Charlton Athletic A Portsmouth A
This was a big game, with a big build up to a date so important to Addicks’ fans. It ended in tragic circumstances and our number is sadly one less today.
The outpouring of love and affection by those that knew Norman Barker or simply knew of him has been both heartwarming and sad. Yet we should all take solace, and I’m sure his family do, in that when your time is up, what better place to be than in a noisy Covered End surrounded by thousands of your best friends. Many of whom rushed to preserve Norm’s life of course.
A time for reflection, but I wanted to pen a few thoughts on the game. It was only played for 12 minutes but I think we all hope that when we replay it Nathan Jones has more players to pick from.
There was no Amari’i Bell or anyone else on the road to recovery. Rousillion was on the bench and I’m hoping he can play on Tuesday as Hernandez looked lost in those opening moments.
We weren’t good in those 12 minutes. TC looked short of confidence and our forward balls were mostly wayward or landed with snow on them. I was happy to see Olaofe and TC given a chance together again, this time with Carey behind them as Knibbs was benched.
I did feel for Anderson, who deserved his start and looked lively in those opening 12 minutes.
Anyway, those 12 minutes will mean nothing, unlike the life of Norman Barker, and I expect the club and supporters will pay tribute to him on Tuesday night.
Middlesbrough come to town, and another tough game, but together with Headphones Norm looking down from the very top tier of the Covered End, we can all be better.
I didn’t know Norm to talk to but he has been somebody that l recognised at games, home and away, since the late 70s. I am so sorry that somebody went to a game of football to watch their favourite team and never went home. RIP Norm.
Lloyd Jones’ yellow card for stupidly and needlessly kicking the ball away in the 4th minute could have proved costly. Does the card get scrubbed off as the game was abandoned?
I don’t believe it does, which is stupid and annoying.
Have my headphones ready for Tuesday 😪 – and possibly the rest of the season with the added bonus of blocking out annoying and pathetic away fans. Only ever did this for the Scum but it feels more and more necessary. Actually, could we just remove the roof from the south stand?
Bring those fences back from the 80’s?
What a wondrful and compassionate act the Portsmouth faithful have begun, a fund for a longterm faithful supporter. A genuine love for the game no matter which team you support.
I’m sure that Norm’s family and friends appreciate it.
Yes. That is a lovely gesture. A few idiots can often be mistaken for a broader fan base. Always had a lot of time for Pompey. Happy to see this.
RIP Norm.
Devastating news about Headphones, for years, decades even, he was a fixture at matches home and away and he had time for everyone. A lovely bloke who I met and chatted to albeit briefly on many occasions, as did many other fans. Whenever you saw him I always smiled.
As for the match…Portsmouth started out brightly but it reminded me of the occasions when we’d look good for the first 15/20 minutes of the match and then fade. We never got to see how it would pan out though.
Anyway RIP Norm, I’m sure there’ll be a tribute on Tuesday night.