Chris could be carl, says bob

By admin on November 22, 2007 12:00 AM |

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CHRIS IWELUMO has what it takes to be a legend at The Valley, just like another big Charlton forward: Carl Leaburn.
While that comment will no doubt divide fans, whose thoughts on Leaburn were certainly mixed, it's the view of another favourite from the past, Bob Bolder.
The former Charlton goalkeeper is a regular at the ground on matchdays, working in corporate hospitality and he sees some of his former teammate Leaburn in the new striker.

And while Bolder spent most of his Charlton seasons at the then home of Selhurst Park staving off relegation alongside Leaburn, he believes Iwelumo, this year's leading scorer, has what it takes to get the club promoted.
"Big Chris has a great chance of becoming a hero at The Valley," said Bolder. "I see a lot of Carl Leaburn in him but while Carl was magnificent in the air, Chris has got a better touch on the ground.
"If Chris keeps getting the goals he could become a legend over the next few years, especially this one if he gets the team promoted."
There is a huge difference between the club today, sitting third in the Championship, to the one in Bolder's time where he kept goal from 1986 to 1993.
Homeless and usually penniless, Charlton under the management of Lennie Lawrence had four seasons battling to stay up. They were interesting times, where late escapes included a nail-biting play-off final win against Leeds United, a last-day draw against Chelsea the following year and two wins in the last week of the season thanks to Bolder saving a penalty from Wimbledon's Dennis Wise.
"When we were playing we all played for each other," said Bolder. "And we had the belief of the fans.
"We had nowhere to go. People at Crystal Palace and West Ham were brilliant and helped us to stabilise, but in the end it was the fans getting
The Valley Party going and running in local elections that got us back home and to where we are today."
After Bolder retired from playing, he became involved in Charlton's acclaimed community team, helping youngsters across the south-east.
Working from an office in Ramsgate, Bolder now spends much of his time coaching and visiting schools as well as helping out in community schemes for the disabled or those suffering social exclusion.
It has also seen the former goalkeeper head further afield than Kent to spread the Charlton goodwill message.
"We went over to South Africa in March to deliver football coaching to kids in townships and help in educational programmes," he said. "We went there with the Metropolitan Police to basically try to get kids on the right track.
"It was a huge eye-opening experience and the youngsters were very responsive."
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