I met Colin at one of the open days we used to have at Sparrows Lane, my lads were young and chasing around the stars (?) of the day for autographs, I pulled over Colin and got them to ask for his, Colin looked at me and said " they wont want mine, they don't even know who I am " to which I of course replied, " maybe not Colin, but they should and I do, and you are a hero of mine " he smiled, blushed a little, signed and walked off muttering many thanks, still looking very embarrassed..... top man.
Having read through this thread, I entirely agree with all the good praise for Colin, a true honest servant for many decades to our club both on and off the pitch.
I would also add Colin Powell was the best crosser of a ball I have seen play for CAFC a real winger with the added bonus of consistency unusual in a winger.
Involved in all of my earliest memories of Charlton, usually bombing down the wing and getting the crosses in (could do with one of those now ....)
But a nice touch was that when my old man took my daughter down to the club a few years ago to pick up a Young Addicks pack. Paddy saw them, took them out to the pitch and showed them around. Classic example of what's been special about this club over the years.
I've been pretty sanguine about the decisions recently, hoping that they're just the right decisions where we don't know all the facts, but this one seems cheap and unnecessary - he deserved to be custodian of the new pitch in its inaugural year.
as if it were yesterday, i can see the charlton legend that is colin powell, charging down the wing, slinging in an inviting cross for killer to latch onto...magic days at the valley....
Good memories of Colin Powell (not to be confused with the differently pronounced American). I actually remembering him playing for Barnet. I saw him playing when they trounced Gravesend & Northfleet 5-2 (maybe 5-1) and Colin Powell was the man that ran G&N ragged. Shortly afterwards, he joined Charlton and proved a good signing. He took apart one or two very good full backs in his day - Eddie McCreadie, I seem to remember, had a torrid time against him (though it might have been another high quality full back that others can correct me about). He's been a loyal servant to the club and much admired by all.
Good memories of Colin Powell (not to be confused with the differently pronounced American). I actually remembering him playing for Barnet. I saw him playing when they trounced Gravesend & Northfleet 5-2 (maybe 5-1) and Colin Powell was the man that ran G&N ragged. Shortly afterwards, he joined Charlton and proved a good signing. He took apart one or two very good full backs in his day - Eddie McCreadie, I seem to remember, had a torrid time against him (though it might have been another high quality full back that others can correct me about). He's been a loyal servant to the club and much admired by all.
Don't know about McCreadie, but I remember him tearing QPR's England fullback Ian Gillard to shreads. I also saw him play for Barnet in a friendly against us. Paddy ripped us apart and scored two goals that night as I recall. We signed him soon afterwards.
Good memories of Colin Powell (not to be confused with the differently pronounced American). I actually remembering him playing for Barnet. I saw him playing when they trounced Gravesend & Northfleet 5-2 (maybe 5-1) and Colin Powell was the man that ran G&N ragged. Shortly afterwards, he joined Charlton and proved a good signing. He took apart one or two very good full backs in his day - Eddie McCreadie, I seem to remember, had a torrid time against him (though it might have been another high quality full back that others can correct me about). He's been a loyal servant to the club and much admired by all.
Don't know about McCreadie, but I remember him tearing QPR's England fullback Ian Gillard to shreads. I also saw him play for Barnet in a friendly against us. Paddy ripped us apart and scored two goals that night as I recall. We signed him soon afterwards.
I've got a feeling it was Ian Gillard and not Eddie McCreadie. I used to have a brain once.
Remember Paddy very well .....pushing the ball past the defender then sprint up the pitch side/Red track and wiz past him and lay on chances .....he was one of the most exciting players at the Valley in my time ......
I remember first seeing Paddy play(all those years ago)and he was a revelation,the best winger we had seen for a long time.Fast,direct,tricky,taking the full back on and planting perfect crosses for some of our greatest strikers to do the simple part.He had a storming game in a 4-1 win on a New Year's Day against a good Colchester team when we were in the old division one and going for promotion.One of my all-time favourites and a Charlton legend. Wish you well Paddy for the future and thank you so much for all the happy memories.
Mate, there has been some lovely comments left here about Paddy. Could you see he gets to read them ?
Yes mate, fantastic comments. I love some of the old stories. He knows about the thread but hasn't seen it yet. I will make sure he sees it tommorrow !
He had the ability to take the ball closer than most to the defender. A dip of the shoulder or shimmy of the hips would leave the defender for dead and Paddy was away having "bought" a yard or two.
He was no slouch but not exceptional in terms of pure pace but as I've described his exceptional skill gave him a start on defenders which created an illusion of pace.
For those too young to have seen him play the nearest to Paddy I can think of is grainy old black and white footage of Stanley Matthews in the 1953 FA Cup final. He too had the ability to take the ball really close to a defender before comprehensively beating him.
The beer I've drunk tonight might mean might give an element of nicking Oggy's rose tinted spectacles but even so Paddy was a special player for us and I say that having watched us for the best part of a decade in the Premiership and seen a few matches of our first division time at Selhurst.
You deserve ever one of these words of praise Paddy. Many thanks for all the pleasure you gave as an Addick, and for all your hard work as our 'Special' groundsman.
Those were the days. Think I preferred that era even more than the Premiership days. My late Dad and I were going crazy on the East terrace. Seeing Brian Moore there reminded me that I met him as a teenager and asked for his autograph, he handed it back and thanked me. People were much more polite in those days, before stupid money took over.
Some absolutely cracking memories dragged out of the dusty vaults of my memory on this thread. Seeing that goal of Killers again summed up Paddy as a player perfectly. He must have sprinted the entire diagonal of the pitch to make up the ground and finished with a perfect cross for Halesy to smash home. I hope he bought you a beer Colin if you do find yourself reading these messages!
After reading all the comments this morning, I can honestly say they bought a tear to the eye. Such lovely words and great stories, I am really touched. So much has changed at CAFC over the years, but the one consistent is the loyal support. The support I have received, firstly as a player, then as groundsman has been second to none. Hopefully I will still be down The Valley on matchday so I won't be a stranger ! Once again, many Thanks.
After reading all the comments this morning, I can honestly say they bought a tear to the eye. Such lovely words and great stories, I am really touched. So much has changed at CAFC over the years, but the one consistent is the loyal support. The support I have received, firstly as a player, then as groundsman has been second to none. Hopefully I will still be down The Valley on matchday so I won't be a stranger ! Once again, many Thanks.
Are you David NWC?
I watched you play a few times for Margate if you are.
After reading all the comments this morning, I can honestly say they bought a tear to the eye. Such lovely words and great stories, I am really touched. So much has changed at CAFC over the years, but the one consistent is the loyal support. The support I have received, firstly as a player, then as groundsman has been second to none. Hopefully I will still be down The Valley on matchday so I won't be a stranger ! Once again, many Thanks.
Are you David NWC?
I watched you play a few times for Margate if you are.
Chip off the old block.
Yes mate, don't know about chip off the old block. Didn't have the old mans pace I'm afraid !
After reading all the comments this morning, I can honestly say they bought a tear to the eye. Such lovely words and great stories, I am really touched. So much has changed at CAFC over the years, but the one consistent is the loyal support. The support I have received, firstly as a player, then as groundsman has been second to none. Hopefully I will still be down The Valley on matchday so I won't be a stranger ! Once again, many Thanks.
Are you David NWC?
I watched you play a few times for Margate if you are.
Chip off the old block.
Yes mate, don't know about chip off the old block. Didn't have the old mans pace I'm afraid !
You could beat a man though which reminded me of him.
What a lovely message from Paddy. This is why we keep on being loyal to Charlton, every so often we get a gem like him playing for us. Hope to see him on a match day at The Valley next season and thanks again to him for all he did as a player and groundsman.
People often say this or that person is a 'diamond', but in Paddy's case it couldn't be more apt. Seriously good player, and for many fans of that era was worth the entrance fee alone. Loads of great memories, but one that stands out is his winner in arguably the greatest ever evening game at the 'old' Valley when we beat Brighton 4-3. Everything about that game was so perfect, so right, so Charlton, so The Valley, and Colin Powell's play, and his winner, epitomised the beauty of that occasion.
Comments
Took this at Bromley Addicks last month. Great guy and I wish him well.
I would also add Colin Powell was the best crosser of a ball I have seen play for CAFC a real winger with the added bonus of consistency unusual in a winger.
Bet Paddy will miss getting Chris Powells fan mail, then again Chris powell kept getting Colin Powells Gardening Mags.
But a nice touch was that when my old man took my daughter down to the club a few years ago to pick up a Young Addicks pack. Paddy saw them, took them out to the pitch and showed them around. Classic example of what's been special about this club over the years.
I've been pretty sanguine about the decisions recently, hoping that they're just the right decisions where we don't know all the facts, but this one seems cheap and unnecessary - he deserved to be custodian of the new pitch in its inaugural year.
Good luck, Paddy!
Ian Gillard to shreads. I also saw him play for Barnet in a friendly against us. Paddy ripped us apart and scored two goals that night as I recall. We signed him soon afterwards.
Mate, there has been some lovely comments left here about Paddy. Could you see he gets to read them ?
Wish you well Paddy for the future and thank you so much for all the happy memories.
He was no slouch but not exceptional in terms of pure pace but as I've described his exceptional skill gave him a start on defenders which created an illusion of pace.
For those too young to have seen him play the nearest to Paddy I can think of is grainy old black and white footage of Stanley Matthews in the 1953 FA Cup final. He too had the ability to take the ball really close to a defender before comprehensively beating him.
The beer I've drunk tonight might mean might give an element of nicking Oggy's rose tinted spectacles but even so Paddy was a special player for us and I say that having watched us for the best part of a decade in the Premiership and seen a few matches of our first division time at Selhurst.
Found this footage of Stanley Matthews.
Many thanks for all the pleasure you gave as an Addick,
and for all your hard work as our 'Special' groundsman.
Respect to ya pal for doing that
Thanks again for everything Paddy.
After reading all the comments this morning, I can honestly say they bought a tear to the eye. Such lovely words and great stories, I am really touched. So much has changed at CAFC over the years, but the one consistent is the loyal support. The support I have received, firstly as a player, then as groundsman has been second to none. Hopefully I will still be down The Valley on matchday so I won't be a stranger !
Once again, many Thanks.
I watched you play a few times for Margate if you are.
Chip off the old block.
Seriously good player, and for many fans of that era was worth the entrance fee alone. Loads of great memories, but one that stands out is his winner in arguably the greatest ever evening game at the 'old' Valley when we beat Brighton 4-3. Everything about that game was so perfect, so right, so Charlton, so The Valley, and Colin Powell's play, and his winner, epitomised the beauty of that occasion.