Charlton legends Keith Peacock and Colin Powell have paid tribute to former Addicks player and Manager, Mike Bailey, who has sadly passed away at the age of 84.
Peacock played alongside Bailey for four seasons during his time at The Valley, while Powell was managed by the England international during his last season as a Charlton player as they celebrated promotion in 1980/81.
Speaking about his fellow teammate, Peacock led the tributes, saying: “It’s very sad news. Mike Bailey is one of the very great players that Charlton have had and I was lucky enough to play alongside him for a few seasons.
“He gained international recognition for England while playing for us in the Second Division which speaks volumes and if it wasn’t for injuries, breaking his leg, I’m sure he would have had more that the two caps that he earned.”
“Mike was a brilliant midfield player", continued Peacock.
“He could score the odd goal, but he was a real powerful player who could tackle. No matter how big and strong the opposition were, he would always throw in proper tackles. He was barrel-shaped and only about 5ft 7in, but he was so terrifically powerful, you wouldn’t want to go into a 50/50 tackle with him! He was probably the best tackler I have ever seen.
“The first game I played at The Valley, I scored and we won, and Mike was the first player to come over to me and put his arm around me - I’ll never forget it.
“And perhaps, most importantly, as well as being a terrific player, he was a lovely, lovely man. He will be a great miss.”
Powell, meanwhile, remembers the faith his former boss had in him, starting him in every single game of the 1980/81 campaign as the Addicks made an immediate return back to the Second Division.
“Mike managed me during my last season playing for Charlton and I’ve always been so grateful for the trust he showed in me,” explained Powell.
“I hadn’t been playing under the previous manager and was told I may as well go and play in non-League as my ‘legs had gone.’
“But when Mike took over, he had so much faith in me and played me in every single game that season - I played all 56 league and cup games and we won promotion.
“He was an excellent manager. His man-management was spot-on and it made such a difference. He was passionate, a really good man, and the lads loved him.
“For some of the away games, like Grimsby, the evening before he’d take us to the pub and have a quick drink - he trusted you.
“When he was manager, we had five-a-sides in training and he would be first pick! He still had it even then.”
“Mike was a straight and honest man,” he added.
“He had his principles and, as a player, that’s the best thing you can ask of a manager.
When you won, you could see how proud he was. He would have his chest out and he was so proud of us, and that’s something that means a lot to players.”
