Tribute to the Roof I am a bit old to have favourite players, as a kid it was Paddy Powell, then Paul Walsh, but anyone who wears the red shirt with pride & belief and gives 110% is alright with me. However there is / was an exception to the rule. His name was Richard Rufus.

He was one of our own, he grew up with us and was for 10 years the heartbeat of our team. If Rufus didn't play, it used to fill Charlton fans with dread. He was so important to the team. His positional play, his pace, his man-marking, his consistency, his organisational skills, his tackling and in particular the timing of his tackling and his heading was superb. One tribute mentioned that he was the complete defender, at least what used to be described as the complete defender. He was no Alan Hansen admittedly, but to me he was what Charlton was all about and how he never got a single cap I will never know.

The news of Richard's retirement is so, so sad, particularly as we lost Super Clive to a career finishing injury as well. I don't think I have ever celebrated a goal like his first ever one at Wembley. How different we all feel now.

We will never forget. "Rufus, Rufus."




  ¶ 18:15