Good evening everyone, I thought that I would just add my comments to the tributes to Arnie.
Arnie gave me my start in professional football and he taught me some extremely valueable lessons which I have never ever forgotten. Arnie recruited me as Commercial Manager in 1988 from my position at the Midland Bank and I freely admit that the closeted world of banking was not exactly the best preparation for a career in professional football and I'll own up to being somewhat 'wet between the ears' when I first turned up for work in that old portakabin at Selhurst Park. Arnie recognised this and took me under his wing. In fact, he taught me something in my first week that has stayed with me to this day and which my former staff at Charlton will instantly recognise. Towards the end of that first week as Commercial Manager, I managed to 'sell' an executive box - something that was extremely difficult to do at Selhurst Park. As you can imagine, I was elated and I couldn't wait to tell Arnie my good news. When Arnie arrived - announcing himself with his usual, loud 'afternoon all' greeting - I rushed to tell him the news. 'Arnie, I've sold an Executive Box today'. His reply was not the enthusiastic response that I was expecting - 'is the money in the tin?' he said, taken aback somewhat I said 'well, I only shook hands with the guy this afternoon, I'm sending him an invoice tonight' - to which Arnie then said, 'if the money is not in the tin then you ain't sold it, have you' and then shut his door to 'make a private call'. My immediate reaction was of deflation but I quickly realised that of course, he was absolutely right - nothing is 'sold' until money changes hands.
I firmly believe in the term 'horses for courses' and Arnie was absolutely perfect for Charlton at that time. His friendship and close working relationship with Lennie Lawrence played a huge role in the club's success and his contacts in football were invaluable to the club. The full-time administrative staff at the club at that time numbered less than 10 and although we all had our moments when we cursed Arnie; each and every one of us would have 'run through a brick wall' for him because we all knew that he would do the same for us.
I owe a huge debt to Arnie Warren as without his guidance, encouragement and the invalueable lessons he taught me, I strongly doubt whether I would have survived 21 years in the game.
We kept in touch right up until his illness took hold and I will miss him.
Thanks for the opportunity to let me share these memories with you.
Regards
Steve Sutherland
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Comments
I still have the tie, and still wear it occassionally, mostly a 'soccer' functions.
Derek
Once met, you wouldn't forget him in a hurry.