Along with Deano, Rufus is my favourite player to wear the Charlton Red. Absolute hero of a player, and as mentioned many times....that tackle against Spurs!!!
Like his initials a real Rolls Royce of a defender. Scored his first ever goal in a vital Wembley final .. you couldn't make it up. Reputedly in strife with another ex Charlton defender who was forced by injury into retirement. Irrespective of the rights and wrongs, I know whose 'side' I am on
Best Centre back ever who did not get a cap, what would he be worth today ?
If Rio was worth £30m in 2002, if he played today, I reckon about at least the same, must be. back then I say about £15m but because he played for charlton, no one would have paid what he was worth. always the same story with big and so called "small" teams sadly.
It seems extraordinary by today's standards he didnt get a call up. But Back then you had the likes of Campbell, Ferdinand, Southgate, Terry that were in front of him and had just as much talent but had more international experience/potential.
Best Centre Half I've ever seen play for Charlton, and all round nice guy. Sadly he had to pack up playing far too young, same as Super Clive and Andy Hunt. Why are we so unlucky with these great players!
Remember when he broke into the first team as a youngster, some of the tackles he was making were exceptional. Remember him a fair few times being yards away from the striker and slide tackling from behind just as the striker was going to pull the trigger and still coming away with the ball. Magnificent player.
I can't remember but did he ever play alongside Costa?
I know they were at the club at the same time, but I think Len might be right about not actually playing together Kind of hope i'm wrong though. Wonder what it would've been like if they played together for about a season or 2
It seems extraordinary by today's standards he didnt get a call up. But Back then you had the likes of Campbell, Ferdinand, Southgate, Terry that were in front of him and had just as much talent but had more international experience/potential.
Big club syndrome - certainly played a part in Johnny H never getting a call up, but around the time Rufus was in serious contention another Charlton player won five caps for England.
What I think counted against RR wasn't his defending skills which were never in doubt, but his poor distribution once he'd won the ball.
Rufus was unlucky that his serious injuries were relatively soon after Sven took over. Under Sven, more players were capped, and from more different clubs. Powell, Luke Young, Konch, Parker were all capped under Sven (I think) so there was no 'anti Charlton bias'.
With Barcelona the shining light in European football in recent years, kids growing up nowadays want to be the next Lionel Messi and Rufus told KSN how he hopes to coach the next generation to play football in a similar style:
Incidentally, I'm surprised the soccer elite website doesn't mention Rufus, as he's by far the most 'famous' person on their coaching books. https://soccerelitefa.com/coaches/
Incidentally, I'm surprised the soccer elite website doesn't mention Rufus, as he's by far the most 'famous' person on their coaching books. https://soccerelitefa.com/coaches/
A lot of those coaches are ex Gillingham one way or the other.
I can't remember but did he ever play alongside Costa?
Young Fish Costa Fortune
I think Costa came in because he (Rufus) was injured along with Steve Brown and others at the time so we were down to the "bare bones"
So the answer to your question, I think, is "no"
The answer to the question is yes.
For example the great challenge at Spurs from Rufus which as proven by this thread is still talked about by some people today had both Rufus & Costa playing
They do, but not posted on the coaches page. He joined end of Jan after participating in a charity match. Having trouble posting link, google richard rufus soccer elite and you will see some related posts shown. One mentions the charity match and another taking some coaching sessions.
Spot on BFR, loved Rufus but never England class, just didn't have enough quality with the ball at his feet. Great tackler, but when in possession I just wanted him to get rid.
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Was England quality, however back then call ups seemed a lot harder to come by (as they should be). Nowadays, they get given out like rolos.
but because he played for charlton, no one would have paid what he was worth. always the same story with big and so called "small" teams sadly.
Sadly he had to pack up playing far too young, same as Super Clive and Andy Hunt.
Why are we so unlucky with these great players!
Remember when he broke into the first team as a youngster, some of the tackles he was making were exceptional. Remember him a fair few times being yards away from the striker and slide tackling from behind just as the striker was going to pull the trigger and still coming away with the ball. Magnificent player.
I think Costa came in because he (Rufus) was injured along with Steve Brown and others at the time so we were down to the "bare bones"
So the answer to your question, I think, is "no"
Kind of hope i'm wrong though. Wonder what it would've been like if they played together for about a season or 2
Big club syndrome - certainly played a part in Johnny H never getting a call up, but around the time Rufus was in serious contention another Charlton player won five caps for England.
What I think counted against RR wasn't his defending skills which were never in doubt, but his poor distribution once he'd won the ball.
https://soccerelitefa.com/coaches/
Only joking! My favourite player, as you might guess from my username
For example the great challenge at Spurs from Rufus which as proven by this thread is still talked about by some people today had both Rufus & Costa playing