Charlton Athletic are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player and promotion-winning Manager Mike Bailey at the age of 84.
Born in Cambridgeshire, midfielder Bailey arrived at The Valley from non-League Gorleston as a teenager in 1958 and made his senior Addicks debut in a dramatic 6-4 defeat at Plymouth Argyle in December 1960.
He spent eight years in total in SE7, plying his trade in the Second Division as he became a firm fans’ favourite, captaining the club on his way to 169 appearances in all competitions, scoring 22 goals.
While playing for Charlton, Bailey’s eye-catching performances earned him international recognition, gaining five England U23 caps before he became the seventh Addick to win full honours for the Three Lions when he made his bow for the senior team in a stunning 10-0 victory over USA at Downing Stadium in New York City in May 1964.
Bailey was an unused squad member for subsequent clashes with Brazil, Argentina and Portugal, before winning honours for a second and final time in a 2-1 success over Wales at Wembley in November 1964.
His time as a Charlton player came to an end in March 1966 when he joined fellow second-tier outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he would win promotion to the First Division in his first full season in the Black Country, before cementing himself as a true Wolves legend with 25 goals in 436 appearances over an 11-year period, winning the League Cup and reaching the final of the UEFA Cup in the process.
In 1977, Bailey moved to the USA with Minnesota Kicks where he remained for a year, before returning to England with Hereford United as Player/Manager in 1978.
He then made his triumphant return to The Valley in October 1979, first as Chief Coach under then-boss Andy Nelson, before taking the managerial reins in March 1980. With the Addicks finding themselves in the Third Division following relegation come the end of the 1979/80 season, Bailey led the club back to the Second Division at the first time of asking, sealing third place and promotion back to the second tier with a final-day victory at Carlisle United.
A spell as Brighton & Hove Albion boss followed in 1981/82, leading them to a mid-table finish in the First Division, before moving abroad with Greek club OFI Crete in 1984.
Later spells as Reserve Team Coach at Portsmouth and as boss at Leatherhead followed before his retirement from the management game in 1996.
Amongst the finest players to have represented Charlton, his legacy will also be cemented as just one of nine managers to have led the Addicks’ men’s team to promotion in the club’s history.
Everyone at the club would like to extend their condolences to Mike’s family and friends at this difficult time.