I was sorry to hear of the death of Ray Treacy at the age of 68 following a short illness. He played for Charlton from 1967/8 until 1972 when he was transferred to Swindon Town.
He grew up in Dublin playing Gaelic football and hurling and then joined the Home Farm club. He came to Charlton from West Bromwich Albion.
He played 158 times for Charlton, plus six times as a substitute. He scored a total of 53 goals. He received 43 caps playing for Ireland, 14 while at Charlton. He overcame his height of 5ft. 9 ins. to pose an aerial threat. He formed an excellent strike partnership with Matt Tees.
When he returned to Ireland at the end of his Football League career, he ran a travel agency and even had a single in the Irish pop charts. He also managed Shamrock Rovers.
Tributes have been pouring in to a man described as a 'true servant of the beautiful game': Ray Treacy
One Addick commented, 'I remember him as a short-ish, chunky centre-forward who had the power to barge his way past bigger opponents. I see Tony Watt as being in the same mould - does that seem right to those who have a better memory?
Another Addick said, 'Strange awkward way of running but poached goals for us. I recall him scoring at Craven Cottage on a mud bath of a pitch. I think it was the only goal of the game.'
