Iâve put this thread up off the back of a bit of banter on another⦠In all my years of supporting Charlton Athletic I have never come across a player who polarised opinion quite like Carl Leaburn. I have many friends who are avid followers of Charlton, the majority of whom were there week in and week out during his so called âhey dayâ. Some of them loved him and some loathed him (I sit firmly on the latter side of the fence). It would appear that heâs very much Charlton Athleticâs equivalent of âMarmiteâ. Iâd be interested to get your thoughts so pick the statement from the poll that you think is best attributed to the man himself⦠Cheers Franco
I'm not really in a position to pass judgement as I'm too young ever to have seen him play. Watching old season reviews, which only show the highlights, means I only ever see his best bits and not the frustrating ones. So I shall abstain, if that's allowed.
Of course Captain... I am very envious as I wish I'd only seen his good bits (bloody short DVD that must've been though )
I only remember him towards the very end, but as a kid I found him frustrating and would always be asking why he would play. Since then, understanding the game more than I did then (maybe not?), I like to try and look back with fond memories. He seemed to always try, not easy when you had your own fans screaming at you. A cult hero more than a legend.
i think he was a bloody good player. trademark thumping header back from where it came from, top corner. hatrick v ipswich my personal favourite was his goal v derby at the baseball ground. 1 on 1 with shilts, shimmy, class...garry nelson scored the winner in the 93rd minute and it was pandemonium !!!
Great memories there, calydon. I remember him having a blinder at Birmingham as well in a 5-1? victory. A definite legend.
I remember him as a young lad when we played at palace, all arms and legs! On his day awesome, but i understand why people don't like him.
Carlo is a Legend. He could hold the ball up front and bring others into play. Downside was he very rarely had a shot himself preferring to play others in
He spent most of the time falling over! He scored the first ever Charlton goal I saw, so I will always be fond of the cumbersome brut! Another personal highlight seeing him kick the ball and the Ref into the back of the net during a 5-1 win against Notts County!
Agree with you Rifleman - never saw a player whose hold up game was better, shielding the ball until others had got into position to lay it off to - also revived and perfected the subtle art of the chest-off. Absolutely selfless player.
It is great to see so many in favour of Carlo. Perhaps we can start a survey to see how many appreciated the undoubted talent of Kenny Achampong?!?
Oh Kenny Achampong, I remember you well, although I can honestley say I dont remember him ever playing!
Leaburn will be a legend for all the wrong reasons, in the playground he was the one Charlton player all the Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs fans etc knew and all for the wrong reasons at the time it felt like we had the worst striker in the world - during the Selhurst days
In this side and in this league Leaburn would be a revalation. Thrown into the team very young,great in the air didnt score enough BUT that was in the premierleague championship equivalent. Good player and lovely man a real gent who is ofen seen watching games at the valley
When Carl first got into the team he was way too timid. Later on as he got older and stronger he really did improve. Will never forget the time he got a whack from someone and spent the rest of the game chasing them around trying to kill them!! Comical.
Do you remember the battle of the bridge, when Steve Wickes punched Carlo off the ball. The physio Jimmy Hendry had to restrain him from chasing after Wickesy. We ended up drawing the game 1-1 and sent Chelsea into the play-offs where they lost to Middlesbrough and got relegated.
The battle of the Bridge...brilliant day,Chelsea were given a penalty when the offence was committed nearer the halfway line....rediculous homer. I remember carlo getting wacked ...and paul miller disghing out revenge justice,a few fist flew on the terraces that day to0.
