Cannot believe the sad news of Ray's passing. A true Charlton legend and a great favourite of mine. As others have said, a fantastic partnership with the incredible Matt Tees - one of the best strike forces I can remember in 52 years of following this great club. Surely he must be inducted into the Hall of Fame without question or delay.
RIP Ray. Never toebe forgotten by me and all other Addicks of my vintage.
My dear old dad first took me to the Valley in August 1968. By then my family had long moved to North London from Lewisham and - wash your mouth out - I was growing up with a soft spot for Tottenham.
A few visits to the Valley in the 68/69 season and I was hooked. I just had to follow in the family footsteps and support Charlton. And it was Ray Treacy, probably more than anyone else in that team, who became my first Charlton hero.
Slight in frame and stature, he could leap like a gazelle and constantly outjumped far bigger defenders - probably a bit like Igor does today. Formed a great partnership with Matt Tees and the two of them were a real handful.
I can remember being absolutely was gutted when he was sold to Swindon. Still it was good training for all the other disappointments I have suffered over the years watching our star players depart.
Like many others of a certain age, that 68/69 team remains one of my all time Charlton favourites. It is so sad that Ray Treacy now joins Bob Curtis looking down on the Valley from a great height. RIP Ray.
I can still remember all his great goals - Derby, Fulham, the Palace cup goal (he got both in our 2-0 win that night) - all screamers. I got his autograph in 1968, and he was a shy, but nice man. RIP Ray.
Really sad news . May you RIP Ray, and join up with Bob Curtis , looking down on The Valley together, knowing you will both be always remembered as our heroes.
Tragic. He was one of my favourite players. I remember him scoring a typical 25-yarder at Fulham and a home fan said "Bet he couldn't do that again!" Wrong, about two minutes later he did the same, unfortunately this one hit the bar. Cue silence from the Cottager! RIP Ray.
Just about caught the end of his career. Though I was very young, I can remember he was revered amongst the supporters, including my Dad, who was not given to dishing out undue praise. RIP Ray - you will not be forgotten.
Those of us of a certain age will never forget the goal v Derby, can still see it now, 2nd half kicking into the covered end, murky winter afternoon under floodlights, ball came out to Treacy outside the penalty box the sweetest volley into the top left corner looking out from The Covered End. Wasn't the game on ITVs Big Match ? Wonder if there's film of the goal somewhere ?
RIP Ray & condolences to his family & friends
I agree - I’m sure it was on TV too. Brian Clough’s side were already nailed on for promotion and I remember Cloughie saying that based on the evidence he’d witnessed that day, Charlton would accompany him to the first division. I even started to believe, but sadly it wasn’t to be … character building stuff though.
I’ve scoured youtube looking for that goal but alas no joy.
Was not my era so did not see Ray play but would be interested to know from those that had the pleasure of watching him who they would compare him to in playing style? Current forwards at the club or past.
Really sad news . May you RIP Ray, and join up with Bob Curtis , looking down on The Valley together, knowing you will both be always remembered as our heroes.
Don't forget to include centre half Johnny Keirs from that team, even though he often shared the number 12 shirt with Denis Booth.
Those of us of a certain age will never forget the goal v Derby, can still see it now, 2nd half kicking into the covered end, murky winter afternoon under floodlights, ball came out to Treacy outside the penalty box the sweetest volley into the top left corner looking out from The Covered End. Wasn't the game on ITVs Big Match ? Wonder if there's film of the goal somewhere ?
RIP Ray & condolences to his family & friends
I agree - I’m sure it was on TV too. Brian Clough’s side were already nailed on for promotion and I remember Cloughie saying that based on the evidence he’d witnessed that day, Charlton would accompany him to the first division. I even started to believe, but sadly it wasn’t to be … character building stuff though.
I’ve scoured youtube looking for that goal but alas no joy.
Correct - it was on TV and I seem to recall it won ITVs The Big Match Goal of the Season.
It was a great season except for two things:
1. We came third when the top two were promoted (and there were no play offs back then)
2. Those stripey shits from Surrey finished 2nd, ahead of us.
Ray Treacy was also my early Charlton hero. He scored the only goal, a typical header, in the second game I saw at the Valley - against Huddersfield, early in that special 68/69 season. A few years later, when I was at University in Hull, I watched him score a hat trick at Boothferry Park, a rare cause for celebration in a relegation season. RIP.
Was not my era so did not see Ray play but would be interested to know from those that had the pleasure of watching him who they would compare him to in playing style? Current forwards at the club or past.
Thats an interesting question. The first one that comes to my mind is Jim Melrose. Next one is Deon Burton (think that similarity was mentioned earlier)
I knew i would be Charlton till i die, because of that 68/69 team. Ray Treacy and Matt Tees. You never forget your 1st real hero's. That Derby county game when Ray scored will always be in my top 5 Favourite games at the Valley. RIP Ray, Thanks for the Memories.
There are specific moments in time when you remember where you were when a sad announcement came that for whatever reason has a significant impact on you. Be it Elvis, JFK, or whoever. Today I will always remember that on a mundane trip north to Sheffield I heard of the incredibly sad passing of my first proper hero.
Yes as a 4 to 5 year old kid I was in awe of the likes of Best, Charlton, Greaves et al. But from the day I was introduced to Charlton I looked for a proper footballer who I could actually watch in the flesh to be my idol.
Yes there was the likes of Keithy P, Bob Curtis and a line of other quality professionals who could have filled the role. But then came Ray Treacy. Not just a striker, but an Irish striker of some quality. Given the family background firmly entrenched in the Emerald Isle, Ray could have been an absolute donkey and I probably still would have held him on a lofty perch reserved for the blindly ignorant.
But you see he wasn't a donkey, Ray was a proper player, a goal scorer, a striker with an eye for the spectacular and an international revered by both his club fans and his countrymen alike and there he was, my first genuine football hero. Whilst others in the playgrounds and school pitches of the Dartford and Bexley area were mimicking the obvious and easily recognisable players of top clubs, I was Ray Treacy and very proud to be so, whether it was wearing a red shirt, or a green one.
He was, admittedly amongst others, the reason I fell in love with this club. But every kid needs a footballing hero, a player to mimic, to want to emulate, to want to become and Ray Treacy was mine.
Cheers for the memories Ray and there will be a Guinness or two raised in your honour from this grateful member of the Covered End Choir.
Comments
R.I.P.
A true Charlton legend and a great favourite of mine.
As others have said, a fantastic partnership with the incredible Matt Tees - one of the best strike forces I can remember in 52 years of following this great club.
Surely he must be inducted into the Hall of Fame without question or delay.
RIP Ray. Never toebe forgotten by me and all other Addicks of my vintage.
A few visits to the Valley in the 68/69 season and I was hooked. I just had to follow in the family footsteps and support Charlton. And it was Ray Treacy, probably more than anyone else in that team, who became my first Charlton hero.
Slight in frame and stature, he could leap like a gazelle and constantly outjumped far bigger defenders - probably a bit like Igor does today. Formed a great partnership with Matt Tees and the two of them were a real handful.
I can remember being absolutely was gutted when he was sold to Swindon. Still it was good training for all the other disappointments I have suffered over the years watching our star players depart.
Like many others of a certain age, that 68/69 team remains one of my all time Charlton favourites. It is so sad that Ray Treacy now joins Bob Curtis looking down on the Valley from a great height. RIP Ray.
A true hero when a young boy following Charlton
As said before the goal against Derby will stay in the memory forever.
Thanks Ray
May you RIP Ray, and join up with Bob Curtis , looking down on The Valley together, knowing you will both be always remembered as our heroes.
RIP
Though I was very young, I can remember he was revered amongst the supporters, including my Dad, who was not given to dishing out undue praise.
RIP Ray - you will not be forgotten.
I’ve scoured youtube looking for that goal but alas no joy.
Keirs died around 20 years ago, only in his 40s.
It was a great season except for two things:
1. We came third when the top two were promoted (and there were no play offs back then)
2. Those stripey shits from Surrey finished 2nd, ahead of us.
Ray Treacy and Matt Tees. You never forget your 1st real hero's.
That Derby county game when Ray scored will always be in my top 5 Favourite games at the Valley.
RIP Ray,
Thanks for the Memories.
Yes as a 4 to 5 year old kid I was in awe of the likes of Best, Charlton, Greaves et al. But from the day I was introduced to Charlton I looked for a proper footballer who I could actually watch in the flesh to be my idol.
Yes there was the likes of Keithy P, Bob Curtis and a line of other quality professionals who could have filled the role. But then came Ray Treacy. Not just a striker, but an Irish striker of some quality. Given the family background firmly entrenched in the Emerald Isle, Ray could have been an absolute donkey and I probably still would have held him on a lofty perch reserved for the blindly ignorant.
But you see he wasn't a donkey, Ray was a proper player, a goal scorer, a striker with an eye for the spectacular and an international revered by both his club fans and his countrymen alike and there he was, my first genuine football hero. Whilst others in the playgrounds and school pitches of the Dartford and Bexley area were mimicking the obvious and easily recognisable players of top clubs, I was Ray Treacy and very proud to be so, whether it was wearing a red shirt, or a green one.
He was, admittedly amongst others, the reason I fell in love with this club. But every kid needs a footballing hero, a player to mimic, to want to emulate, to want to become and Ray Treacy was mine.
Cheers for the memories Ray and there will be a Guinness or two raised in your honour from this grateful member of the Covered End Choir.
RIP Ray Treacy.
A great athlete with wings on his boots
A wonderful scorer of spectacular goals
A decent, modest, likeable guy - a model professional
A true legend
Sadly time is up for another of our finest, but his deeds will shine immortal
RIP Ray Treacy