Centenary Back.

Alex Macfarlane

The former Chelsea and Scotland inside-right quit Dundee to become Charlton's boss, before returning to the same club three years later.

But just six months later Sandy was again heading back to the Valley, and not until December 1932 did he leave for good.

The old truism is that you should never go back.

But former Newcastle United, Chelsea and Scotland inside-right Sandy Macfarlane made a habit out it, spending two spells with both Dundee and the Addicks during his managerial career.

He had been boss at the Scottish club for six years when he accepted the chance of taking over at Charlton in 1925.

But the lack of money to bring in new players meant a tough first season for the new boss, and the club had to seek their only ever re-election to the Football League after finishing next to bottom of the table.

The following season saw a slight improvement, but the crowd refused to take to some of the manager's Scottish recruits and John Cairns and Harry Kirk were both quickly sold due to the vocal barracking they received from the terraces.

Some were more successful, such as Alex Hird and goalscorer Wilson Lennox, and Charlton began the 1927/28 season with an unbeaten run of 12 games.

But Macfarlane was soon on his way, and accepted an offer to return to Dundee at the start of 1928.

He took striker Fred Whitlow with him, but the two returned to The Valley in the summer and helped Charlton to their first league success when the Third Division (South) championship was achieved in 1928/29.

With the club's average crowd topping 10,000 for the first time, Macfarlane kept the Addicks in the Second Division for the next four seasons, despite having little money to spend on players because of the club's crippling debts.

He was asked to resign in December 1932, with the Addicks looking destined for relegation, having agreed a pay-off of £1000.

The Scot spent the next two seasons as manager of Blackpool, almost taking the Seasiders into the old First Division.

Alex Macfarlane

The former Chelsea and Scotland inside-right quit Dundee to become Charlton's boss, before returning to the same club three years later. But just six months later Sandy was again heading back to the Valley, and not until December 1932 did he leave for good.

The former Chelsea and Scotland inside-right quit Dundee to become Charlton's boss, before returning to the same club three years later.

But just six months later Sandy was again heading back to the Valley, and not until December 1932 did he leave for good.