Met Lennie Lawrence at my local last night

Yeh, didn't Curbs drown kittens for a laugh?

Well it's far better than going to Palace ;-)

maths

Lennie is a nice fella.....nothing more to add really.
Has a lot of old friends who frequent The Red Lion in Bromley North, where he can often be found.

Nice pub, I like it in there.

That's my local, nice drop of Harveys.

I met Lennie on the last train home from a Christmas party. Train was packed, I was steaming, he was standing by the doors and I spotted him and called him Sir Lennie, suddenly about 15 palace fans got up and wanted to have there picture taken with him, don't think he amused with me as he was quietly making his way home till I started chatting to him.

I did have the classic drunk chat telling what away games I had attended this year, he seemed on the edge of his seat as some small headed city idiot (me) bored him to tears about our fine 2-0 win away at Sheffield United.

He was polite and friendly enough though and took it in good spirits.

I met LL many times, both in footy and non-footy circles.

Always found him to be a great guy.

The same day he left for Boro, he told me that Charlton was in the best possible hands going forward - both on and off the pitch.

Subsequently we went back to The Valley and into the Prem.

I was sad to see him join the nigels, but I have nothing but admiration for him.

Lennie Lothario as he was knowed when he was with Charlton, fondly remembered to have up to seven women on the go at the same time - Lennie true Charlton legend.

Yes, there's this picture, from the 84-85 pre-season tour I think

Wasn't just coaching techniques he learnt at Plymouth from Malcolm Allison then?

On the positive side I have met him whilst he managed us and he was respectful and good company.

Negatives didn't like the way he left us going to sign Alan Kernaghan from Middlesborough and then taking their job instead , also his recent exploits at Palace.

Curbs once said he was approached by Palace and told them they had to be joking , why couldn't Lennie have done the same thing.

Well, Lennie's salary was probably nowhere near the amount Curbs earned, so I'm sure he needed the money, and unlike everyone else, at least he knows the best ways to drive to Selhurst...

A bit disappointed he didn't try a sabotage the team though, e.g. give us Speroni on a free transfer, play Ambrose at CB etc!

We've got an old match day programme from around 1988. In his notes, Lennie says "Please don't boo the team, I've only got 12 players to choose from so it won't help." - anyone that can maintain top flight football with 12 players deserves permanent respect!

We named our cat Lennie after the man. I suspect that's where these rumours of sleeping around came from. You've just got the wrong Lennie.

now looks like Mr Burns from Simpsons.

An absolute legend in my eyes. The four years we spent in the old first division in the 1980's probaby kept the club alive. Matches like 'The Battle of Stamford Bridge' weren't just about staying up they were probably more about surviving as a club. People talk about what a great job Curbishley did on a small budget (which is true of course) but Lennie had absolutely nothing to work with and we didn't have our own ground at the time. Lennie was a miracle worker and I loved him for it.

Long live Lennie Lawrence

Sometimes people are rude. It's life. I was ballboy at the valley once and ruffs was rude to me. I was heartbroken. He's a vicar now. People have off days.