I was unaware of him leaving or rejoining when he did, only being a wee slip of a lad. I was pleased though when he was name checked in the film Buster.
Saw him score his last goal for Charlton against Birmingham City last game of 66/67 season. His last apprentice for Charlton was against Preston North End first home game of 67/68 .
He would then become acting manager against Aston Villia at home following the sacking of Bob Stokoe afew days earlier.
Saw him score his last goal for Charlton against Birmingham City last game of 66/67 season. His last apprentice for Charlton was against Preston North End first home game of 67/68 .
He would then become acting manager against Aston Villia at home following the sacking of Bob Stokoe afew days earlier.
The Villa game, Eddie's first as manager, was my first Charlton match. Won 3-0.
I'm another one who virtually idolised Eddie in his second playing and his managerial spell with us .. he had two good (one very nearly a promotion) followed by one very bad season as our manager, following which he was sacked .. I suspect that the very strict Italian style regime he tried to impose on a pretty 'English' bunch of players brought about his downfall .. absolutely masterful footballer and a proper gent
A magnificent player and I did not even have the privilege of seeing him in his first spell. I think his record still stands, over one hundred goals in each of the UK and Italy. In this day and age a player of his ability would never be transferred to a lower division. It was ridiculous that Gliksten even wanted to sell him in the first place. A bit of fantasy football here; a pairing of Firmani with Hales or Mendonca that would have been special. Not now though, in saying that..........
Firmani begun as a left back ( 50s speak ) Once he was moved further forward his prolific scoring commenced . The partnership with Leary produced some of the best football ever seen at the Valley . Firmani being transferred was hugely disappointing , £ 35000 at the time was the highest fee recorded.
I'm another one who virtually idolised Eddie in his second playing and his managerial spell with us .. he had two good (one very nearly a promotion) followed by one very bad season as our manager, following which he was sacked .. I suspect that the very strict Italian style regime he tried to impose on a pretty 'English' bunch of players brought about his downfall .. absolutely masterful footballer and a proper gent
Yep. I remember that. I think his managerial downfall started the season he insisted the players started calling him Mr Firmani. It went to his head a bit after nearly getting promotion the previous season. Should have left it as it was. A shame at the time. He was a Charlton legend.
Like many I idolised Eddie Firmani on his return in the 60's. He scored 2 goals in his first game away to Man City. Then, his first home game he scored at the Jimmy Seed end, a blistering shot. Although Mike Bailey was my top favourite player of that Era.
I'm another one who virtually idolised Eddie in his second playing and his managerial spell with us .. he had two good (one very nearly a promotion) followed by one very bad season as our manager, following which he was sacked .. I suspect that the very strict Italian style regime he tried to impose on a pretty 'English' bunch of players brought about his downfall .. absolutely masterful footballer and a proper gent
Yep. I remember that. I think his managerial downfall started the season he insisted the players started calling him Mr Firmani. It went to his head a bit after nearly getting promotion the previous season. Should have left it as it was. A shame at the time. He was a Charlton legend.
I would speculate that Eddie would have been influenced by a completely different culture of discipline and professionalism he experienced in Italy. Our game back then was still rife with a drinking culture and that was certainly true of the Charlton side of that era.
Eddie's sale in the mid 50's was the main reason the club was relegated a year later. The end of Jimmy Seed and the top flight era. £35k received and only about 4k spent on his replacement. The Gliksten family taking the money out of the club.
I would speculate that Eddie would have been influenced by a completely different culture of discipline and professionalism he experienced in Italy. Our game back then was still rife with a drinking culture and that was certainly true of the Charlton side of that era.
Think that was a lot of the problem, I think Souness ran into the same problem at Liverpool 25 years later. He was manager when I first went, never saw him play but everyone who did rated him very highly.
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My first Charlton hero and still one of my all time favourites.
He'll be 90 in August God willing.
I think his record still stands, over one hundred goals in each of the UK and Italy. In this day and age a player of his ability would never be transferred to a lower division. It was ridiculous that Gliksten even wanted to sell him in the first place.
A bit of fantasy football here; a pairing of Firmani with Hales or Mendonca that would have been special. Not now though, in saying that..........
Firmani being transferred was hugely disappointing , £ 35000 at the time was the highest fee recorded.
He scored 2 goals in his first game away to Man City.
Then, his first home game he scored at the Jimmy Seed end, a blistering shot.
Although Mike Bailey was my top favourite player of that Era.
Our game back then was still rife with a drinking culture and that was certainly true of the Charlton side of that era.