ALLAN SIMONSEN Born 15 December 1952 in Vejle, Denmark (64)
For a brief, shining moment, one of the finest footballers on the planet wore the red and white shirt of Charlton Athletic.
Allan Simonsen, former European Player of the Year, turned down approaches by Tottenham and Real Madrid when deemed surplus to requirements at Barcelons who had just signed - Diego Maradona. To everyone's utter amazement he chose to play for Charlton. Addicks Chairman Mark Hulyer risked all, including 324,000 pounds which Charlton could ill afford.
But anyone who saw Simonsen destroy Chelsea in a 5-2 league win at the Valley and almost engineer a stunning FA Cup upset against Bobby Robson's Ipswich would not begrudge a penny.
On 4 December 1982 it was estimated that 60% of Denmark's four million inhabitants watched live coverage of the match against Newcastle at the Valley. The Dane didn't disappoint, scoring the second goal in a comfortable 2-0 victory. Among the crowd was Cardinal Basil Hume, a Newcastle fan, who commented that Simonsen had some lovely touches and that his goal was an absolute beauty (Charlton Athletic on this Day by Matthew Eastley).
After 131 days, 17 appearances and one goals, the greatest Dane was gone, with Charlton unable to meet his wages and still owing around 200,000.
I attended that Chelsea game alone and felt very uncomfortable about the dozen or so Chelsea fans who decided to stand behind me on the East terrace.
During the game I shouted out ‘rubbish’ when the ref had the temerity to blow for a foul against Charlton. This caused the Chelsea fans to enquire why I thought it was rubbish. Just as the ‘interview’ died down, Simeonson picked up the ball, glided past a couple of players and smashed it into the top corner.
… I politely pointed out to the Chelsea fans that there was only one player on the pitch capable of doing that … and they fell absolutely silent … it was wonderful.
DEREK HALES Born 15 December 1951 (66) at Lower Halstow, Kent
Killer had two spells at Charlton - 1973 to 1976 and 1978 to 1985: 360 appearances and 168 goals in total.
When Manager Theo Foley completed a loan deal in July 1973 to bring Hales to Charlton from Luton no one could have predicted the impact he would make. He was feisty, rough at the edges and bristling with competitive energy. But most of all he was a superb, predatory striker. He started scoring from the word go and on October 22, Foley paid just 4,000 pounds to make the move permanent, a bargain which takes some beating (Charlton Athletic on this Day by Matthew Eastley).
At times during the 1975/76 season, Derek Hales was virtually unstoppable, scoring 28 league goals. One of his finest performances was against Fulham at the Valley. 11,551 fans score all three goals to clinch a 3-2 victory.
In October 1976 Hales scored one of the finest goals seen at the Valley. The Killer finished off a remarkable piece of wing play by Colin Powell by firing an unstoppable left-foot shot past the Hull keeper as Charlton beat the Tigers 3-1. It was Hales' second goal of yet another hat-trick and won ITV's Goal of the Season award.
In 1984 Hales beat Stuart Leary's scoring record of 163 goals with the first goal in a 2-2 home draw with Huddersfield. Three days earlier, he had scored a hat-trick in the opening day 3-0 win at Cardiff to draw level with the South African.
In July 2005 he was elected Charlton's "cult hero" by fans of all ages in one of ten categories to celebrate Charlton's centenary. He was presented with his Sammy award - named after legend Sam Bartram - at a gala ceremony to mark his achievements.
My all time idol, having been a teenager when he first played for us, and had the pleasure of meeting him for the first time last month. They say never meet your idols as they only disappoint, but he didn't! Proud to have finally met him.
Have met him and had the pleasure of buying him a beer, tells some great stories, absolute legend. Happy 65th birthday to a fully fledged OAP, Killer, Killer, Killer.
RICHARD RUFUS Born 12 January 1975 at Lewisham (42)
Some players are so good their team is noticeably poorer in their absence. Rufus made his debut at Roker Park in November 1994. After the game a Sunderland director told Alan Curbishley "I've just seen a future England centre-half - that Rufus is one hell of a player".
Sadly, Rufus retired through injury in June 2004 without the senior international honours many had predicted although he made six appearances for the England U-21s. Curbishley described Rufus as "a model professional who will be sorely missed".
Richard Rufus came up through the youth system at the Valley and was a one-club player. His importance to the team was recognised by three Player of the Year awards and in 2005 he was voted by fans as Charlton's greatest-ever defender. In May 2013 he was inducted into Charlton's Hall of Fame.
DECLAN RUDD Born 16 January 1991 (26) in Diss, Norfolk
He completed a season-long loan from Norwich City in early August. He kept goal on 14 occasions for the Canaries last season. Prior to that he had spent a couple of seasons on loan to Preston North End, 60 appearances.
He appeared 19 games for England age group sides starting off in 2006 with the U16s, his most recent games being for the U21 team in 2013.
CHRIS SOLLY Born 20 January 1991 (26) at Chatham, Kent
Chris Solly is Charlton's current longest-serving player after making his debut on the final day of the 2008/09 season, coming on as a substitute for Darren Ward in a 4-2 win over Norwich.
He has worn the captain's arm band on several occasions and is a two-time fans' Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013. In 2012 he was also selected by management as Charlton's Young Player of the Year, the first to win both awards in the same season since Richard Rufus in 1995.
Chris is an U16 and U17 England international and has spent all his senior career at Charlton. He signed a four year deal with the Addicks in September 2013.
LENNY GLOVER Born 31 January 1944 at Kennington, London (73)
When Lenny Glover left Charlton for Leicester City for 80,000 pounds it was the highest fee ever paid for a winger. He played 196 games for Charlton between 1962-68 and scored 24 goals. He was later considered to be one of the greatest players to don a Leicester shirt and was once described as "the best uncapped winger in the world". He played in the 1969 Cup Final.
He was admired at the Valley for his trickery and crossing ability and when he left Manager Eddie Firmani said "I would have loved him to have stayed but he has consistently said he wants First Division football".
He later became a publican in Kibworth, Leicestershire before turning into an Arthur Daley style buyer and seller. He was a guest of Her Majesty for three and and a half years when he was convicted in 2004 for laundering cannabis money.
MIKE BAILEY Born 27 February 1942 (age 75) at Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Played 151 matches for Charlton between 1958-66 scoring 20 goals.
The barrel chested half-back was a fearsome tackler who led by example. He played in the Football League between 1958-79 playing over 500 league games, mainly for Charlton and Wolves.
He returned to Charlton as Manager for a season in 1980 guiding us to promotion to the Second Division. He shifted to Brighton taking them to 13th in the then First Division, their highest-ever finish. Years later he worked as reserve team coach at Portsmouth but was shown the door in 1996.
Now based in London Mike Bailey occasionally goes to watch Wolves home and away games.
He played 377 games for Charlton - his only Football League club - between 1956-71. He scored 19 goals mainly from the left wing but many of his games were at left back.
Rain Kinsey was Jimmy Seed's last signing before he departed the club. In his autobiography Seed said: "He was my last official signing, and I am confident he will one day keep up Charlton's tradition in match-winning outside lefts. Indeed, he has all the qualities which would go to make him the most successful winger of them all"
CARL LEABURN Born at Lewisham on 30 March 1969 (48)
344 appearances for Charlton between 1987-1988 (53 goals)
For several seasons from the late '80s to the mid 1990s 6'3" striker Carl LEABURN divided opinion among fans, with his goals-to-games ratio being less than impressive. But no-one could fault the big man's effort and commitment and the deep, almost primeval chant of LEA-BURN LEA-BURN was increasingly heard at the Valley as he won most of his doubters over.
Perhaps his greatest day in a Charlton shirt came in the game in September 1995 against Ipswich when he scored a hat-trick in an incredible 5-1 win for the Addicks. Another memorable goal would be the one he scored against Manchester United in the FA Cup match at Old Trafford in 1994.
(Mostly from "Charlton Athletic on this Day" by Matthew Eastley
Addicks fans flocked to the derelict, weed-strewn Valley in answer to the club's appeal for help in clearing up.
On 23 March 1989 the official announcement was made that Charlton will once again play football at the Valley but the following January the Greenwich Council rejected a planning application to rebuild the Valley.
In May 1990 the fans' Valley Party fielded 60 candidates in Council elections, polling 15,000 votes and unseating the planning chairman in the process.
In April 1991 a new Valley planning proposal was passed by the Greenwich Council.
PETER SHIRTLIFF BORN 6 APRIL 1961 (56) at Hoyland, Barnsley
After eight seasons at Sheffield Wednesday Peter Shirtliff joined Charlton where he made 103 appearances before returning to Wednesday. His two goals in the last 10 minutes of extra time in the 1986-87 play-off final replay against Leeds kept us in the First Division.
In those days the club finishing just above relegation had to square-off in a two leg knockout involving the third, fourth and fifth places in Division Two.
Charlton had won their semi-final against Ipswich. The final against Leeds took place after a 1-1 draw at the Valley. The Charlton coach was welcomed at Elland Road by a Leeds nutter repeatedly head-butting the bus. 3,000 Charlton fans made the trip north where Charlton skipper Shirtliff stunned the 17,000-strong Leeds army with his barnstorming late double, as the Addicks roared back from a goal down in extra time.
(From Charlton Athletic - A nostalgic look at a century of the club)
CLAUS JENSEN Born 29 April 1977 (40) at Nykebing Falster, Denmark
Charlton smashed their transfer record after completing the signing of attacking mid-fielder Claus Jensen for 4 million pounds from Bolton. The 23 year old Dane was also wanted by Ipswich but Jensen said "Charlton impressed me, from the Board to the Manager and the fans and the ground" - from Charlton Athletic on this Day by Matthew Eastley
The popular mid-fielder played over 100 games for the Addicks between 2000 and 2004 in the Premiership before his transfer to Fulham, also in the Premiership at the time. He played 47 games for Fulham but retired after a spate of injuries after three seasons.
He had played 47 games for his national side including appearances at the 2002 World Cup and 2004 European Championship.
KEITH PEACOCK Born at Barnehurst in Kent on 2 May 1945 (72)
Keith Peacock is one of the most highly-regarded and popular players ever to represent Charlton. This splendid one-club player made 567 appearances for the Addicks and 24 substitute appearances in a career spanning 17 seasons. A wonderfully talented player who scored regularly, he laid on countless goals for the likes of Arthur Horsfield, Derek Hales and Mike Flanagan. After leaving Charlton he managed Gillingham and Maidstone before returning to his beloved Charlton as assistant manager to Alan Curbishley. After a short stint at West Ham, Keith came back to the Valley again as honorary associate director, and then technical director (Charlton on this Day by Matthew Eastley).
A little bit of football league history was created on Saturday, 21st August 1965 at 3.11pm when Peacock came on as the first substitute under the new substitute rule, recently introduced. Goalkeeper Mike Rose had injured his knee and could play no further part in the game. We lost 4-2 at Bolton. It was Bob Stokoe's first game in charge.
Keith received a Lifetime Achievement Award at a gala on Thursday, 9 June 2005 to mark the club's centenary. He received a "Sammy" - a miniature version of the just-unveiled Sam Bartram statue.
One of South London's finest, David Rocastle would have been 50 today.
Top quality player and bloke. Sad loss at a ridiculously young age. He passed on the morning of the NL Derby at Highbury and there were worries that the minute's silence would be disrupted. It was impeccably observed by all.
This BT Sport documentary about him is well worth a watch:
STEVE BROWN Born 13 May 1972 in Brighton (45 today)
Steve Brown is another legend profiled in Michael Walsh's "A Nostalgic Look at a Century of the Club".
He was a central defender playing 242 games for Charlton between 1990-2002 and scoring nine goals. He ended up in goal on four occasions because of injuries to the keeper during his 12 years at the Valley.
"You're not meant to get too involved with the emotions of the whole thing if you're a footballer because you've got a job to do, but I cann't ignore the fact that Charlton means an awful lot to me" said Steve Brown. According to Michael Walsh he was a never-say-die, thunder-thighs defender who deserves to be treasured as dearly as his "Sailor" namesake.
His 12-year career as an Addick saw us twice promoted to the Premier League, once as Championship champions and once via the play-off final with Sunderland when he scored one of the penalties.
He captained Charlton on many occasions and played in the team which equaled the league record at that time of 12 straight wins. He was an integral part of the squad which retained Premier League status in 2001 and he helped Charlton secure their highest ever Premier League finish.
Steve Brown was signed by Alan Pardew at Reading in 2002 where he stayed for two years before a recurring ligament injury ended his playing career.
According to Lancashire Lad's excellent Statbank for last season, Crofts was 7th in average marks having played 44 games, more than any other Addick. He scored one goal, four assists. In the discipline department he gave away fewer free kicks than most of the team (two yellows).
I've been a bit slower in discovering Statbank. A great record of the season. Thanks LL.
Andrew Crofts is a Welsh international who joined the Addicks on a one-year deal in July 2016 following a successful trial with the club. He began his career at Gillingham, later joining and skippering Brighton. After a season he signed for Norwich playing a key role in the Canaries' rise to the Premiership. Later he re-joined Brighton, spending the last two months of 2015/16 on loan at Gillingham.
A one-club man who made 277 appearances for Charlton, Derek Ufton was a multi-talented sportsman who kept wicket for Kent between 1949 and 1962 taking 270 catches and 44 stumpings. He was a left-handed batsman.
Ufton made his debut for Charlton against Liverpool in November 1949 and was a mainstay of the Addicks during the 1950s. He would undoubtedly have made many more appearances and earned more than one* international cap if a series of injuries had not blighted his career. His problem was shoulder dislocations, an injury which occurred on no fewer than 20 occasions during his career (Charlton Athletic on This Day by Matthew Eastley).
Derek Ufton played for Charlton between 1949 and 1960. He coached at Tooting and Mitcham in 1961 where he stayed until joining Malcolm Allison as a coach at Plymouth Argyle in 1964. He replaced Allison in 1965 for the next three seasons.
He was named President of Kent CCC in 2001 and he served on the Charlton Board of Directors from 1984 to 2009.
Derek Ufton joined the Charlton fans' Hall of Fame in 2015 joining the likes of Sam Bartram, Derek Hales, Clive Mendonca, Harold Hobbis and Mark Kinsella.
*. He is often quoted in the records as gaining one international cap against the Rest of the World, but I seem to recall he also played against Hungary at Wembley - could be wrong though.
England squad 20th October 1953, one day before England drew 4-4 with "Rest of the World" at Wembley. Ufton is back row 3rd from the left (I suspect that Henry may tell you that shirt is now in the museum). The trainer on the right of the picture is our own Derek Jimmy Trotter.
I think you meant Jimmy Trotter was the England trainer that day, Stig?
As every Charlton fan already knows, Jimmy Trotter was trainer under the legendary Jimmy Seed throughout the Charlton 'glory years', before succeding the great man himself as manager for a further 5 years.
ANDY HUNT Born 9 June 1970 at Thurrock, Essex (47)
Andy Hunt played 86 games for Charlton between 1998-2000 scoring 35 goals.
Like strike partner Clive Mendonca, Andy Hunt's career was cut short by illness - after scoring 24 league goals in the 1999/2000 season.
"I couldn't train and couldn't play so I went for tests with the British Olympic Association and they diagnosed me with something called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It was tough to take" - Andy Hunt.
On Saturday, 5 February 2000 striker Andy Hunt plundered a superb hat-trick in a 3-1 win at Stockport County. In the previous league game, Hunt also scored three at Norwich City, making him the first Charlton player to score hat-tricks in successive away league matches. Because Hunt had also scored three at the Valley in September, he became the first Charlton player to score a hat-trick against the same opposition home and away in the same season. From: Charlton Athletic on this Day by Matthew Eastley
For the last ten years or so Andy Hunt has operated a tourist lodge business in Belize.
Top of fans' Statbank last season with 12 MOMs and 26 in the top three. He scored 134 goals - our top scorer - in 33 appearances with five assists and 66 shots on goal. Thanks Lancashire lad.
Ricky Holmes became Charlton's first signing of the 2016 summer transfer season when he joined from Northampton for an undisclosed fee on a two-year contract.
After three seasons with Barnet he signed for Portsmouth where he played 50 games scoring twice. He joined Northampton on loan in 2015 before making the move permanent. He excelled, playing a vital role in their title-winning campaign scoring nine goals in 2015/16 league action.
Keep your sticky hands off him Roland. We want to keep him.
John Dunn was signed by Theo Foley from Aston Villa in July 1971 as a replacement for Charlie Wright who had gone to Bolton. Dunn was Charlton's first-choice keeper between 1971 and 1974 making 118 appearances. He was Charlton's Player of the Year in 1974 before losing his place to the emerging Graham Tutt.
Top of fans' Statbank last season with 12 MOMs and 26 in the top three. He scored 134 goals - our top scorer - in 33 appearances with five assists and 66 shots on goal. Thanks Lancashire lad.
Ricky Holmes became Charlton's first signing of the 2016 summer transfer season when he joined from Northampton for an undisclosed fee on a two-year contract.
After three seasons with Barnet he signed for Portsmouth where he played 50 games scoring twice. He joined Northampton on loan in 2015 before making the move permanent. He excelled, playing a vital role in their title-winning campaign scoring nine goals in 2015/16 league action.
Keep your sticky hands off him Roland. We want to keep him.
Comments
Born 15 December 1952 in Vejle, Denmark (64)
For a brief, shining moment, one of the finest footballers on the planet wore the red and white shirt of Charlton Athletic.
Allan Simonsen, former European Player of the Year, turned down approaches by Tottenham and Real Madrid when deemed surplus to requirements at Barcelons who had just signed - Diego Maradona. To everyone's utter amazement he chose to play for Charlton. Addicks Chairman Mark Hulyer risked all, including 324,000 pounds which Charlton could ill afford.
But anyone who saw Simonsen destroy Chelsea in a 5-2 league win at the Valley and almost engineer a stunning FA Cup upset against Bobby Robson's Ipswich would not begrudge a penny.
On 4 December 1982 it was estimated that 60% of Denmark's four million inhabitants watched live coverage of the match against Newcastle at the Valley. The Dane didn't disappoint, scoring the second goal in a comfortable 2-0 victory. Among the crowd was Cardinal Basil Hume, a Newcastle fan, who commented that Simonsen had some lovely touches and that his goal was an absolute beauty (Charlton Athletic on this Day by Matthew Eastley).
After 131 days, 17 appearances and one goals, the greatest Dane was gone, with Charlton unable to meet his wages and still owing around 200,000.
During the game I shouted out ‘rubbish’ when the ref had the temerity to blow for a foul against Charlton. This caused the Chelsea fans to enquire why I thought it was rubbish. Just as the ‘interview’ died down, Simeonson picked up the ball, glided past a couple of players and smashed it into the top corner.
… I politely pointed out to the Chelsea fans that there was only one player on the pitch capable of doing that … and they fell absolutely silent … it was wonderful.
Born 12 January 1975 at Lewisham (42)
Some players are so good their team is noticeably poorer in their absence. Rufus made his debut at Roker Park in November 1994. After the game a Sunderland director told Alan Curbishley "I've just seen a future England centre-half - that Rufus is one hell of a player".
Sadly, Rufus retired through injury in June 2004 without the senior international honours many had predicted although he made six appearances for the England U-21s. Curbishley described Rufus as "a model professional who will be sorely missed".
Richard Rufus came up through the youth system at the Valley and was a one-club player. His importance to the team was recognised by three Player of the Year awards and in 2005 he was voted by fans as Charlton's greatest-ever defender. In May 2013 he was inducted into Charlton's Hall of Fame.
Born 16 January 1991 (26) in Diss, Norfolk
He completed a season-long loan from Norwich City in early August. He kept goal on 14 occasions for the Canaries last season. Prior to that he had spent a couple of seasons on loan to Preston North End, 60 appearances.
He appeared 19 games for England age group sides starting off in 2006 with the U16s, his most recent games being for the U21 team in 2013.
Born 20 January 1991 (26) at Chatham, Kent
Chris Solly is Charlton's current longest-serving player after making his debut on the final day of the 2008/09 season, coming on as a substitute for Darren Ward in a 4-2 win over Norwich.
He has worn the captain's arm band on several occasions and is a two-time fans' Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013. In 2012 he was also selected by management as Charlton's Young Player of the Year, the first to win both awards in the same season since Richard Rufus in 1995.
Chris is an U16 and U17 England international and has spent all his senior career at Charlton. He signed a four year deal with the Addicks in September 2013.
From CAFC Handbook
Born 31 January 1944 at Kennington, London (73)
When Lenny Glover left Charlton for Leicester City for 80,000 pounds it was the highest fee ever paid for a winger. He played 196 games for Charlton between 1962-68 and scored 24 goals. He was later considered to be one of the greatest players to don a Leicester shirt and was once described as "the best uncapped winger in the world". He played in the 1969 Cup Final.
He was admired at the Valley for his trickery and crossing ability and when he left Manager Eddie Firmani said "I would have loved him to have stayed but he has consistently said he wants First Division football".
He later became a publican in Kibworth, Leicestershire before turning into an Arthur Daley style buyer and seller. He was a guest of Her Majesty for three and and a half years when he was convicted in 2004 for laundering cannabis money.
Born 27 February 1942 (age 75) at Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Played 151 matches for Charlton between 1958-66 scoring 20 goals.
The barrel chested half-back was a fearsome tackler who led by example. He played in the Football League between 1958-79 playing over 500 league games, mainly for Charlton and Wolves.
He returned to Charlton as Manager for a season in 1980 guiding us to promotion to the Second Division. He shifted to Brighton taking them to 13th in the then First Division, their highest-ever finish. Years later he worked as reserve team coach at Portsmouth but was shown the door in 1996.
Now based in London Mike Bailey occasionally goes to watch Wolves home and away games.
Born 4 March 1938 (79) at Charlton
He played 377 games for Charlton - his only Football League club - between 1956-71. He scored 19 goals mainly from the left wing but many of his games were at left back.
Rain Kinsey was Jimmy Seed's last signing before he departed the club. In his autobiography Seed said: "He was my last official signing, and I am confident he will one day keep up Charlton's tradition in match-winning outside lefts. Indeed, he has all the qualities which would go to make him the most successful winger of them all"
Born at Lewisham on 30 March 1969 (48)
344 appearances for Charlton between 1987-1988 (53 goals)
For several seasons from the late '80s to the mid 1990s 6'3" striker Carl LEABURN divided opinion among fans, with his goals-to-games ratio being less than impressive. But no-one could fault the big man's effort and commitment and the deep, almost primeval chant of LEA-BURN LEA-BURN was increasingly heard at the Valley as he won most of his doubters over.
Perhaps his greatest day in a Charlton shirt came in the game in September 1995 against Ipswich when he scored a hat-trick in an incredible 5-1 win for the Addicks. Another memorable goal would be the one he scored against Manchester United in the FA Cup match at Old Trafford in 1994.
(Mostly from "Charlton Athletic on this Day" by Matthew Eastley
my first hero in a Charlton shirt
LEAAA BURNNNN!!
VALLEY CLEAN-UP ON 2 APRIL 1989
Addicks fans flocked to the derelict, weed-strewn Valley in answer to the club's appeal for help in clearing up.
On 23 March 1989 the official announcement was made that Charlton will once again play football at the Valley but the following January the Greenwich Council rejected a planning application to rebuild the Valley.
In May 1990 the fans' Valley Party fielded 60 candidates in Council elections, polling 15,000 votes and unseating the planning chairman in the process.
In April 1991 a new Valley planning proposal was passed by the Greenwich Council.
BORN 6 APRIL 1961 (56) at Hoyland, Barnsley
After eight seasons at Sheffield Wednesday Peter Shirtliff joined Charlton where he made 103 appearances before returning to Wednesday. His two goals in the last 10 minutes of extra time in the 1986-87 play-off final replay against Leeds kept us in the First Division.
In those days the club finishing just above relegation had to square-off in a two leg knockout involving the third, fourth and fifth places in Division Two.
Charlton had won their semi-final against Ipswich. The final against Leeds took place after a 1-1 draw at the Valley. The Charlton coach was welcomed at Elland Road by a Leeds nutter repeatedly head-butting the bus. 3,000 Charlton fans made the trip north where Charlton skipper Shirtliff stunned the 17,000-strong Leeds army with his barnstorming late double, as the Addicks roared back from a goal down in extra time.
(From Charlton Athletic - A nostalgic look at a century of the club)
Born 29 April 1977 (40) at Nykebing Falster, Denmark
Charlton smashed their transfer record after completing the signing of attacking mid-fielder Claus Jensen for 4 million pounds from Bolton. The 23 year old Dane was also wanted by Ipswich but Jensen said "Charlton impressed me, from the Board to the Manager and the fans and the ground" - from Charlton Athletic on this Day by Matthew Eastley
The popular mid-fielder played over 100 games for the Addicks between 2000 and 2004 in the Premiership before his transfer to Fulham, also in the Premiership at the time. He played 47 games for Fulham but retired after a spate of injuries after three seasons.
He had played 47 games for his national side including appearances at the 2002 World Cup and 2004 European Championship.
He is now a football commentator for Danish tv
Born at Barnehurst in Kent on 2 May 1945 (72)
Keith Peacock is one of the most highly-regarded and popular players ever to represent Charlton. This splendid one-club player made 567 appearances for the Addicks and 24 substitute appearances in a career spanning 17 seasons. A wonderfully talented player who scored regularly, he laid on countless goals for the likes of Arthur Horsfield, Derek Hales and Mike Flanagan. After leaving Charlton he managed Gillingham and Maidstone before returning to his beloved Charlton as assistant manager to Alan Curbishley. After a short stint at West Ham, Keith came back to the Valley again as honorary associate director, and then technical director (Charlton on this Day by Matthew Eastley).
A little bit of football league history was created on Saturday, 21st August 1965 at 3.11pm when Peacock came on as the first substitute under the new substitute rule, recently introduced. Goalkeeper Mike Rose had injured his knee and could play no further part in the game. We lost 4-2 at Bolton. It was Bob Stokoe's first game in charge.
Keith received a Lifetime Achievement Award at a gala on Thursday, 9 June 2005 to mark the club's centenary. He received a "Sammy" - a miniature version of the just-unveiled Sam Bartram statue.
This BT Sport documentary about him is well worth a watch:
Born 13 May 1972 in Brighton (45 today)
Steve Brown is another legend profiled in Michael Walsh's "A Nostalgic Look at a Century of the Club".
He was a central defender playing 242 games for Charlton between 1990-2002 and scoring nine goals. He ended up in goal on four occasions because of injuries to the keeper during his 12 years at the Valley.
"You're not meant to get too involved with the emotions of the whole thing if you're a footballer because you've got a job to do, but I cann't ignore the fact that Charlton means an awful lot to me" said Steve Brown. According to Michael Walsh he was a never-say-die, thunder-thighs defender who deserves to be treasured as dearly as his "Sailor" namesake.
His 12-year career as an Addick saw us twice promoted to the Premier League, once as Championship champions and once via the play-off final with Sunderland when he scored one of the penalties.
He captained Charlton on many occasions and played in the team which equaled the league record at that time of 12 straight wins. He was an integral part of the squad which retained Premier League status in 2001 and he helped Charlton secure their highest ever Premier League finish.
Steve Brown was signed by Alan Pardew at Reading in 2002 where he stayed for two years before a recurring ligament injury ended his playing career.
Born 29 May (33) in Chatham
According to Lancashire Lad's excellent Statbank for last season, Crofts was 7th in average marks having played 44 games, more than any other Addick. He scored one goal, four assists. In the discipline department he gave away fewer free kicks than most of the team (two yellows).
I've been a bit slower in discovering Statbank. A great record of the season. Thanks LL.
Andrew Crofts is a Welsh international who joined the Addicks on a one-year deal in July 2016 following a successful trial with the club. He began his career at Gillingham, later joining and skippering Brighton. After a season he signed for Norwich playing a key role in the Canaries' rise to the Premiership. Later he re-joined Brighton, spending the last two months of 2015/16 on loan at Gillingham.
He has been capped 28 times for Wales.
Born 31 May 1928 (89) at Crayford
A one-club man who made 277 appearances for Charlton, Derek Ufton was a multi-talented sportsman who kept wicket for Kent between 1949 and 1962 taking 270 catches and 44 stumpings. He was a left-handed batsman.
Ufton made his debut for Charlton against Liverpool in November 1949 and was a mainstay of the Addicks during the 1950s. He would undoubtedly have made many more appearances and earned more than one* international cap if a series of injuries had not blighted his career. His problem was shoulder dislocations, an injury which occurred on no fewer than 20 occasions during his career (Charlton Athletic on This Day by Matthew Eastley).
Derek Ufton played for Charlton between 1949 and 1960. He coached at Tooting and Mitcham in 1961 where he stayed until joining Malcolm Allison as a coach at Plymouth Argyle in 1964. He replaced Allison in 1965 for the next three seasons.
He was named President of Kent CCC in 2001 and he served on the Charlton Board of Directors from 1984 to 2009.
Derek Ufton joined the Charlton fans' Hall of Fame in 2015 joining the likes of Sam Bartram, Derek Hales, Clive Mendonca, Harold Hobbis and Mark Kinsella.
*. He is often quoted in the records as gaining one international cap against the Rest of the World, but I seem to recall he also played against Hungary at Wembley - could be wrong though.
England squad 20th October 1953, one day before England drew 4-4 with "Rest of the World" at Wembley. Ufton is back row 3rd from the left (I suspect that Henry may tell you that shirt is now in the museum). The trainer on the right of the picture is our own
DerekJimmy Trotter.Edited to remove Del Boy. Thanks Oggy.
As every Charlton fan already knows, Jimmy Trotter was trainer under the legendary Jimmy Seed throughout the Charlton 'glory years', before succeding the great man himself as manager for a further 5 years.
Born 9 June 1970 at Thurrock, Essex (47)
Andy Hunt played 86 games for Charlton between 1998-2000 scoring 35 goals.
Like strike partner Clive Mendonca, Andy Hunt's career was cut short by illness - after scoring 24 league goals in the 1999/2000 season.
"I couldn't train and couldn't play so I went for tests with the British Olympic Association and they diagnosed me with something called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It was tough to take" - Andy Hunt.
On Saturday, 5 February 2000 striker Andy Hunt plundered a superb hat-trick in a 3-1 win at Stockport County. In the previous league game, Hunt also scored three at Norwich City, making him the first Charlton player to score hat-tricks in successive away league matches. Because Hunt had also scored three at the Valley in September, he became the first Charlton player to score a hat-trick against the same opposition home and away in the same season.
From: Charlton Athletic on this Day by Matthew Eastley
For the last ten years or so Andy Hunt has operated a tourist lodge business in Belize.
Born 19 June 1987 at Rochford (30)
Top of fans' Statbank last season with 12 MOMs and 26 in the top three. He scored 134 goals - our top scorer - in 33 appearances with five assists and 66 shots on goal. Thanks Lancashire lad.
Ricky Holmes became Charlton's first signing of the 2016 summer transfer season when he joined from Northampton for an undisclosed fee on a two-year contract.
After three seasons with Barnet he signed for Portsmouth where he played 50 games scoring twice. He joined Northampton on loan in 2015 before making the move permanent. He excelled, playing a vital role in their title-winning campaign scoring nine goals in 2015/16 league action.
Keep your sticky hands off him Roland. We want to keep him.
Born in Barking on 21 June 1944 (73)
John Dunn was signed by Theo Foley from Aston Villa in July 1971 as a replacement for Charlie Wright who had gone to Bolton. Dunn was Charlton's first-choice keeper between 1971 and 1974 making 118 appearances. He was Charlton's Player of the Year in 1974 before losing his place to the emerging Graham Tutt.