Am going up to Lincolnshire soon to video interview him, if anyone's got any questions am happy to ask on your behalf just let me know or email info@charltonchoicetv.co.uk
After the relegation of 1957, did he ever hanker after leaving for a first division club, especially after the dramatic near miss on promotion in '57/'58? If so, what was it about Charlton that persuaded him to stay?
Also please thank him for his great efforts for the team, he was a great favourite of both my dad and myself.
Did he watch the BBC film "United" which featured Bobby Charlton's debut against us? if so did he feel that he was one of the Charlton players portrayed in the tunnel before or after the match?
And the same thanks from me, even though I only saw him as a toddler. My Dad took me the first time and said he's the one decent player we have.
Being a mere youngster at the time, I don't have clear memories of seeing Long John Hewie play for Charlton - but I do remember regularly going along to Park View Road to see the then 40 year old Hewie as player-manager for Southern League Bexley United around 1967/68.
Other players that I can remember playing for Bexley United were ex-Charlton winger Eddie Werge; Dickie Wheeler in midfield with his 'George Best' hairstyle; and Colin Knott and Vic Akers at full back, who managed the Arsenal Ladies team until recently.
So my question to him would be .........what were his hopes and reasons for managing Bexley United and playing for them - and what recollections of matches and players has he from those times??
1. What did it feel like when you first played for Scotland, a Country you were not born in / had lived in? What was the reaction of the other players & fans to you?
2. How did playing in front of big crowd at the Valley compare to playing at Hamden?
3. Had it been possible to play at the World Cup for South Africa would you have chosen them rather than Scotland?
4. What were your feelings about the departure of Jimmy Seed?
Can you ask big John 1) The background to his selection as goalkeeper ( It was in the 3-1 home win over Plymouth 1962 season because he wore a blue jersey that day as all keepers wore royal green and Plymouth played in green - British goalies seemed to wear yellow only in international matches in those days). 2) What the Hampden roar was like in front of 120,000 passionate Scots. 3) Does he think he could've cleared the new West stand with one of his clearances, as the old grandstand was no problem for him.............on second thoughts don't ask that!
Just been down the shed looking for something and spotted an old pile of programmes. Quite by chance one of the top ones was v. Swansea Town, 28th.December 1963, and 'Club Notes' include the following:
'All being well, our popular right-back John Hewie will be making his 450th League and Cup appearance in today's game...........John has appeared in nine different League positions for the Club, a record which very few first-class professionals can equal. Some years ago he was Scotland's first choice left-back and in all he made something like 17 international appearances.'
'Never shall we forget the period in April 1962 when John stepped into the breach when Willie Duff and Frank Reed were injured. Without any previous experience as a goalkeeper, Hewie took over between the posts for four vital League games, and it is to John's everlasting credit that not one of those games was lost.'
After a brief return to South Africa in 1960 he came back to Charlton..........'and one of his first game at the Valley was against Swansea Town . He played right-half in a Charlton team that won 6-2 (Lawrie 3, Leary 2, Summers 1). It is rather remarkable that of the team that played that game three years ago, only Hewie, Tocknell and Edwards are still on the club's books.'
Charlton won this game too, 3-1 with Kenning, Matthews and Firmani scoring in a team that also included Len Gloverat outside left.
The programme also mentions that we beat Bexley United in the Metropolitan League 2-1, (were you there Oggy?), and also has an item about Seth Plum, but I can't think of anyone who'd be interested in that, can you?
Did he watch the BBC film "United" which featured Bobby Charlton's debut against us? if so did he feel that he was one of the Charlton players portrayed in the tunnel before or after the match?
And the same thanks from me, even though I only saw him as a toddler. My Dad took me the first time and said he's the one decent player we have.
And was the Charlton team really as old and unfit as the BBC made them look?
He was before my time, but know my Dad thought highly of him. Quite amazing stats as a stand-in goalie!
I'd be interested to know if he still follows Charlton's results, and what he thinks of a fellow international left back as manager?
1963: John Hewie and Eddie Werge (then at Palace) used to take football training at Samuel Pepys Secondary Modern in Brockley. My dad (Bill Barber) was a Geography Teacher there and brought me home an autograph book completed by both Charlton and Palace players. (Palace not considered as any kind of rival being Div.3).
Does John remember being mobbed by Charlton fans after he played in goal against Plymouth Argyle on 7th April, 1962. We won 3-1 in front of a 20,000 crowd. John played four games in goal that April and we didn't lose any of them.
My first season supporting Charlton and John was one of my first heroes.
Comments
He played everywhere except outside right and outside left for Charlton I believe.
Which position was his personal preference?
After the relegation of 1957, did he ever hanker after leaving for a first division club, especially after the dramatic near miss on promotion in '57/'58? If so, what was it about Charlton that persuaded him to stay?
Also please thank him for his great efforts for the team, he was a great favourite of both my dad and myself.
Please ask Long John what his memories are of the famous 7-6 as he played a big part in that.
It would also be interesting to find out how he was so good in goal.He was selected in goal for several matches when we had injuries.
Being a mere youngster at the time, I don't have clear memories of seeing Long John Hewie play for Charlton - but I do remember regularly going along to Park View Road to see the then 40 year old Hewie as player-manager for Southern League Bexley United around 1967/68.
Other players that I can remember playing for Bexley United were ex-Charlton winger Eddie Werge; Dickie Wheeler in midfield with his 'George Best' hairstyle; and Colin Knott and Vic Akers at full back, who managed the Arsenal Ladies team until recently.
So my question to him would be .........what were his hopes and reasons for managing Bexley United and playing for them - and what recollections of matches and players has he from those times??
Who did he regard as the best player he played with at Charlton?
Who did he regard as the best opponent he played against?
More controversially what did he make of the departure of Stuart Leary and Frank Hill's attitude?
Finally, as others have said, please thank him for his efforts for Charlton over the years.
Just been down the shed looking for something and spotted an old pile of programmes. Quite by chance one of the top ones was v. Swansea Town, 28th.December 1963, and 'Club Notes' include the following:
'All being well, our popular right-back John Hewie will be making his 450th League and Cup appearance in today's game...........John has appeared in nine different League positions for the Club, a record which very few first-class professionals can equal. Some years ago he was Scotland's first choice left-back and in all he made something like 17 international appearances.'
'Never shall we forget the period in April 1962 when John stepped into the breach when Willie Duff and Frank Reed were injured. Without any previous experience as a goalkeeper, Hewie took over between the posts for four vital League games, and it is to John's everlasting credit that not one of those games was lost.'
After a brief return to South Africa in 1960 he came back to Charlton..........'and one of his first game at the Valley was against Swansea Town . He played right-half in a Charlton team that won 6-2 (Lawrie 3, Leary 2, Summers 1). It is rather remarkable that of the team that played that game three years ago, only Hewie, Tocknell and Edwards are still on the club's books.'
Charlton won this game too, 3-1 with Kenning, Matthews and Firmani scoring in a team that also included Len Gloverat outside left.
The programme also mentions that we beat Bexley United in the Metropolitan League 2-1, (were you there Oggy?), and also has an item about Seth Plum, but I can't think of anyone who'd be interested in that, can you?
He was before my time, but know my Dad thought highly of him. Quite amazing stats as a stand-in goalie!
I'd be interested to know if he still follows Charlton's results, and what he thinks of a fellow international left back as manager?
My first season supporting Charlton and John was one of my first heroes.
They don't make 'em like Long John anymore.