Ten Years Ago: no Fortress Valley
There was still a mood of euphoria at The Valley after the 2-0 away defeat of Port Fail the preceding week hailed by Steve Gritt in the programme as 'our best away performance'. Fans were informed that a video of the win 'can be ordered if anyone is interested in purchasing it.'
Hopes were high against 'struggling' Burnley who who had come up through the play offs. These hopes were soon to be dissipated, even though the Addicks got off to a good start when the irrepressible David Whyte hit the post. However, my notes recall, 'Charlton only played well in the first and last quarter of an hour. The rest of the time they were half hearted, marked poorly, Burnley dominated the midfield and Petterson let in an easy goal.' This came from a move from a corner on 52 minutes with Petterson leaving acres of space by standing next to the near post. Nine minutes later a break by Burnley from one end of the pitch to the other could not be stopped by Phil Chapple, while Petterson made an easy target as he stood rooted to the spot. Charlton got back into the game on 81 minutes with another neat goal by David Whyte, Whyte, Whyte but were unable to force a draw.
I had had to rush to the ground from a Foreign Office conference in a country house location in Sussex, the sort of place where people wear EU socks. I only made it with quarter of an hour to spare and did not realise that Neil Kinnock was in the crowd, although the former Labour leader's motive for attending was unclear: I certainly never thought of him as an Addick.
The programme featured Paul Linger whose career was later cruelly interrupted by a broken leg at Port Fail. The Addickted were told that 'Paul's versatility allows him to play in a number of positions including as an orthodox winger, an attacking midfield player, or the free man just behind the front two.' In other words, a classic utility player but programme editor Peter 'Scoop' Burrowes was able to reveal that 'He doesn't really mind where he fits in as long as he is playing in the team.'
Hopes were high against 'struggling' Burnley who who had come up through the play offs. These hopes were soon to be dissipated, even though the Addicks got off to a good start when the irrepressible David Whyte hit the post. However, my notes recall, 'Charlton only played well in the first and last quarter of an hour. The rest of the time they were half hearted, marked poorly, Burnley dominated the midfield and Petterson let in an easy goal.' This came from a move from a corner on 52 minutes with Petterson leaving acres of space by standing next to the near post. Nine minutes later a break by Burnley from one end of the pitch to the other could not be stopped by Phil Chapple, while Petterson made an easy target as he stood rooted to the spot. Charlton got back into the game on 81 minutes with another neat goal by David Whyte, Whyte, Whyte but were unable to force a draw.
I had had to rush to the ground from a Foreign Office conference in a country house location in Sussex, the sort of place where people wear EU socks. I only made it with quarter of an hour to spare and did not realise that Neil Kinnock was in the crowd, although the former Labour leader's motive for attending was unclear: I certainly never thought of him as an Addick.
The programme featured Paul Linger whose career was later cruelly interrupted by a broken leg at Port Fail. The Addickted were told that 'Paul's versatility allows him to play in a number of positions including as an orthodox winger, an attacking midfield player, or the free man just behind the front two.' In other words, a classic utility player but programme editor Peter 'Scoop' Burrowes was able to reveal that 'He doesn't really mind where he fits in as long as he is playing in the team.'
posted by Wyn Grant at 6:07 PM
1 Comments:
Yes, he did win play of the season, although that perhaps reflects a poor season overall. He did once pull off a marvellous 'Mexican save' against Palace at home. But in general he wasn't very good but we couldn't afford much better in those days.
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