Lennie Lawrence
Supporting Charlton at the moment feels like we can’t get any lower, but in the early 80’s the football club was at pretty low ebb. The Valley was crumbling, crowds were low, finances weren’t good, and after winning promotion back to the 2nd tier in the early part of the decade we were for sure heading back to the old Division 3.
Then one day the club announced that they had promoted an unknown coach called Lennie Lawrence to first team manager. Lawrence had had a nomadic footballing and coaching career before pitching up at The Valley, to where he lived locally, as reserve team manager.
He supplemented his income by working in a local school, and would often drink in the Catford Cricket Club. On occasion my Dad and I would talk to him and he was so down to earth.
Charlton fans of a certain generation, me included, talk gooey-eyed about Curbs and Powell, but as a teenage boy some of my best times in my life was following Charlton under Lennie Lawrence.
There are no or little comparisons then or since of what Lawrence achieved at Charlton under such desperate circumstances. We won promotion to the old Division 1 the year we left The Valley and then whilst camping at Selhurst Park miraculously stayed in the top tier mixing it with the biggest club’s in the land for four years.
It was true Samson and Goliath stuff and I am convinced that Lawrence in those days kept the club alive by somehow keeping us in the country’s top tier.
Following Charlton in those days with the backdrop of the Back to The Valley campaign for me was the foundation of the club we support today. It was an emotive time, but it was electrifying too as the fanbase unified and potential was realized.
There weren’t many of us, but following us around the country in those Lawrence days we witnessed belief and aspiration way beyond what we thought was achievable. Little old Charlton was no more and Lennie Lawrence was a major part of that.
Lennie is 76 now and has just been appointed as Caretaker Manager of Hartlepool United. His whole career has been nomadic but I believe he moved up that way a few years ago, but his love of the game clearly goes on.
The best of luck Lennie, and thank you.
I’ve had the pleasure to talk with Lennie on numerous occasions and he’s a real gentleman who did so much for the club.
He has a wealth of knowledge in managing and dealing with media.
Pity we didn’t get him in to help us at present but I’m sure he will influence Hartlepool and have a positive impact.
Best of luck Lennie and who knows you could visit the Valley again !!!!
I remember those days fondly…. Jimmy Melrose, Mark Stuart, John Pender, Peter Shirtliff, Bobby ‘do the twist’ Bolder and Curbs as a player…. Probably the most disappointing signings in those days for me were Andy Jones and Ralph Milne…. Do you remember beating Man City 5-0 on a Sunday ?? Haha, how the tide has turned….
I do indeed. Some great names there and plenty of others to add.
Ralph Milne was a troubled soul. He died at just 54.
And I still don’t understand why we have not named a stand after him. As far as I’m concerned him, Curbs and Seed are our 3 most successful managers.
Agree Steve. Is there even a suite or a lounge named after Lennie? Not sure there is. One of the quadrants at the north end of the ground would be perfect. The Lennie Lawrence Corner.
Dear CA
Very pleased that you have devoted this blog to Lennie Lawrence and I wholeheartedly agree with all the comments, I have felt for many years that the club has not paid due respect to this wonderful manager who in my opinion ranks almost alongside Curbs and just behind the legendary Jimmy Seed.
He should be duly recognized by the club whilst he is still alive and maybe enjoy the accolade.
WayneR
Yes I feel that Lennie should be recognised and maybe name a section of a stand after him.
Tommy Caton always springs to mind in the Lennie era such a shame great player who died so young but you are all so right part of the ground should be named after sir Lennie
Being old enough to have enjoyed those Lennie Lawrence days and what he achieved I’ve never understood why the club have never recognised his achievements. We have a Jimmy Seed stand Curbs stand and Lennie gets nothing!!
Always a pleasure to read your blogs: even when the news is not good. In France we have till 31 January to wish a Happy New Year … So Bonne Annee to you and everybody who reads your blogs.
AlanFromParis
Thanks Alan. Not sure if there is a similar tradition in the UK or USA re New Year wishes. I just do it until it sounds a bit silly 😀
I was a seven years old, attending my first game at The Valley( a pre-season match against Liverpool), and this was the summer of the big rebuild under Lennie Lawrence. Those players were legends! Mark Reid and John Humphrey were some of the best full backs we ever had, along with the likes of Shirtliff, Pender, Nicky Johns, Gritt & Shipley, and a nice mix of youth with Rob Lee and Mark Stuart… I could reminisce all day!
Great team wasn’t it. Steve Thompson as well. I loved Rambo.