Goalkeeper Sam Bartram spent his entire career defending Charlton Athletic. His importance to the club rendered him a statue at The Valley, launched in 2005, the year of Charlton’s centenary.
Bartram died in 1981, but his achievements rendered him a very special spot in the club’s museum. He still holds the record of appearances with 623 matches from the 30’s to the 50’s. In 1947, he helped the team to win the FA Cup.
On Christmas Day in 1937, in a very iconic episode, Charlton played Chelsea in Stamford Bridge. The fog made the referee end the match early, but he was left out on the pitch to defend against a departed opponent.
Check the story told by the reporter Olga Bagatini for Sports Gazette.