A Hit Or A Flop

[Reds73]

Charles - Hit. He was a class act.

Massive hit 
listen to Sean Dyche on the Resevoir Red Dogs podcast - says Charles was best young player he ever saw.

i remember Pearcey saying he was closest English defender to a Brazilian 

he was silky

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

I don't think us as fans at the time could see it but looking back now Charles was ahead of his time. If he was playhing today he would be briiliant and I dare say an England regular.

[zicorice]

I don't think us as fans at the time could see it but looking back now Charles was ahead of his time. If he was playhing today he would be briiliant and I dare say an England regular.

Maybe so, but he never fulfilled his potential. Interestingly though, on the games I have been re-watching over last 6 weeks, when he has been playing he has given the ball away a bit too much (West Ham Semi, ZDS Cup final) and been defensively dodgy at times (For sheep in 94), but has also had moments of brilliance.eg. Goal v West Ham in same semi. 

Did he ever win our player of season  or young player? Honestly cant remember.  80 odd games, 2 goals, sold for 750k. I suspect the powers that be knew he wouldn't fulfil his huge potential. Bit of a poor mans Trent AA in todays terms. Harsh maybe, but I hate to see wasted talent. Played for England in NZ with a Virtual B squad, so those 2 caps are a bit mis-leading.

[Heanor Red]

Always thought Charles was a good player but too lightweight. Suffered when compared to Viv & Laws who preceded him at RB. Came through the youth team cost us nowt sold for 750k to the sheepshaggers where he promptly scored an og to assist our promotion push. Gotta be hit for that alone!

[zicorice]

Darren Ward:
Cost nothing, left for nothing so wages only. First teamer throughout I think, so on the face of it a hit.

However:Was he worth the wages? Back up was Barry Roche so not much competition and was woeful on crosses. Never seemed to save one on ones either. Quite a few got past him that shouldn't at that level and he was relatively short for a keeper. He was however quite good at distributing the ball in Paul Harts best side.

I'm going to say miss. A better keeper and we could well have gone up I always felt.

[King Joe]

To be honest had totally forgot about him,
so going on that he has got to be a miss.

[ThePromisedLand]

Can’t say I remember an awful lot of him.
Not sure - given his position - that that’s a bad thing?
A tough one.
Benefit of doubt = hit.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

I was never convinced by him.

Miss.

[Alf Garnett]

Catching up.

Gary Charles - Hit

Darren Ward - Miss.

[zicorice]

John Sheridan.
Had a top career, was signed for 650k after we sold Webby. I remember pundits (Jimmy Greaves especially) saying he would improve us as he was better at the physical side than Webb, but still a top player.
Played 1 game in League cup, one great pass which won us the game. Never seen again, sold to Sheff Weds for roughly same as we paid, went on to have a really good career. Bizarre.
Hit as a player generally.
Flop for us.

[Jasper Scarrott]

I remember being excited when we signed him.

Something must have kicked off with him and Cloughie. There was no doubting his talent.

Flop, but I can't help thinking what might have been.

[GP9]

I remember being excited when we signed him.

Something must have kicked off with him and Cloughie. There was no doubting his talent.

Flop, but I can't help thinking what might have been.

Me too. Thought he was just what we needed. Remember the crowd singing "Oh Johnny Johnny" for most of the match in his one appearance, but clearly it didn't work with BC. Remember rumours at the time that he had taken loads of the youth teamers out on the piss, but don't know whether this was the reason we got rid so quickly.