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Eddie Firmani

GeoffB
GeoffB Posts: 62
in General Charlton
Eddie Firmani is 90 today. Back in the 50’s and 60’s this man was a true Charlton legend. Definitely an all time great at our club.
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Comments

  • Six-a-bag-of-nuts
    Six-a-bag-of-nuts Posts: 8,156
    My first Charlton hero on his return from Italy
    His strike rate was phenomenal.
    When I think of him I always remember him in that nearly all white kit with the red shoulder flash.
    Strange to think he is only 2 years younger than my mum!
    Happy birthday Eddie
  • Lewis Coaches
    Lewis Coaches Posts: 5,442
    The first man to score an European Competition goal. Played for Charlton at the time.
    Happy Birthday Eddie.
  • ShootersHillGuru
    ShootersHillGuru Posts: 50,678
    Lewis Coaches said:
    The first man to score an European Competition goal. Played for Charlton at the time.
    Happy Birthday Eddie.
    Never knew that. Any more detail ?
  • superclive98
    superclive98 Posts: 4,865
    Lewis Coaches said:
    The first man to score an European Competition goal. Played for Charlton at the time.
    Happy Birthday Eddie.
    Can't see how that can be true.
  • pettgra
    pettgra Posts: 1,588
    A true legend. Eddie had absolutely everything.
    Still the only player to score a hundred goals in Italy and in England I think. Happy birthday Eddie.
  • ShootersHillGuru
    ShootersHillGuru Posts: 50,678
    After a quick google I think the first European inter club competition was in 1955. The then European Cup. How did Eddie score a goal for Charlton in that ? 
  • shirty5
    shirty5 Posts: 19,425
    superclive98 said:
    Lewis Coaches said:
    The first man to score an European Competition goal. Played for Charlton at the time.
    Happy Birthday Eddie.
    Can't see how that can be true.
    Firmani scored twice for a London XI in an Inter Cities Fairs Cup match against Basel in Switzerland on the 4th June 1955
  • shirty5
    shirty5 Posts: 19,425
    ShootersHillGuru said:
    After a quick google I think the first European inter club competition was in 1955. The then European Cup. How did Eddie score a goal for Charlton in that ? 
    The competition was an invitational event at the time for cities. The London team was made up with players who played for London teams at that time 


  • ShootersHillGuru
    ShootersHillGuru Posts: 50,678
    Thanks. Not a club competition then. Certainly explains it. 
  • shirty5
    shirty5 Posts: 19,425
    ShootersHillGuru said:
    Thanks. Not a club competition then. Certainly explains it. 
    Knowledge is power 

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  • sillav nitram
    sillav nitram Posts: 10,187
    I’m not sure if I’m imagining this but I do think I saw him play at the Valley it would have been around the time I started supporting the club, 1964.

    I do remember the kit with the red flashes on the shoulders unusual to have so little red? Were Castore around back then;)

    Didn't realise he was still alive, Happy Birthday, Eddie.
  • superclive98
    superclive98 Posts: 4,865
    shirty5 said:
    superclive98 said:
    Lewis Coaches said:
    The first man to score an European Competition goal. Played for Charlton at the time.
    Happy Birthday Eddie.
    Can't see how that can be true.
    Firmani scored twice for a London XI in an Inter Cities Fairs Cup match against Basel in Switzerland on the 4th June 1955
    Thanks.
    Never heard of a London Xl team before. According to Google he scored one of the goals.

  • superclive98
    superclive98 Posts: 4,865

  • shirty5
    shirty5 Posts: 19,425
    sillav nitram said:
    I’m not sure if I’m imagining this but I do think I saw him play at the Valley it would have been around the time I started supporting the club, 1964.

    I do remember the kit with the red flashes on the shoulders unusual to have so little red? Were Castore around back then;)

    Didn't realise he was still alive, Happy Birthday, Eddie.

  • seth plum
    seth plum Posts: 53,448
    I am very lucky enough to have seen Eddie play.
    Would have succeeded in the modern era because his touch and intelligence and eye for goal was as good as anybody now.
    Happy Birthday to one of our true greats.
  • sillav nitram
    sillav nitram Posts: 10,187
    shirty5 said:
    sillav nitram said:
    I’m not sure if I’m imagining this but I do think I saw him play at the Valley it would have been around the time I started supporting the club, 1964.

    I do remember the kit with the red flashes on the shoulders unusual to have so little red? Were Castore around back then;)

    Didn't realise he was still alive, Happy Birthday, Eddie.

    Ha, the state of that pitch, we were hard back then;)
  • Kap10
    Kap10 Posts: 15,641
    Manager when I started following Charlton, replaced by Theo Foley.

    Wasn't he part of our South African connection?  
  • CharltonKerry
    CharltonKerry Posts: 2,992
    Happy birthday, in my option one of the few that deserve to be called a legend, saw him play a fair few times in the late ‘50’s early ‘60’s.
  • shirty5
    shirty5 Posts: 19,425
    Kap10 said:
    Manager when I started following Charlton, replaced by Theo Foley.

    Wasn't he part of our South African connection?  
    Came over with Stuart Leary 
  • Kap10
    Kap10 Posts: 15,641
    shirty5 said:
    Kap10 said:
    Manager when I started following Charlton, replaced by Theo Foley.

    Wasn't he part of our South African connection?  
    Came over with Stuart Leary 
    His brother Peter also played for us.

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  • raytreacy69
    raytreacy69 Posts: 960
    first Charlton game I went to Eddie scored the winner against Carlisle in March 67
    He was the manager of one of my favourite teams 68/69
    If we had gone up that yr -well who knows how the history books might have been rewritten 
    Happy birthday Eddie 
  • bolloxbolder
    bolloxbolder Posts: 8,045
    "Sha la la la Firmani".
  • GoldthorpesHeel
    GoldthorpesHeel Posts: 108
    edited August 2023
    My most vivid memory was a game v Northampton (6th May 1967 it would seem). A win for Charlton would guarantee div 2 football for another season (and send Northampton down). Eddie was everywhere and scored twice in a 3:0 win. Graham Moore and Theo Foley from Northampton both joined us the next season. Great man.
  • Crusty54
    Crusty54 Posts: 3,276
    superclive98 said:

    Cliff Holton played for Charlton towards the end of his career.
  • MikeBaileysFanClub
    MikeBaileysFanClub Posts: 316
    Eddie was truly a legend. Remember his blue Mercedes parked behind the main stand when he returned in 63. He was true class. Was lucky enough to meet him some years ago at the Valley during an old players evening. Happy Birthday Eddie !
  • Oggy Red
    Oggy Red Posts: 44,990
    Crusty54 said:
    superclive98 said:

    Cliff Holton played for Charlton towards the end of his career.
    I remember Cliff Holton also, just one seasan or part of, I think?

    I first saw Eddie Firmani play in his 2nd spell at The Valley when my Dad first took me; then a few appearances at the beginning of his 3rd spell early in the 1967-68 season. Charlton had made a very patchy start, manager Bob Stokoe was sacked and Firmani was appointed manager and immediately hung up his boots.

    There was always a goal threat in Firmani sides - and those old enough, will always remember the legendary 1968-69 season: the 2-0 FA Cup win at Palace and how well we played in the unlucky defeat at Arsenal - plus finishing 3rd and just missing out on promotion back to the old Division One, to Palace of all teams. :neutral:


  • Starinnaddick
    Starinnaddick Posts: 4,396
    Happy Birthday Eddie. 
    He and Stuart were my idols  when  I was a youngster, the perfect foils for each other. As I have said before it was surprising that he made his debut at left back. 
  • ecclesaddick
    ecclesaddick Posts: 409
    I think his brother played left back ? Happy birthday Eddie great man
  • LenGlover
    LenGlover Posts: 31,723
    Happy Birthday Eddie!

    Fine player and manager and I enjoyed watching you as a young lad when you returned to Charlton from Italy.
  • aitchyaddick
    aitchyaddick Posts: 202
    Starinnaddick said:
    Happy Birthday Eddie. 
    He and Stuart were my idols  when  I was a youngster, the perfect foils for each other. As I have said before it was surprising that he made his debut at left back. 
    Exactly my thoughts. Stuart Leary was my favourite, what a pairing they were together. In those days I lived near The Star Inn and used to get off the 53 bus there. I still go the Valley with daughter and grandson. They've never forgiven me for taking them to Charlton!

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