I was at a Kent CCC lunch with him today and he made a lovely speech, mostly about cricket - but he also talked about Charlton.
Many will have heard his story about the famous 7-6 win v Huddersfield in December 1957, but it is worth telling again.
He was carried off after 17 mins when it was still 0-0 with a dislocated shoulder, and taken to the Miller hospital in Greenwich.
His father accompanied him and as Derek was about to go under anaesthetic and go into surgery, he asked his father to find out the score and was told Huddersfield were winning 4-1.
At this he insisted that the team needed him and, with no subs allowed in those days, proposed going back to the Valley to play the last half hour with his dislocated shoulder.
The doctors, of course, were not allowing that and he was given the anaesthetic.
When he came out of theatre, he asked again what the final score was and wouldn't believe anyone when they told him Charlton had won 7-6.
Great man and a great story. Fancy being one of the XI who played in our most famous game of all time - but missing all 13 goals!
He was also asked who was the greatest Charlton player he has ever seen and answered Stuart Leary, his old colleague not only at CAFC but in the Kent XI, too.
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I narrowly missed him playing for both Charlton and Kent. He was in fact still a registered Kent player in my first season but Tony Catt was the preferred wicketkeeper at the time.
Knotty then came along a season or so later to conclusively end any arguments as to whom should be first choice!
Derek was first-choice in 1961 and played almost every match for Kent, but lost his plce to Tony Catt in 1962, which was my first season of watching, too.
Saw Stuart Leary play a huge number of games for Kent, though, but I never saw him play for Charlton.
He was a decent footballer, too, but mostly non-league...
He's 89.
A hero of mine from the '50s.
Please see "Birthdays and anniversaries"
Happy Birthday Mr Ufton.
I agree with him about Stuart Leary, best player I have seen for Charlton
Derek's one cap for England in 1953.
You may catch a glimpse of number 5.
Derek's shirt from that day on display in the museum
Derek came to my dad's funeral earlier this month. Derek & Dad played in the Borough Juniors team. A very nice man.