Duffy Chris Image 1 Charlton Athletic 1946

Description

Methil, Fife born left winger Chris Duffy began his career with Scottish League club Leith Athletic in 1936 and played for Leith in the seasons before the outbreak of the Second World War, during which he served in the Armed Forces, continuing to represent them in wartime football. Duffy first came to First Division Charlton Athletic as a wartime guest player, when he played as Charlton beat Chelsea in the 1944 Southern Football League War Cup Final.

A modest fee of £330 persuaded his home club, Leith Athletic to relinquish his services when he was demobilised in September 1945, and he made his senior debut in English football in an FA Cup tie against Fulham in January 1946, scoring in a 3-1 victory that started Charlton’s path to the 1946 FA Cup Final in the first post-war tournament, his 10 goals in as many Cup ties including a hat-trick against Preston North End in the Fifth Round in February 1946. However in the Final they were beaten 4-1 at Wembley in extra time by Derby County.

In the first post-war League season Duffy made his Football League debut at Stoke City in August 1946, scoring in a 2-2 draw. Once again Charlton embarked on a monumental Cup run which ended with Duffy’s 114th minute left footed strike proved the only goal for Charlton Athletic in extra time in the 1947 FA Cup Final, in a 1-0 win against Burnley at Wembley. Duffy was the club’s top scorer with 15 goals that season but was less prolific in following seasons, and in total he played until 1952-53, making his last appearance of 183 for The Addicks against West Bromwich Albion in October 1952, having scored 48 goals for the club over eight seasons, all of which were in the top flight.