How Seed was sacked

What was the real story behind Jimmy Seed's departure from Charlton as distinct from the spin at the time?  https://retrocharlton.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-departure-of-jimmy-seed.html

Give Bowyer the time he needs

A video run through of Charlton managers lasting just a few minutes with more attention paid to key figures such as Jimmy Seed and Alan Curbishley, culminating in an appeal to give Lee Bowyer the time and deal he needs: They served and departed

The Great War and Jimmy Seed

BBC North-East takes a look at the Great War and Jimmy Seed. Please note that this is a long report and Seed's story is interwoven with that of others and contemporary events: The Last Pass

Seed's grandson James Dutton commented: 'After arriving in France in the summer of 1916, he struggled, suffering with bad periods of depression, which were only relieved by playing football. He was captain of his battalion team and his good friend Tommy Wilson was captain of another battalion of the Leeds Rifles. These football games really helped him.'

Like so many of those that served, Jimmy remained secretive about many of the details of his time in the army. But his passion for football never wavered and undoubtedly helped him deal with war.

With her brothers away on their European tour of duty, Minnie Seed stole the spotlight. She worked in a munitions factory but had the family's sporting genes. She represented numerous sides in her native North East and beyond - including the most famous of all, Dick, Kerr Ladies.

Seed was gassed twice during the war, but good fortune allowed him to continue his football career and then become Charlton manager. I have dealt with his sacking in 1956 in a recent article in Voice of the Valley. Jimmy's daughter Gladys went into labour on hearing that her dad had effectively been sacked. James Charlton Dutton was born the same day, three weeks early. 'Grandad really struggled after being sacked by Charlton,' added Dutton.

Seed struggled with depression all his life, but he opened up just once to his grandson about his wartime experiences. Dutton describes how much his grandad meant to him.

Seed bust to be removed from The Valley

Jimmy Seed's grandson is going to The Valley tomorrow to retrieve the bust of his grandfather. It is outside the boardroom when it is supposed to be inside the main entrance where it can be seen by fans.

James Dutton said, 'The family loaned it to the club in happier times, but while this regime seems intent on wrecking the club the bust can come home, and I'll return it when the new owners are in place. It's a small gesture, but one that I hopes make a point.'

Lee Bowyer beats Jimmy Seed record

Lee Bowyer is Charlton's most successful manager after 10 games, beating a record established by Jimmy Seed in 1933: Record breaker

Seed grandson condemns regime

Jimmy Seed's grandson James Dutton has pulled out of any involvement in the restoration of the sign on the Jimmy Seed stand and has set out a clear condemnation of the current regime at The Valley, particularly Katrien Meire. It's a powerful piece of writing: Seed sign

Rain, rain, go away

It looks as if it might be raining at The Valley this afternoon and that always makes me uneasy.   It's more difficult to play fluent, passing football on a slippery surface and the ball can do strange things, leading to freak goals for the less good side.

Of course, it's not like the 1950s when players had to skim the ball across the surface of puddles.   Most pitches, even at non-league level, are excellent today (Leamington have received a number of national awards for theirs).   However, I do remember visiting a village club when the Brakes were lower down the non-league system and our first question on seeing the pitch was 'When does the tide come back in?'

I used to regard the tide being in on Deptford Creek as a good omen: low tide meant a loss, and half tide a draw.   Of course, like all such nonsense, it stopped working after a while.

Phil Brown may need an umbrella this afternoon, otherwise his tan could go all streaky.

Let's hope we can get a win, requiring Gabby Logan on Final Score to use the same tone of surprise and disgust that she did last week to state that Charlton were still top of League 1.   I suppose it goes with being an unfashionable club.   I always remember ITV News describing us as 'the tiny London club' when we won the play-off final.

It's actually quite surprising (or perhaps not) that many football fans have no idea how we are doing.   In the past week or so, I have talked about football with season ticket holders at Derby County, Nottingham Forest and Oxford United and none of them knew that we were top of League 1.   Indeed, the Oxford supporter said, 'We could be playing you next season.'    In a nightmare.

Do I know which club is top of League 2?   Well I do, actually.

One good memory is of this day in 1955 when we beat Manchester City 5-2 at The Valley.   There was no room for strikers Bobby Ayre and Jimmy Gauld but manager Jimmy Seed said, 'Both are decent fellows and will understand'