I knocked about in the same group of friends as his son Paul, who also recently tragically passed away, in the early 90s and we sometimes played in the same Sunday morning team as ring-ins.
Paul was an unbelievable player, he had played semi-pro and was a class above, and would play centre-half with a cigar on and very occasionally Theo would come and watch from the sidelines, he would have been at Arsenal at the time.
Of course, when Theo came everyone would amp it up to try and impress him and after the game he'd come around to say well played to everyone.
Given that I was well out of my depth in such exalted footballing company I'd keep my head down and gob firmly shut but of course there'd always be one Bertie Big Balls keen to extract praise from the great man.
"How d'you reckon I played Theo?" they'd breathlessly ask, desperately seeking his approval.
"Well, God loves a trier son," he would reply, patting them on the shoulder and then slipping away, another little battle won.
This is the first time I have posted but I wanted to share my story about
Theo. My dad was groundsman at British
Ropes and during Theo's time as manager, the team used the football pitch there
for training sessions. We lived on
Woolwich Road and if I was off school, I would look out of the window to see
the players go by, carrying the nets and goalposts and footballs etc. One year on Christmas Eve the players went by
and I asked my dad to stand by the gate at 12 noon ready for when they came
back to have a chat with Theo. Not only
did my dad have a chat, he asked him in for a little glass (or two) of whisky,
which Theo happily accepted. Theo Foley
in my front room - it didn't get much better than that! We were having a family Christmas party that
evening so I put a 'Theo Foley Sat Here' notice on the chair!!
When I saw Theo many years later in Legends, I asked if he remembered
training at British Ropes, which he did - and he also remembered Reg the
groundsman. A wonderful moment. I still have the official letter from the club
thanking my dad for letting them use the pitch.
I wonder if this is something the museum would like as a piece of our
history?
Never met Theo - I bought and read his book this weekend, had tears in my eyes as I finished it realising he, or Paul, no longer with us. A great read - RIP Theo
Harrry was always great company and happy to chat in Xbars.Remember the first time I spoke to him was outside Floyds/ Bartams -he was with a couple of ex players.I told him he was one of my favourite players from the 67-69 era.We were talking about some games and he straight away brought the other players into the conversation.Such a lovely guy.Happy days
Which brings me to Theo’s funeral. What a dreadful shame that so many people who would have wished to, will be unable to attend to say their farewells. I am certain that under normal circumstances it would have been standing room only for the great man.
Theo was larger than life. You could listen to him for hours, stories about his football experiences About Brian Clough. Arsenal Title winning team. As an Irish International playing when it was a little harder than today. When tackling was tackling He once went to Bromley Referees and spent all evening recounting his experiences. I use to live 5 doors from him. He moved there just after us. Players then were put up in Charlton owned houses. He eventually bought it and lived there for the rest of his life. He was a family friend. When he was Manager he would take His son and my brother to games. They witnessed his wrath towards the team in the dressing room. Theo was a true football man. He would always listen to your opinion and then let you know what he thought. I will miss bumping into to him at the valley.
As the venue was only accessible to 30 persons an impressive number of ex Charlton players and others went to Theo‘s house prior to the service where quite a large crowd had assembled, this included a large contingent of family friends and neighbours. Keith Peacock was actually at the funeral itself representing the club and George Graham likewise for Arsenal. The funeral director walked in front of the cortege all the way to the church, which was evidently quite some way, which in itself, (considering the distance), was another fine tribute to dear old Theo.
As the venue was only accessible to 30 persons an impressive number of ex Charlton players and others went to Theo‘s house prior to the service, where quite a large crowd had assembled, this included a large contingent of family friends and neighbours. Keith Peacock was actually at the funeral itself representing the club and George Graham likewise for Arsenal.
Comments
I knocked about in the same group of friends as his son Paul, who also recently tragically passed away, in the early 90s and we sometimes played in the same Sunday morning team as ring-ins.
Paul was an unbelievable player, he had played semi-pro and was a class above, and would play centre-half with a cigar on and very occasionally Theo would come and watch from the sidelines, he would have been at Arsenal at the time.
Of course, when Theo came everyone would amp it up to try and impress him and after the game he'd come around to say well played to everyone.
Given that I was well out of my depth in such exalted footballing company I'd keep my head down and gob firmly shut but of course there'd always be one Bertie Big Balls keen to extract praise from the great man.
"How d'you reckon I played Theo?" they'd breathlessly ask, desperately seeking his approval.
"Well, God loves a trier son," he would reply, patting them on the shoulder and then slipping away, another little battle won.
This is the first time I have posted but I wanted to share my story about Theo. My dad was groundsman at British Ropes and during Theo's time as manager, the team used the football pitch there for training sessions. We lived on Woolwich Road and if I was off school, I would look out of the window to see the players go by, carrying the nets and goalposts and footballs etc. One year on Christmas Eve the players went by and I asked my dad to stand by the gate at 12 noon ready for when they came back to have a chat with Theo. Not only did my dad have a chat, he asked him in for a little glass (or two) of whisky, which Theo happily accepted. Theo Foley in my front room - it didn't get much better than that! We were having a family Christmas party that evening so I put a 'Theo Foley Sat Here' notice on the chair!!
When I saw Theo many years later in Legends, I asked if he remembered training at British Ropes, which he did - and he also remembered Reg the groundsman. A wonderful moment. I still have the official letter from the club thanking my dad for letting them use the pitch. I wonder if this is something the museum would like as a piece of our history?
R.I.P Theo, a class act.
A great read - RIP Theo
Great fella.....he was very pally with Theo.
What a dreadful shame that so many people who would have wished to, will be unable to attend to say their farewells.
I am certain that under normal circumstances it would have been standing room only for the great man.
believe it’s Theo’s funeral today
RIP
Keith Peacock was actually at the funeral itself representing the club and George Graham likewise for Arsenal.
The funeral director walked in front of the cortege all the way to the church, which was evidently quite some way, which in itself, (considering the distance), was another fine tribute to dear old Theo.