Iconic Brighton and Hove Albion figure remembered in new book

The first book on Brighton and Hove Albion’s iconic player and manager Charlie Webb has been launched.
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Webb’s granddaughter Ann Spike performed the ceremony at the Amex Stadium, Falmer.

Author Phil Dennett, 71, of Burgess Hill has captured Webb’s 39 years of service in his newly released book “Mr Albion, The Life of Charlie Webb.”

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Ann, of Ridgewood, near Uckfield, said: “What a tribute to my grandfather this book is. Phil’s detective work has unearthed so much from grandad’s early family life of which I wasn’t previously aware - a fascinating read.

Phil Dennett with Charlie’s granddaughter Ann Spike at the Amex launchPhil Dennett with Charlie’s granddaughter Ann Spike at the Amex launch
Phil Dennett with Charlie’s granddaughter Ann Spike at the Amex launch

"To me Charlie Webb was my granddad, the quiet, modest, affectionate man who taught me how to high jump …. to others he was Mr Albion.”

The book contains 50 pictures, many of them never before made public, and reveals details of Charlie’s family life as well as his football triumphs.

“Mr Albion” is available at £15 from the Brighton and Hove Albion store, City Books, Hove, through bookshops quoting ISBN number 978-0-9513590-8-2 and on [email protected].

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Ireland-born Webb scored a record number of Southern League goals for the club before World War 1 and then managed the team from 1919 to 1947 before concentrating on administration until retirement in 1948.

Part of the front cover of the bookPart of the front cover of the book
Part of the front cover of the book

He won only a minor war-time league as manager, but earned huge respect from the wider football world for keeping Albion alive in some of the most perilous periods of its existence in the 1920s,30s, and wartime 40s.

His sides also won admiration for many thrilling FA Cup wins over First Division sides in the old Football League.

Phil, a retired former news editor of the Mid Sussex Times, thought of writing “Mr Albion” while researching his 2021 book on the life of Cuckfield-born Albion goal ace Tommy Cook, still the club’s leading peacetime goalscorer, more than 90 years after setting the record.

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He said: “The careers of the two were entwined. Both were record goalscorers, and Cook was Charlie’s best signing. And of course Cook took over from Charlie in 1947 as team manager, when Charlie briefly became general manager in the office.

“I was surprised to learn no-one had attempted to write a book on Charlie, who well earned the title Mr Albion for long and loyal service. I hope the book does him credit because his period of service as player and team manager was one of the longest in football history at one club.”

Charlie died in 1973, and later a plaque was placed at his house in Frith Road, Hove to commemorate his long service to Albion. He also had an outstanding scoring record for Worthing FC. While playing for them before joining Albion, he helped them twice win a treble of West Sussex League, Sussex Senior Cup and Royal Irish Rifles Cup, in 1904 and 1908, when Worthing were one of the most powerful sides in Sussex.