Ten Years Ago: Mad Hatters

Charlton faced Luton at The Valley on 22nd April 1995. My notes recall, 'Charlton were terrible in the first half, but the dismissal of Brown for a second bookable offence [on 31 minutes] seemed to enliven them. In the second half, they played much better and Whyte scored', the match ending in a 1-0 victory for the Addicks. Goalkeeper Mike Ammann kept a clean sheet (as well as promoting an American frozen fruit bar called Sunsations in the programme). I recalled, 'Luton supporters less than pleased on the way back.'

Curbs said after the game, 'We were dreadful up to the sending-off, I couldn't explain why, perhaps it's because it's the end of the season.' Nothing new there, then.

The referee was shopping mall manager Paul Alcock who later stopped Andy Hunt scoring a likely goal at Liverpool by not playing the advantage. Lacking authority with players, Alcock retired prematurely from the game.

Reading the programme spotlight on junior red Kate Hull one realises that she would now be a young woman of 25. Does she still follow the Addicks and did she realise her ambition to be a nursery school teacher? Or perhaps she now follows AFC Wimbledon as she expressed an interest in the Dons.

The programme featured 'unsung hero' Alan Pardew, shortly to depart from the club, who had appropriately played for Crystal Palace after starting his working life as a glazier. The report noted, 'it is clear that Alan is a potential coach or manager, and those that know him reckon he is excellent management material.' I wonder what the Irons think about that today?