I'm Steve, Kevin's son. Reading these comments makes me immensely proud of my father. He would've loved to have seen them. Unfortunately the 'wordsmith' gene skips a generation so I won't be able to fill his slot in the press box. Just have to keep checking those extinguishers and fire doors in my role as Fire Steward on match days instead 🥴. I also loved his reports. My favourite line of his?..... Commenting on the Dutch centre forward's performances after signing for CAFC in 2006 "Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Took the money and didn't run". Genius 🤣
Steve - very sorry for your loss, your dad (and your mum) were both great friends to my dad when he was alive. He loved chatting to them both about all things Charlton.
Hi Steve, I have grown up reading your dad’s reports and they have meant a great deal to me on my Charlton journey. His wit and sarcasm sprinkled through a match report made me smile, even after a defeat
Thinking of you, your family and your loved ones at this difficult time
His wonderful match reports were often the only thing that would bring a smile back after yet another dismal performance. He had the most fantastic turn of phrase and innovative way of describing football. Our Charlton world has shrunk without him.
Very few people genuinely inspire you in life. Kevin certainly inspired me to pursue a career in journalism. There are even fewer writers in life whose work you actively look forward to reading. It is no exaggeration to say that back in the 1980s and 90s, I looked forward to Kevin's reports in The Mercury more than anything. I lived in a low rise block of flats in Abbey Wood at the time and copies of The Mercury would be left in the downstairs entrance. On delivery, I would literally race down there to get my copy to read what Kevin had written about the previous match. He had unique powers of description and a wonderful way with words. I can't think of any other writer I'd anticipate with such enthusiasm. He wrote with humour, wit and a precision which was a delight to read. I remember one particular report following a game against Everton at Selhurst Park in which Neville Southall had a blinder for the visitors including one fantastic save where he managed to keep out a ball he had no right to do so. Southall was known for having a somewhat dishevelled appearance and Kevin's report was something to the tune of: "The ball was destined for the net but then somehow a pile of dirty laundry scrambled across the line to the right and parried it to safety." It was great imagery from Kevin. When I became a journalist and author myself, Kevin was the writer I wanted to emulate. I was lucky enough to meet him on a number of occasions and I found him as entertaining in person as he was a writer, a really decent man who had no time for cliches, platitudes or insincerity. He could spot a fraud a mile off. I last met him at The Valley for The Charlton v Cray Valley Paper Mills Cup tie last year which I was covering for BBC Radio Kent. Rather shyly I finally told him how much of an influence he had been on me and how I had tried hard to emulate his style. Kevin had a barbed wit and I wasn't sure how he would react. But he was astute enough to know I was being totally sincere and so he just looked me in the eyes, shook my hand and said: "Thanks Matt. That means a lot." Probably not as much as it meant to me though. The world is a sadder place without him. RIP Kevin.
Very few people genuinely inspire you in life. Kevin certainly inspired me to pursue a career in journalism. There are even fewer writers in life whose work you actively look forward to reading. It is no exaggeration to say that back in the 1980s and 90s, I looked forward to Kevin's reports in The Mercury more than anything. I lived in a low rise block of flats in Abbey Wood at the time and copies of The Mercury would be left in the downstairs entrance. On delivery, I would literally race down there to get my copy to read what Kevin had written about the previous match. He had unique powers of description and a wonderful way with words. I can't think of any other writer I'd anticipate with such enthusiasm. He wrote with humour, wit and a precision which was a delight to read. I remember one particular report following a game against Everton at Selhurst Park in which Neville Southall had a blinder for the visitors including one fantastic save where he managed to keep out a ball he had no right to do so. Southall was known for having a somewhat dishevelled appearance and Kevin's report was something to the tune of: "The ball was destined for the net but then somehow a pile of dirty laundry scrambled across the line to the right and parried it to safety." It was great imagery from Kevin. When I became a journalist and author myself, Kevin was the writer I wanted to emulate. I was lucky enough to meet him on a number of occasions and I found him as entertaining in person as he was a writer, a really decent man who had no time for cliches, platitudes or insincerity. He could spot a fraud a mile off. I last met him at The Valley for The Charlton v Cray Valley Paper Mills Cup tie last year which I was covering for BBC Radio Kent. Rather shyly I finally told him how much of an influence he had been on me and how I had tried hard to emulate his style. Kevin had a barbed wit and I wasn't sure how he would react. But he was astute enough to know I was being totally sincere and so he just looked me in the eyes, shook my hand and said: "Thanks Matt. That means a lot." Probably not as much as it meant to me though. The world is a sadder place without him. RIP Kevin.
I heard the very sad news during the game yesterday. Kevin’s writing was a highlight of the week, over all the years, even when the games themselves had so little to write home about. He wrote as the devoted fan that he was but with a talent for words and descriptive brilliance, which was also often hilarious, that very few journalists have.
I remember running the line in a Charlton staff match against their Spanner opposites. Kev kindly pointed out a number of offsides for me during the game which I had “missed” (thank God there was no VAR that day 😉).
I’m sorry I never got to hand him a Charlton Irish badge, but hopefully someone did. My sincere condolences to Kevin’s family and friends. Go Raibh Suaimhneas Siorai Air.
When I started supporting Charlton in the early 90's I was at my most fanatical about them, and absolutely loved and looked forward to Kevin's match reports in the Mercury. Actually wished I'd kept them rather than the huge tub of programs I often refuse to collect from my parents house.
I never pursued a career in sports journalism, but for a long while those match reports had me absolutely convinced that I wanted to, the point that I'd go to Charlton park and watch a Sunday league game and write up my own very bad reports, making up players names and embelishing the turgid details that unfolded in front of my eyes.
RIP and massive condolences to the family and all those close to him.
I was a regular at Marvels Lane Boys Club, near Grove Park in the early eighties. I had some great Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays there and Kevin was a huge reason why it was so much fun. Whether he was driving the mini bus to fixtures, playing pool or football his wit and personality made us all laugh out loud. Fantastic times. A Boys Club and Charlton legend. Rest in Peace Kevin.
Funny, you get to a certain age and remember stuff from years ago better than what happened yesterday.... in the late 80's/early 90's I worked in Plumstead and on Thursdays when the Mercury came out I'd trudge upto Plumstead Bridge and get a copy, bit of lunch, and go back to my desk and chuckle through Kev's reports. This was when there was no internet etc, and the local press was about all the coverage we got.
I'm sure it was Kev's report on the Battle of the Bridge in 1988 that detailed the last minute when basically Paul Miller stopped one of the Chelsea forwards from getting to a through ball by hitting him with a right hook. The ref saw it but decided to ignore it, Kev's summation was "His indecision was final"
Jeez, didn't realise he'd passed at home, went past it on the bus yesterday morning en route to Walsall, thought of so many great memories of Kevin as the speed bumps we're being negotiated, hopefully many more will be shared.
Comments
One of the few journalists who reported the game as it was, without the hysterics.
RIP Kevin.
I'm Steve, Kevin's son. Reading these comments makes me immensely proud of my father. He would've loved to have seen them.
Unfortunately the 'wordsmith' gene skips a generation so I won't be able to fill his slot in the press box. Just have to keep checking those extinguishers and fire doors in my role as Fire Steward on match days instead 🥴.
I also loved his reports.
My favourite line of his?..... Commenting on the Dutch centre forward's performances after signing for CAFC in 2006
"Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Took the money and didn't run". Genius 🤣
Very sorry for your loss (and ours too). All best wishes to your family.
@Elthamaddick said:
Steve - very sorry for your loss, your dad (and your mum) were both great friends to my dad when he was alive. He loved chatting to them both about all things Charlton.
Hi Steve, I have grown up reading your dad’s reports and they have meant a great deal to me on my Charlton journey. His wit and sarcasm sprinkled through a match report made me smile, even after a defeat
Thinking of you, your family and your loved ones at this difficult time
RIP Kevin, your a Charlton legend
Deepest sympathy to the family.
RIP Kevin
Wrapped up warm for a chilly press box with his leather brief case/ February 2021
I lived in a low rise block of flats in Abbey Wood at the time and copies of The Mercury would be left in the downstairs entrance.
On delivery, I would literally race down there to get my copy to read what Kevin had written about the previous match. He had unique powers of description and a wonderful way with words. I can't think of any other writer I'd anticipate with such enthusiasm.
He wrote with humour, wit and a precision which was a delight to read.
I remember one particular report following a game against Everton at Selhurst Park in which Neville Southall had a blinder for the visitors including one fantastic save where he managed to keep out a ball he had no right to do so. Southall was known for having a somewhat dishevelled appearance and Kevin's report was something to the tune of: "The ball was destined for the net but then somehow a pile of dirty laundry scrambled across the line to the right and parried it to safety." It was great imagery from Kevin.
When I became a journalist and author myself, Kevin was the writer I wanted to emulate.
I was lucky enough to meet him on a number of occasions and I found him as entertaining in person as he was a writer, a really decent man who had no time for cliches, platitudes or insincerity. He could spot a fraud a mile off.
I last met him at The Valley for The Charlton v Cray Valley Paper Mills Cup tie last year which I was covering for BBC Radio Kent.
Rather shyly I finally told him how much of an influence he had been on me and how I had tried hard to emulate his style.
Kevin had a barbed wit and I wasn't sure how he would react.
But he was astute enough to know I was being totally sincere and so he just looked me in the eyes, shook my hand and said: "Thanks Matt. That means a lot."
Probably not as much as it meant to me though.
The world is a sadder place without him.
RIP Kevin.
Beautiful tribute, and very well written
I never pursued a career in sports journalism, but for a long while those match reports had me absolutely convinced that I wanted to, the point that I'd go to Charlton park and watch a Sunday league game and write up my own very bad reports, making up players names and embelishing the turgid details that unfolded in front of my eyes.
RIP and massive condolences to the family and all those close to him.
I'm sure it was Kev's report on the Battle of the Bridge in 1988 that detailed the last minute when basically Paul Miller stopped one of the Chelsea forwards from getting to a through ball by hitting him with a right hook. The ref saw it but decided to ignore it, Kev's summation was "His indecision was final"
Genius