An enjoyable evening, and could have gone on for much longer. Both Great guests and they were both impressed with the items on display in the Museum, Steve Gritt was keen to Find out about the refs whistle which you can see him with in the picture on page 1. The whistle was donated by Steve dixon and was used in the last home game against Stoke City, the ref on that particular day was M.James(Horsham) Steve manged to get the ref to part with the whistle and has had it ever since, a great addition to the museum.
Steve Gritt Regrets not playing 1st Division football at the Valley. He spoke about his playing days and said he wouldn't have changed the way it was, Football is viewed differently these days but he enjoyed every minute of his career, he mentioned The Leeds play off game and said it was the most hostile enviroment he had come across, it was a game he will probably never forget.
The one goal he will always remember for all the wrong reasons will be the Own Goal against Sheffield wednesday,Charlton went 3-1 up in this game,they eventually lost 5-4 with Gritt scoring the (og) with an awful backpass.
Steve Gritt's Other memorable moment and with out doubt his most remembered will be the Hereford 1 v 1 Brighton relegation Six Pointer at Edgar street to keep Brighton in the football league,at the time Brighton were in debt and also had the issue of the Goldstone ground being sold off,despite everything else that was going on behind the scenes Brighton managed to stay up with an equaliser from Robbie Reinelt who picked up the lose ball which had come off the post to get the vital equaliser, a nail biting finish which will always be remebered by Brighton Fans, Steve is held in high esteem by the Brighton fans and rightly so. This was also a remarkable achievement because Brighton had a spell of winning 10 and drawing 2 out of 12.
When Steve arrived at Charlton it was Colin Powell who he became friends with, Colin and Steve have remained good friends ever since and still meet up on a regular basis.
The tales of smoking In the dressing room, on the coach and even on the bench showed how things have changed.
Indeed, both Steve and Colin commented on the Cigar smoking as well, colin also said as he smoked at the time that the manager wouldn't mind what you did in your own time as long as you performed well on the pitch. I asked Colin if the smoking affected his playing but he said he didn't notice it. Ken Craggs liked a cigar.
We then moved onto how players are different today with the diets and training, Colin spoke about his time at Gillingham and the players sitting down to a roast dinner on a saturday at 12 o'clock, god knows how they ran around after a roast dinner.
Colin talked about Andy Nelson and how much the players liked him, also the fact that Andy came from a tough era, you played for the manager and the team, the manager was respected, in todays game players get rid of managers.
Mike bailey was also well respected, he was a good manager and good in Training, let the players have a drink and the players appreciated that, Mike also brought a lot of experience with him,Wolves were a good side in their day.
A good night, both very funny and had some great memories.
Thanks to Ben for allowing Eltham Addicks to use the museum to hold the meeting, If you haven't yet had the chance to visit the museum then it's worth popping along.
One of the more intimate nights at a supporters meeting. Steve Gritt and Colin Powell were great and made It feel like chatting with old mates. Sounded a real shame Mike Bailey left as the player like his laid back approach, Andy Nelson was strict but knew his tactics well. Having been at the 7-1 defeat at Luton, made me laugh when colin said Mike flanagan on scoring a late consolation goal, urged the boys to keep going us we are back in it now ! lots of laughs with the ex players as they don't have to watch what they say. I really enjoyed the Evening and Ben and co has done a wonderful job in the museum, and fans young and old please go there to see our history from the young 14/15 year olds who started our football club to the recent past.
Really interesting comment that Paddy and the players liked Andy Nelson. Paddy remains my favourite all-time Charlton player and I have always had it in my head that Nelson didn't like him, with the New England fiasco and bringing in Terry Brisley. As such, I didn't like Nelson. Looks like I need to change my opinion.
Telmc32, I thought they said they respected him and felt Nelson knew his tactics, Not sure like was the words i heard last night about Andy. Steve Gritt and Ken Craggs didn't see eye to eye and would have left if Craggs hadn't been sacked. Was great to hear how calm Lennie lawrence was in the Leeds play off games.
Colin was my footballing hero too and luckily I've got to meet him a few times in recent years. Lovely fella Colin and Charlton through & through. I mentioned to him that my favourite game of the Andy Nelson era was the 4-3 Friday night game vs Brighton in '77, when Colin got the winner. Colin was brilliant that night and was obviously on a high the week after, but when the team was announced for the next match away at Blackburn, Colin had been dropped. Unsurprisingly Colin demands an explanation from the Manager and, ever the diplomat, Nelson just turns round to him and says 'You're rubbish away from home!'
@soapboxsam I took the like comment from Badger's post, although it is a mixed post & quote from Henry. Not sure if the quote feature didn't work properly or if Henry amended his original post.
I'd feel better if Paddy didn't like Nelson though...would mean I hadn't got my own dislike wrong over the years!!
Comments
The one goal he will always remember for all the wrong reasons will be the Own Goal against Sheffield wednesday,Charlton went 3-1 up in this game,they eventually lost 5-4 with Gritt scoring the (og) with an awful backpass.
Steve Gritt's Other memorable moment and with out doubt his most remembered will be the Hereford 1 v 1 Brighton relegation Six Pointer at Edgar street to keep Brighton in the football league,at the time Brighton were in debt and also had the issue of the Goldstone ground being sold off,despite everything else that was going on behind the scenes Brighton managed to stay up with an equaliser from Robbie Reinelt who picked up the lose ball which had come off the post to get the vital equaliser, a nail biting finish which will always be remebered by Brighton Fans, Steve is held in high esteem by the Brighton fans and rightly so. This was also a remarkable achievement because Brighton had a spell of winning 10 and drawing 2 out of 12.
When Steve arrived at Charlton it was Colin Powell who he became friends with, Colin and Steve have remained good friends ever since and still meet up on a regular basis.
Steve is now Scouting for Ebbsfleet.
The tales of smoking I the dressing room, on the coach and even on the bench showed how things have changed.
People of Eltham don't know what they are missing. Support your local supporters' group.
Steve Gritt and Colin Powell were great and made
It feel like chatting with old mates. Sounded a real shame Mike Bailey left as the player like his laid back approach, Andy Nelson was strict but knew his tactics well.
Having been at the 7-1 defeat at Luton, made me laugh when colin said Mike flanagan on scoring a late consolation goal, urged the boys to keep going us we are back in it now ! lots of laughs with the ex players as they don't have to watch what they say.
I really enjoyed the Evening and Ben and co has done a wonderful job in the museum, and fans young and old please go there to see our history from the
young 14/15 year olds who started our football club to the recent past.
Not sure like was the words i heard last night about Andy.
Steve Gritt and Ken Craggs didn't see eye to eye and would have left if Craggs hadn't been sacked.
Was great to hear how calm Lennie lawrence was in the Leeds play off games.
Lovely fella Colin and Charlton through & through.
I mentioned to him that my favourite game of the Andy Nelson era was the 4-3 Friday night game vs Brighton in '77, when Colin got the winner.
Colin was brilliant that night and was obviously on a high the week after, but when the team was announced for the next match away at Blackburn, Colin had been dropped.
Unsurprisingly Colin demands an explanation from the Manager and, ever the diplomat, Nelson just turns round to him and says 'You're rubbish away from home!'
I'd feel better if Paddy didn't like Nelson though...would mean I hadn't got my own dislike wrong over the years!!