It is time for the annual vote to elect three former Charlton players into the Hall of Fame and once again the selections will prove difficult. From the period since 1981 there is a choice of Paul Mortimer, Scott Parker or Peter Shirtliff. From the period 1951-80 you must choose between Mike Bailey, Alan Campbell and Brian Kinsey and in the pre-1950 category we have this year gone back to the very early years for George Armitage, Scotty Kingsley and Norman Smith. There is probably nobody still living who saw them play, but their contributions to Charlton's history were every bit as important as those who followed them, so judge their achievements and vote accordingly. It is a simple on line voting process and the link is
https://surveyhero.com/c/ddf639cc . The winners will be announced at the Player Of The Year Dinner on 5th May and their names added to the Honours Board in the Museum.
Comments
The others are difficult.
Do I vote for the player who I most liked to watch or the player that achieved most for the club......it’s difficult to choose and needs some serious thought.
Doesnt stand a chance against Mortimer or Shirtliff for me... I'll probably go for the latter because of that Play-Off game
i.e. Is there a set number of years since leaving as surely the likes of Johnnie Jackson / Chris Solly will be up for it one day - Also notice that we're coming close to forty years between 1981 and the present so will a fourth era eventually open?
Those hips were ridiculous.
Very good player for us but he doesn't live in the same company as Paul Mortimer, Scott Parker or Peter Shirtliff.
We were blessed to have Kins so relatively soon after him, and then Captain Fantastic from 2011/12.
Maybe right from the early twenties, right through that amazing twenties giant killing cup run right through the triple promotions up to the war.
Right back.
I never saw Kingsley, Smith or Armitage play but I can read about how they were important parts of our history.
One aim of the hall of fame is to bring the names and deeds of long gone players to the attention of current fans.
Otherwise we forget them and so our history.
When that happens we become the club that Meire and Duchatelet want, where our history doesn't matter.
Maybe that is inevitable.
1981 on: Mortimer, Parker, Shirtliff. Morts on song was a joy to watch with his ability to beat, even humiliate, an opponent. Parker was an excellent midfielder and unreal during 2003/2004 when he often appeared to do the work of two men. However Shirtliff's contribution to the 1987 play-off final arguably kept a club in exile alive. For that reason he gets my vote.
1951-1980: Bailey, Campbell, Kinsey. Bailey had a blend of no little skill, physical presence and endeavour which was good enough to win him England caps as a second division footballer. I was very young when he played for Charlton but I could see his quality even as a small boy. Campbell, a joy to watch as our very own 'George Best glamour player' yet he did the hard work too and in hindsight we were lucky to keep him as long as we did. Kinsey I just about remember as a winger but it is as a full back I mainly saw him play. He was a thoroughly competent dedicated professional and club man even if he lost a bit of pace towards the end of his 400 plus matches. In my view any man who plays 400 plus matches has to be in the Hall of Fame so Kinsey gets my vote.
Pre 1950: Armitage one of Charlton's few English internationals. Scotty Kingsley a name I can remember my grandfather waxing lyrical about. Norman Smith for many years our leading appearance maker until Big Sam overtook him to be followed by Hewie and Peacock. As I said above about Kinsey any man who makes 400 plus appearances deserves to be in the Hall of Fame so Smith gets my vote.
Smith
Kinsey
Shirtliff