Good luck John I remember going to his Testimonial as a young lad and whingeing because they had doubled the price of the programme from sixpence to a shilling. Remember him best from that year Firmani came back and we finished 4th. That team still rolls off the tongue: - Rose, Hewie, Kinsey; Bailey, Haydock, Tocknell; Kenning, Matthews, Firmani, Edwards, Glover
john hewie was my dad's first heroic player introduction to me when he advised, "you support the team you are born nearest to." he then went through the team and john hewie already stood out as just, legend.
Like others I have read about John Hewie’s latest battle and wish him and his family well.
I have been researching John’s amazing career and in particular how his Scots parentage, Charlton Athletic’s Scottish doctor and manager Jimmy Seed led to him playing for Scotland. He wasn’t the first South African to play for Scotland but certainly the first to play in a World Cup Finals. In the Finals in Sweden in 1958 his legendary versatility led him to be “appointed” by Tommy Docherty to be the player who would play in goal if the ‘keeper was injured and would also be the penalty taker.
In 1956 the Scottish Football Association had invited Jimmy Seed to put together a South Africa XI from players playing in the United Kingdom to play a Scotland XI. The South Africa XI included four Addicks - O'Linn, Hewie, Chamberlain and Leary. John played a blinder and in just ten words a Glasgow newspaper signalled John’s Scotland cap was not far away. It said “He reduced Smith to the level of an ordinary player.” Smith was Gordon Smith the wonderfully gifted Scottish winger and a member of Hibernian’s legendary “Famous Five”. I think it would take a long search through newspaper archives to find another full back with a similar accolade when facing Gordon Smith! Indeed, John’s first cap was just a month away and Gordon was on the wing and the same side this time!
Tommy Docherty seemed to play a part in John’s career. First, openingly welcoming him on his first visit to Scotland to play in a “B” International in Edinburgh. Finally, according to this forum, providing the Chelsea team for his first benefit game and then playing in the second benefit the year later.
I am very happy to share what I have with anyone dealing with your history. It is written with a “tartan tinge” but there may be a few bits of new information.
I have taken the photograph on the forum of John’s Scotland shirt that is in the Museum. I hope that is OK? Is there a good action picture of John that is free to use?
Finally, a specific question. I read that when playing up front in a game John scored a hat-trick? Is that correct?
Thanks for the approval on the photograph and for looking out an action shot. I was looking to see if I could send you a personal message via the forum with an e-mail address. I couldn't find how to do it. Is that possible?
@bluedragon - for a brief action shot of John please find on here a recent thread about Woolwich in 1964. It is a film and shortly after the start there is a short section on CAFC (the match is vs Norwich on 11 Apr 64) and you will easily spot the great man. SE18:Impressions of a London suburb (1964)
John was at right back when I started following Charlton in the early sixties, alongside Brian Kinsey. He was the sort of full back that gave nothing less than 100%, and was a real gent off the pitch, always signing autographs after the game and at training sessions.
He was a bit of a Stevie Brown in some respects and could play in other positions when needed, I remember him covering at centre-half for one game.
This is such a dreadful illness and a shame to see such a great bloke in this position. I hope his family can make him as comfortable as possible, and if they do read any of this, it was a real pleasure to have seen John play.
Thanks for the film clip. As you say instantly recognisable - very tall. Man-at-Milletts - I am going to nick the second sentence from your first paragraph - a real fan's description.
The seminal book on Scottish internationals describes him as "full-back chiefly but extremely versatile, able to play anywhere in the half-back line and to lead the attack. Very tall, so good in the air, while his long legs loped over the ground at an appreciable rate of knots. Confident and sure with his kicking. "
The same book credits John with a Scottish Under 23 cap but I cannot find it. Scotland's first U23 international was in February 1955 and John was already a B cap and would have been too old.
I think I am right in saying that Hewie wore every shirt number except 11 for Charlton. Anyone know for sure?
I am pretty sure he managed the full set, but I'm not able to access Home and Away for a week or so. A very interesting question and we owe him finding the answer.
I also began watching Charlton in 1963 and the team quoted by Six A Bag Of Nuts brings back great memories.Some classy players there and none more so than John Hewie.Calm and authoritative,a thoughtful player who did everything so well.I wish John and his family the very best and hope his illness can be managed comfortably and carefully for him.Good luck John and thank you so much for all you gave to the club and its supporters.
I think I am right in saying that Hewie wore every shirt number except 11 for Charlton. Anyone know for sure?
My John Hewie testimonial programme has gone awol but, if memory serves me right, I believe it set out his appearances with each shirt number and I don't think he wore 7 or 11 but he did all the others.
I'm another of 1963 vintage but can still remember him looking a class above. My late grandfather was scathing of most of the players in that first season 62/63 but always rated John Hewie I remember.
I think I am right in saying that Hewie wore every shirt number except 11 for Charlton. Anyone know for sure?
My John Hewie testimonial programme has gone awol but, if memory serves me right, I believe it set out his appearances with each shirt number and I don't think he wore 7 or 11 but he did all the others.
I'm another of 1963 vintage but can still remember him looking a class above. My late grandfather was scathing of most of the players in that first season 62/63 but always rated John Hewie I remember.
I'm sure I've still got the John Hewie testimonial programme. I'm away at the GF's at the moment but can check it out when I get home.
RE: the music idea. Some years ago my mother suffered serious dementia and eventually had to be cared for in a home. The only times she showed any sign of remembering 'the outside world' was when we visited and my daughter played old songs and tunes for her on the home's piano, she even remembered some of the words: that's proof enough for me that it can work. Unfortunately most homes seem to think that leaving the TV on all day is enough.
Comments
I remember going to his Testimonial as a young lad and whingeing because they had doubled the price of the programme from sixpence to a shilling.
Remember him best from that year Firmani came back and we finished 4th. That team still rolls off the tongue: -
Rose, Hewie, Kinsey; Bailey, Haydock, Tocknell; Kenning, Matthews, Firmani, Edwards, Glover
I have been researching John’s amazing career and in particular how his Scots parentage, Charlton Athletic’s Scottish doctor and manager Jimmy Seed led to him playing for Scotland. He wasn’t the first South African to play for Scotland but certainly the first to play in a World Cup Finals. In the Finals in Sweden in 1958 his legendary versatility led him to be “appointed” by Tommy Docherty to be the player who would play in goal if the ‘keeper was injured and would also be the penalty taker.
In 1956 the Scottish Football Association had invited Jimmy Seed to put together a South Africa XI from players playing in the United Kingdom to play a Scotland XI. The South Africa XI included four Addicks - O'Linn, Hewie, Chamberlain and Leary. John played a blinder and in just ten words a Glasgow newspaper signalled John’s Scotland cap was not far away. It said “He reduced Smith to the level of an ordinary player.” Smith was Gordon Smith the wonderfully gifted Scottish winger and a member of Hibernian’s legendary “Famous Five”. I think it would take a long search through newspaper archives to find another full back with a similar accolade when facing Gordon Smith! Indeed, John’s first cap was just a month away and Gordon was on the wing and the same side this time!
Tommy Docherty seemed to play a part in John’s career. First, openingly welcoming him on his first visit to Scotland to play in a “B” International in Edinburgh. Finally, according to this forum, providing the Chelsea team for his first benefit game and then playing in the second benefit the year later.
I am very happy to share what I have with anyone dealing with your history. It is written with a “tartan tinge” but there may be a few bits of new information.
I have taken the photograph on the forum of John’s Scotland shirt that is in the Museum. I hope that is OK? Is there a good action picture of John that is free to use?
Finally, a specific question. I read that when playing up front in a game John scored a hat-trick? Is that correct?
Would love to see and read more so we can add it to the museum archives.
We will have a look for an action shot of Hewie for you.
How can I contact you direct?
He was a bit of a Stevie Brown in some respects and could play in other positions when needed, I remember him covering at centre-half for one game.
This is such a dreadful illness and a shame to see such a great bloke in this position. I hope his family can make him as comfortable as possible, and if they do read any of this, it was a real pleasure to have seen John play.
The seminal book on Scottish internationals describes him as "full-back chiefly but extremely versatile, able to play anywhere in the half-back line and to lead the attack. Very tall, so good in the air, while his long legs loped over the ground at an appreciable rate of knots. Confident and sure with his kicking. "
The same book credits John with a Scottish Under 23 cap but I cannot find it. Scotland's first U23 international was in February 1955 and John was already a B cap and would have been too old.
I'm another of 1963 vintage but can still remember him looking a class above. My late grandfather was scathing of most of the players in that first season 62/63 but always rated John Hewie I remember.
I'm away at the GF's at the moment but can check it out when I get home.
Blast from the past
http://www.tfgsoccerclub.co.za/shorts/on-guard/
Played in nine out of eleven positions according to this