I know that many of you will be very sad to hear the news that Bernard Wickham passed away this morning. Bernard was a great friend, not just to me personally but also to Charlton Athletic FC. He was a North Stand Patron and he was the driving force behind the establishment of a thriving Former Players Association.
Bernard was an extremely kind and generous man with a huge sense of fun and each matchday he would have as his guest at least one Club legend. Bernard was responsible for originally introducing me to my absolute Charlton hero - Eddie Firmani, who was a great friend of Bernard's.
I have some great memories of Bernard and in particular of the fantastic times we had on our annual CAFC Veterans' Tours but especially our Llanera-sponsored trip to Hong Kong to take part in the famous 'Hong Kong 7's' veterans tournament. I've attached a photo of Bernard at the Hong Kong 7's with me, Garry Nelson's wife Tracey, Ex England star Peter Beardsley and Bernard's son Tim, who my thoughts are with today.
It's a sad day.
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Only met him a couple of times but seemed a really nice guy who did some fantastic work keeping former players as 'part of the club'.
RIP Bernard
Had the pleasure of spending a day with him last year. The tales he told were great.
One if the nicest guys you could meet. A proper gentleman.
We will miss him greatly.
RIP.
Bernard was always a great help in getting me ex players along to talk at City Addicks' meetings. A lovely kind man who loved a chat.
He was at the last Eltham Addicks meeting as we had a quick chat across the bar.
Thanks for letting us know Steve.
Brenda
RIP
He told me he was unwell and having treatment but it was only last week I was told how serious his illness was. I'm still shocked to hear that he has gone and so quickly.
A lovely man, out-going, friendly, always seemed to be laughing and knew just about every former Charlton player there is.
Always willing to help hence him being given life time membership of Bromley Addicks.
A real loss personally and to Charlton.
Like Suthers it was Bernard who arranged a meal at a Downham indian for me and a few other Addicks to meet Eddie Firmani. SUch sad news.
Steve, can you let me have the funeral details when you know them please.
thoughts are with his family
I shared an office with him for a brief time several years ago. I was actually out of work at the time and was using his company's office as a base in the City to help me find gainful re-employment. Don't think I ever spoke to him about insurance, just CAFC. He invited me for a drink once and he was accompanied by Garry Nelson, which was a bit of a surprise.
I can only reiterate the comments above. He would have made an excellent fans director in the days that such a post existed but I can only think that he wasn't interested.
RIP Bernard. A true Addick.
I worked with Bernard many years ago when he was an insurance broker at CT Bowring. We shared some great stories every Monday morning about how the game had gone on the previous Saturday. He was an Addick through and through and a thoroughly perfect gentleman.
I caught up with him several years later when he was involved in the former players association and saw him several times at the valley, and he always had time for quick chat and catch up.
Bernard, you were an asset to the club and will be sorely missed.
R.I.P.
If there is to be any floral contribution or otherwise I would like to be involved.
I was privileged to have known Bernard over the past couple of years during which time he arranged for Eddie Youds, Mark Bright, Sasa Ilic, Derek Hales and Phil Warman to attend NWKA meetings. He was also an unsung hero for the hard work he put in for last December's BTTV dinner with the majority of former players attending as a result of Bernard's contact.
I had quite a bit of contact with Bernard leading up to our January Q & A with Gritty & Browny and although I knew he had been ill since around Christmas time, was unaware of the severity . I am proud to say that we emailed each other as "Dear Friend" - to be a friend of this great man was truly an honour.
He once told me that he had the best "job" in the world.....players he used to idolise were now his friends & who could ask for more than that ?
Bernard will be sadly missed & my thoughts are with his lovely wife , who I met last December, and the rest of his family.
He will always be at The Valley in spirit alongside another departed friend, Colin Cameron.
Sleep tight, dear friend.
Bernard was responsible for some of the best moments I have had at Charlton Live in recent years as he introduced me to legend after legend.
But more than that, he was a warm, genuine, generous man who had time for everyone and I feel extremely priveleged to have known him.
Rest in Peace Bernard.
Been a great help with Charlton Live too with getting us guests.
RIP Bernard, I will not forget you.
RIP Bernard
Our thoughts are with your family and friends.
Ray
Listening to him rib Theo F and Harry Gregory was always great fun.
He and his Former Players' Association work is mentioned appreciatively by Garry Nelson in his book, and many of the former players he tracked down and invited back were very grateful to Bernard for bringing them back into the CAFC family.
We are going to miss him enormously.
CAFC have lost a true friend.