Memories Of Johnny Byrne

Harvey Paterson wrote:

I first saw Johnny Byrne in the 1959-1960 season playing for Crystal Palace. Over the next couple of season's his skill and scoring ability fuelled my passion for football.
Playing in the 4th Division, he was head and shoulders better than most of his opponents. He seemed to score at will, and he produced the best from players around him.
At home matches goals were plentiful and it was great to see attacking football with an end product.
Sadly he went to West Ham, were I followed his career in the papers--Match of the day only started in 1964---
For 3 or 4 seasons he was a top footballer and then it all was over, and he became a shadow of his former self.
He came back to Palace years after his retirement and came on the pitch to wave to the crowd. The slim, wiry quicksilver of a young man, was replaced by a short portly old man. It was sad to hear of his death not so long afterwards.
Memories of thoses times with Palace in the late fifties and early sixties keep this boyhood hero of me still alive. He was a superb player.

David Smith wrote:

An absolute terroriser of defences exciting to watch and a deadly assasin in the 6 yard box.
Comparable to Jimmy Greaves any day the two together on the same team sheet frightened the life out of anyone opposing them....Brilliant player.
Wish I could have seen him play more..

Mike Clark wrote:

I started watching Palace in the late fifies and Johnny soon became the star of the show. I remember amazing games at Selhust with crowds of well over 40000 for the big games.
When he was transferred to the Hammers I started going to Upton Park getting crushed in their smallish ground but it was well worth it watching all those East End lads who would eventually win us the World Cup.
It's sad to realise that Johnny & Bobby are gone but what lives they lived!

Sid Canham wrote:

I remember "Budgie" very well. I also came out of the forces after playing for the RAF 2nd Taf team in Germany and was signed by Cyril Spears, manager of Crystal Palace, in 1957.
I also played on the left wing and played my first game against Fulham reserves at Craven Cottage, who was marking me, none other than George Cohen!!! Unfortunately there was this cheeky little chappy who was also playing on the left wing at the time, of course it was "Budgie" and he kept on getting the spot ahead of me.
We got on very well together although he always seemed to beat myself and every other player onto the snooker table after training. No-one ever really found out how he managed it all the time.
He certainly was a great character and was always the life and soul on the team bus, always in the middle of the card schools on away games.
I was very sorry to read a few years ago that he had passed away in South Africa. His was a short life, but I believe he had a very enjoyable one living it to the full and the way that he would have wanted to.

Tony wrote:

When most West Ham supporters raved over the World Cup trio, my favourite was Budgie.
I am sure that anyone that was at the evening match when the Hammers demolished the great Leeds side 7-0, and Budgie completely ran the game, would agree.
Yes he had his faults but when he was hot he was one of the best.

MICHAEL TWIGG wrote:

SAW HIM PLAY WHEN I WAS A TODDLER, HE SCORED A 6 SECOND GOAL FOR PALACE. IS HE STILL ALIVE?