#41 Les Surman was a goalkeeper, who played one league game for Charlton during the 1965-66 season. He joined Charlton as a 17 year old after getting through a four game trial, so he's the closest thing included so far to an academy player. He got a professional contract at CAFC, but was the least successful of five goalkeepers used by Charlton during that season. Surman left to join Rotherham in April 1966 but only played one game for them as well. Retiring from football at a young age he joined the Police, but sadly died young as well, at the age of 31.
He was there in a baseball cap. Received a community award after the match, and acknowledged the fans singing about his hatred of Millwall. He looked pretty fit, not sure about Lloyd Jones being 100% fit when he received his POTY award.
I'm not even sure I have Gasman's stats right (appearances). One source says 19 league apps when starts & sub appearances are combined, which I'm willing to believe. But I'm not sure if he has made 10, 11 or 12 starts and 7, 8 or 9 sub apps. Presumably it will be one combination of those, adding up to 19 total. If anyone knows for sure let me know please and I'll amend the card if required
Will resume my 'One Season Wonders' again shortly... Also had another CAFC Top Trumps idea - 52 Greatest games. Will have to think about the categories for that one...
Plenty of hidden gems among the roughly 4,500 games played in all competitions so far... Feb 11 1939 ... Charlton 7-1 Manchester United
Another would be the game we beat Udders with 10 men from 5-1 down. Their manager was Bill Shankly and Denis Law was injured otherwise he was in their team.
Here's a first draft sample of a 'Greatest Games' card; I tried to create categories which would work for all competitions, and ensure that no single card would be 'unbeatable'. The weak spot of the above card being the comparative slightness of the reward for this victory. Some of the categories are difficult to compare directly so I introduced a 'star' rating. A Cup Final for instance would be 5 stars A 1st Division game or Cup semi-Final would be 4 stars A 2nd Division game or Cup quarter-Final 3 stars etc. It's a bit subjective, but hopefully would make a Top Trumps game playable with a full pack of cards.
Minor point, Lardy. The playoff final for promotion to the Premiership is labelled The Richest Game in Football. Surely 5-star reward?
A fair point. But (as you may know) I detest the effect mega-money has on football. Was the playoff Final the biggest money spinner back in 1998? Perhaps. Granted that game is a 'Final', played at Wembley with all the bells & whistles, and even a trophy. But in the end it's two 2nd tier teams who weren't good enough to claim an automatic place, slugging it out for the 3rd top tier spot in a manner which adds excitement to the closing part of a season. In the end that's all the play-offs are about. Trying to ensure the last six weeks of a season aren't overly full of dead rubber games - and very successful it is too. I feel a 4 star rating is OK for the 2nd tier play-off Final, though granted the 1998 one will never be surpassed for excitement. My inclination is to reserve 5 stars for the FA Cup Final, League Cup Final and games in European tournaments. Sadly I realise that will leave the CAFC greatest games Top Trumps a bit light on 5 star listings. PS: If I include any matches from our long ago amateur era I guess the competition rating will be one star. We did win a dozen knock-out Cup competitions back in those days.
I'll continue to post cards from all four ongoing sets; Best players Worst players One season wonders Greatest games Any suggestions for any of those sets will be gratefully received. For greatest games I'll probably do the 'Black Sabbath' win over Arsenal soon, and our Pre-War demolition of Man Utd that I mentioned earlier...
