Cyril Hammond

I was sorry to hear of the passing of former Addick Cyril Hammond at the age of 88. He was the subject of my first football argument with my father. I thought that his role in the midfield engine room was insufficiently appreciated (much like Keith Jones in later years), but my father thought that he was nothing more than a 'useful' player.

In my mind's eye I can see 'Squib' Hammond surveying the scene upfield, before putting in a long and accurate pass to a Charlton player. Formerly in the drawing office at Red Barracks in Woolwich, Hammond joined the Addicks after National Service in 1950/51. He stayed with Charlton until 1957/58 when he was transferred to Colchester. In 296 matches, he scored just seven goals.