Bromley Addicks will be joined by our former keeper Graham Tutt on 13 May via zoom.
@grahambustertutt will be talking about his career, his new book and that career ending injury up at Sunderland.
Members should have emails with joining details hitting their inboxes any time now.
If you're not on the mailing list but want to be email Tony.warran@btinternet.com
May 13, 2021 07:45 PM London
Comments
Graham is known as Buster by everyone. It is a nickname given to him by his dad when a young boy. Growing up they went to the Valley and the Den on alternate weeks. His father was a life-long Charlton supporter but initially Graham followed Millwall. He always wanted to be a goalkeeper and when 13, his dad signed him up to play for an adult team called London Irish who had the worst record in London. They lost 18-0 the week before he joined so when he kept it down to only 9-0 they were delighted. He was getting lots of useful practice. He went to Millwall but they outed him as he was too small. (He later shot up to 6ft 4ins). Les Gore took him to Charlton and Theo signed him. He said Theo was like a second father to him. He refused the offer of becoming an apprentice pro as he did not fancy cleaning boots and doing all the menial tasks. He took a job in a bank which lasted just 3 weeks before Charlton called him back with a full pro contract.
Soon after, Theo was sacked and Andy Nelson took over. He was sent to Workington on a month's loan and was shocked how tough and primitive life was at the bottom of Division 4. Nelson was an unsympathetic person with no bedside manner. He got in the first team and had a great time during the promotion year of 1975.The next season started well and they felt promotion back to Division 1 might be possible. An important match up at Sunderland would be an indicator if promotion was attainable...... Part 2 to follow soon.
Seven minutes into the match at Sunderland, Graham dived at the feet of the oncoming forward, Tom Finney, who followed through with a kick which left him with terrible head injuries and double vision which he still suffers with 55 years later. He was stretchered off to hospital and his career as a full time pro was over at the age of 19. Finney did visit him in hospital but he was too groggy to know what was said between them. Rodney Stone, the secretary, remained up in Sunderland and drove him home a few days later.
He tried to carry on playing but he was seeing two footballs all the time and could not cope. After a behind closed doors friendly in which he let in a couple of soft goals, Nelson called out to him in front of the other players and said, 'Tutt you are finished'. He was granted a testimonial by Charlton and was moved by the affection and support that he received from the Covered End during that match. At the time of the injury, he was convinced that the foul (which went unpunished) was deliberate, but with the passing of the years, he no long is so sure and says that it may have just been a very reckless and dangerous challenge but without the intent to hurt him. He still had his whole life in front of him. Part 3 to follow later this afternoon.
After leaving Charlton, Graham moved out to South Africa where his brother lived and made contact with Roy Matthews who was able to persuade him to start playing again. He had learned how to manage the double vision with some difficulty and went on to spend two years as a semi-pro in goal for Arcadia Shepherds, John Hewie's old club. He enjoyed his time in SA and told various anecdotes, one concerning a witch doctor who turned up at one the matches, but in the end the threats of violence and the racial problems became too much and he returned briefly to the UK.
He then moved out to the USA and played for Atlanta Chiefs. He came up against George Best and a host of other top players from that period (early eighties). When he finally stopped playing completely he set up and ran a Summer School for kids wanting to play Soccer and it was very successful.
Graham was an excellent guest and it was an easy evening to chair as he had plenty of interesting stories. I have a copy of his book,'Never Give Up' and would happily recommend it (available on Amazon). The last chapter describes him finally tracking down Tom Finney last year in an attempt to somehow exorcise the ghosts of his past, but we agreed not to reveal that story and leave people to buy the book. All in all a good evening. Look out for our next one and join us yourself next time.
Graham' story is fascinating and he told it very well.
Time flew by!
Is there a recording that could be posted, as I would like to listen again?
Will definitely buy his book.
My thanks to Graham and Bromley Addicks for a great evening.
Looking forward to attending future events in Petts Wood
sounds a good evening
Neither made it for different reasons:
Day because of injury and loss of form, with Phil Parkes getting the Jersey at West Ham;
Graham because of reckless play from an opponent.
Mervyn Day, played 640 career matches in the League, and his career improved after going to Leeds from Orient.
Graham played 65 matches for Cafc, and 4 on loan at Workington (4th tier club) before Tom Finney (not the Legend) ended his career in England and left Tutt with his double vision problems.
It was good to hear his story, and his sense of humour. South Africa and USA gave him game time but he could never reach the heights he appeared to be destined for.
Bromley Addicks giving a platform for Graham to plug his book and tell us about his Journey post Cafc as well as stories from his days at the Valley, made for good listening and memories from his and my youth.
I have now blitzed through it in 2 days and thoroughly enjoyed reading his story. It is great that he has been able to enjoy such a rich and varied life after his English professional career was so cruelly cut short. I missed many of the games he played for Charlton as that period coincided with my time at university away from London. However, in reading the book I realised I did see him playing the week before the game at Sunderland when we lost 3-0 away to Wolves in the 5th round of the FA Cup when John Richards scored a hat-trick.
I also hadn't realised until reading the book that Roy Matthews is a Scot.
I'm really pleased he has managed to play some semi-pro football after the incident.
And what an interesting life he has led. Thanks for the evening Graham.