Bob Charles 1941-2014

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Ex-Saints goalkeeper 1959-61, Bob Charles has sadly passed away.

 

Bob played in goal when 3rd Division Saints famously beat 1st Division Man City in the FA Cup 5-1 in 1960, he was a larger than life character who made his debut between the sticks aged just 17 but a broken elbow curtailed a promising career. He played a total of 35 games for the club. He was in digs with Micky Channon and was a well known figure around Bedford Place in the 70s. He later had a car sales business in Portswood. Condolences to his wife Maureen and family.

[SOTONS EAST SIDE]

RIP Bob a good servant for our club. ?

[lifeintheslowlane]

Sorry to hear that...took a penalty against him at a fete at Wynter Road Rec in 1959...he saved it

R.I.P big man.

Edited 9 March, 2014 by lifeintheslowlane

[spyinthesky]

Used to see him down at the old Car Auction next to Ranks Mill back in the 70's

[Fitzhugh Fella]

David Bull has shared some memories on another list -

 

"Herbie muses that Duncan and I might know more re the death of Bob

Charles. Not so in my case. Duncan e-mailed me this a.m to say news of

Bob's death (on Thu 6th, it said) was on Bill Beaney's Facebook.

 

I didnt know Bob was ill. You may have spotted him, Herbie, at the

launch of ALL the SAINTS. I spoke to him on his arrival, when he

declined to be part of the player's front-of-house line-up and I never

saw him again that evening.

 

But if Bob was shy in public, he made up for it in private interviews.

When I spoke to him for Ted Bates's biog, Bob gave me a graphic

goal-by-goal a/c of the famous 5-1 Cup win at Man City - brilliantly

conveying what it was like to be a nervous 18 year-old keeper on the big

stage (42,000+ crowd) at Maine Road, unable to believe the goals flying

past Bert Trautmann at the other end.

 

One of the best match-reports I've ever heard. One reviewer of DELL

DIAMOND - Duncan's dad, if memory serves - commented on the novelty of a

goalkeeper reporting in this way. Such good stuff that I've recycled it

in two subseq books and am likely to use much of it again in any

Appreciation that I might get to write of Bob for the O/S and/or the

programme".

[hasper57saint]

I actually bought a car from him in the way back beyond. What a great character. RIP Bob. Condolences to the family.

[9-3]

Oh dear. Too young. RIP Bob Charles

[Mr Brightside]

Was mates with his son at school and remember him giving advice from the sidelines - wasted on me I'm afraid!

Very sad to hear and thoughts to his family.

[ottery st mary]

RIP Bob Charles.

[SarniaSaint]

Used to see him down at the old Car Auction next to Ranks Mill back in the 70's

 

went there a couple of times full of junk cars LOL

 

But RIP

[Norm]

RIP Bob.

[Toomer]

Had the pleasure to be in Bobs company a few times and good company he was, RIP Bob.

[stanthemanfairoak]

Used to see him down at the old Car Auction next to Ranks Mill back in the 70's

RIP big fella well liked by us all in the motor trade.

[Trumush]

Mick Channon has done a tribute to Bob on his Mick Channon.tv site.

 

Worth a read.

 

RIP big fella

[lifeintheslowlane]

Mick Channon has done a tribute to Bob on his Mick Channon.tv site.

 

Worth a read.

 

RIP big fella

 

Yep top read...written with a lot of love.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/an-appreciation-bob-charles-1409063.aspx

[saintalan]

Just before my time. RIP Bob

[ottery st mary]

Bob...passed on Thursday aged 82 years and another Saints GK John Christie passed in the last few days aged 84 years....John has been coming to Saints games up to his passing..

 

RIP Bob and John.

 

 

Thanks FF for putting up about John..

 

Whilst BB was telling me.....you saved me starting the thread..

 

Fond memories of these Saints from my days starting...1956/7 out behind the Goal Milton Road end...

Edited 10 March, 2014 by ottery st mary

[Norm]

Oh such sad news of lovely John's death. I often stopped to chat with John outside reception at home games. I remember introducing my young grandson to John some 7 or 8 years ago by telling young Harry that John was one of Saints big stars. Harry (then 6-7) even asked John for his autograph! It gave John a good giggle. He was a really lovely man to chat to. RIP

[Morph]

Mick Channon has done a tribute to Bob on his Mick Channon.tv site.

 

Worth a read.

 

RIP big fella

 

 

http://www.mickchannon.tv/page/news

[Morph]

From Mick's site

 

"A TRIBUTE TO BOB CHARLES - SOUTHAMPTON'S ROUGH DIAMOND

Things get harder as we grow older. Especially when those who we never expect to leave us go.

If you're a Southampton 'Mush' or a 'Nipper' of a certain vintage, you may well know about a character who defined the word "Banter" and threw away the rulebook when it came to decorum.

Bob Charles was a Southampton lad who was born in Bursledon in 1941 and died on Friday.

Those are the facts of the matter, but if you knew the man, he's fondly remembered by two of his best mates here; Phil & Mick Channon. Their first thoughts are extended towards his long suffering and devoted wife Maureen.

This isn't a sad, or miserable tale of a man who has left us all too soon - although he did.

Bob Charles was a person who everyone will remember with a smile.

From his prodigious appearances as England's Youth Team Goalkeeper and room-mate of Nobby Stiles, to his following incarnations as a docker and then a second hand car dealer, he remained an all-round banter merchant and a joy to know.

Bob was a rough diamond, full of verve and full of opinion. No wonder he and the two Channon brothers got on so well.

Bob was their Big Brother. He wasn't the sort of older sibling who commanded their respect mind you. He was the one who they took the **** out of mercilessly.

Between the years 1965-2014 if we're to be precise.

As a goalkeeper for Southampton, Bob watched on in 1960 as Saints, a third division side, dismantled Manchester City 5-1 in a famous FA Cup tie at Maine Road with Bert Trautmann in the opposition's goal.

Although the great Trautmann's dignity in congratulating Bob on their victory after the final whistle lived with the then eighteen year old until the end of his days, other people's affection for Bob Charles will endure for far longer.

Mick takes up the tale.

"I first saw Bob Charles when I went to The Dell to watch Saints with my dad. As a kid, I only ever watched Derek Reeves and Terry Paine to be honest. They were my idols, but all us Saints fans wanted to watch was goals! 5-4, 4-3, 3-2 - Reevesy always scored at least two and I never watched the goalie.

"As long as we saw goals, that's all I can remember caring about, but we all heard about the Cup win at City, it was Southampton's biggest boast back then.

"Bob was in a team who went forward, not back, and we'd come all the way from Salisbury Plain, so I never watched him closely.

"Bob was an old arse when I first met him a few years later. He'd have been 25 at least! I was in digs with Tommy Traynor, a super man. He was a devout Catholic, loved his family and looked after me superbly.

"To cut a long story short, Bob had broken his arm and his career ended abruptly at Weymouth and I ended up moving into digs with him because he was a docker with Tommy once they'd finished at The Dell.

"We were almost in the same age bracket me and Bob, and although Tommy was very much a mentor in terms of discipline and guidance, I was on almost £10 a week, so me and Bob moved in together and had some right laughs - as young lads do."

"That was when Phil came into the picture. He's four years younger than me and nine years younger than Bob but they had a special relationship. Phil absolutely slaughtered him. I can't remember a day when Bob wasn't hammered by Phil. I used to take the **** out of the lads in the dressing room, but Phil murdered Bob for the next forty years."

Phil reluctantly takes up the story.

"The first time I saw Bob, he was lying on the sofa in the digs he shared with Mick, almost completely naked. You don't forget that sort of a moment.

"From then on, we were like brothers. Bob was the competitive one, always buying, selling, bargaining, scheming. Sometimes with us as well

"My kids were all supplied with their first cars from 'Sandhurst Motors' and I know Mick's were as well. Some of them didn't break down for a week or two and some of them even had MOT certificates.

"Bob loved coming on our shoot days up to West Ilsley in the later years - Me and Neil used to take the **** something rotten but they are days I'll never forget. So much fun. Such a great lad. The hub of our humour.

"For the last twenty odd years at seven o'clock every Sunday morning he'd be round at my house in Bishop's Waltham - Moaning, whingeing, complaining about this, that or the other. The fruit and veg stock went by-the-by on them occasions, although he still took a box load of Hyland's produce back to Maureen once he'd finished grumbling.

"I'll miss those Sundays we had together - A cup of tea and a moan with my mate. I swear Maureen deserves a medal."

Bob Charles was a legend indeed. The Channon family have lost a special friend, someone who each and every one of us will never forget.

Grandma, Jane, Mick, Jill, Phil, Liz, Nicky, Michael, Ruth, Neil, Amber, Jack, India and all of the kids offer their love and support to Maureen, Marc, Linda and the whole Charles family who congregate every Boxing Day at the top of Hill Lane - Bob's Birthday was always good fun.

We have a two year old for this season: We've called it 'Honest Bob'.

Well, when you're writing something poignant about Bob Charles, you've got to take the **** haven't you?"

 

Great summary

 

 

Regards

 

 

 

Morph

[Fitzhugh Fella]

From Mick's site

 

"A TRIBUTE TO BOB CHARLES - SOUTHAMPTON'S ROUGH DIAMOND

Things get harder as we grow older. Especially when those who we never expect to leave us go.

If you're a Southampton 'Mush' or a 'Nipper' of a certain vintage, you may well know about a character who defined the word "Banter" and threw away the rulebook when it came to decorum.

Bob Charles was a Southampton lad who was born in Bursledon in 1941 and died on Friday.

Those are the facts of the matter, but if you knew the man, he's fondly remembered by two of his best mates here; Phil & Mick Channon. Their first thoughts are extended towards his long suffering and devoted wife Maureen.

This isn't a sad, or miserable tale of a man who has left us all too soon - although he did.

Bob Charles was a person who everyone will remember with a smile.

From his prodigious appearances as England's Youth Team Goalkeeper and room-mate of Nobby Stiles, to his following incarnations as a docker and then a second hand car dealer, he remained an all-round banter merchant and a joy to know.

Bob was a rough diamond, full of verve and full of opinion. No wonder he and the two Channon brothers got on so well.

Bob was their Big Brother. He wasn't the sort of older sibling who commanded their respect mind you. He was the one who they took the **** out of mercilessly.

Between the years 1965-2014 if we're to be precise.

As a goalkeeper for Southampton, Bob watched on in 1960 as Saints, a third division side, dismantled Manchester City 5-1 in a famous FA Cup tie at Maine Road with Bert Trautmann in the opposition's goal.

Although the great Trautmann's dignity in congratulating Bob on their victory after the final whistle lived with the then eighteen year old until the end of his days, other people's affection for Bob Charles will endure for far longer.

Mick takes up the tale.

"I first saw Bob Charles when I went to The Dell to watch Saints with my dad. As a kid, I only ever watched Derek Reeves and Terry Paine to be honest. They were my idols, but all us Saints fans wanted to watch was goals! 5-4, 4-3, 3-2 - Reevesy always scored at least two and I never watched the goalie.

"As long as we saw goals, that's all I can remember caring about, but we all heard about the Cup win at City, it was Southampton's biggest boast back then.

"Bob was in a team who went forward, not back, and we'd come all the way from Salisbury Plain, so I never watched him closely.

"Bob was an old arse when I first met him a few years later. He'd have been 25 at least! I was in digs with Tommy Traynor, a super man. He was a devout Catholic, loved his family and looked after me superbly.

"To cut a long story short, Bob had broken his arm and his career ended abruptly at Weymouth and I ended up moving into digs with him because he was a docker with Tommy once they'd finished at The Dell.

"We were almost in the same age bracket me and Bob, and although Tommy was very much a mentor in terms of discipline and guidance, I was on almost £10 a week, so me and Bob moved in together and had some right laughs - as young lads do."

"That was when Phil came into the picture. He's four years younger than me and nine years younger than Bob but they had a special relationship. Phil absolutely slaughtered him. I can't remember a day when Bob wasn't hammered by Phil. I used to take the **** out of the lads in the dressing room, but Phil murdered Bob for the next forty years."

Phil reluctantly takes up the story.

"The first time I saw Bob, he was lying on the sofa in the digs he shared with Mick, almost completely naked. You don't forget that sort of a moment.

"From then on, we were like brothers. Bob was the competitive one, always buying, selling, bargaining, scheming. Sometimes with us as well

"My kids were all supplied with their first cars from 'Sandhurst Motors' and I know Mick's were as well. Some of them didn't break down for a week or two and some of them even had MOT certificates.

"Bob loved coming on our shoot days up to West Ilsley in the later years - Me and Neil used to take the **** something rotten but they are days I'll never forget. So much fun. Such a great lad. The hub of our humour.

"For the last twenty odd years at seven o'clock every Sunday morning he'd be round at my house in Bishop's Waltham - Moaning, whingeing, complaining about this, that or the other. The fruit and veg stock went by-the-by on them occasions, although he still took a box load of Hyland's produce back to Maureen once he'd finished grumbling.

"I'll miss those Sundays we had together - A cup of tea and a moan with my mate. I swear Maureen deserves a medal."

Bob Charles was a legend indeed. The Channon family have lost a special friend, someone who each and every one of us will never forget.

Grandma, Jane, Mick, Jill, Phil, Liz, Nicky, Michael, Ruth, Neil, Amber, Jack, India and all of the kids offer their love and support to Maureen, Marc, Linda and the whole Charles family who congregate every Boxing Day at the top of Hill Lane - Bob's Birthday was always good fun.

We have a two year old for this season: We've called it 'Honest Bob'.

Well, when you're writing something poignant about Bob Charles, you've got to take the **** haven't you?"

 

Great summary

 

 

Regards

 

 

 

Morph

 

 

Absolute cracking read and a perfect example of why football bonds a city

[Norm]

I enjoyed reading that. Really made me smile.

[Toomer]

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/an-appreciation-bob-charles-1409063.aspx

 

Seeing that picture of Bob with Ron & Tommy, his facial features did not change that much over the years, Ron used to drink in my local Bricklayers in Millbrook when I was a teenager as he played golf with the landlord.