Alf Charles
Encyclopedia
Alfred Pious Charles was a Trinidadian
footballer
who made one appearance (as an inside forward
) in the Football League Second Division
with Southampton
in 1937. He was one of the earliest black players in English professional football and the first black player to sign for Southampton.
with the 1933 West Indies cricket team as valet
to the star player Learie Constantine
. Although he never played on the tour, he subsequently turned out for Nelson
in the Lancashire League in 1935 and 1936. He made one appearance for a West Indies XI against an England XI in June 1944 and after the war he played for Lowerhouse
in the Lancashire League.
, but failed to break through into their first team. He then dropped out of the Football League
, joining first Nelson
in 1934 and then Darwen
the following year before settling at Stalybridge Celtic
where he established an impressive goal scoring record. This soon attracted him to a number of Football League clubs but manager George Goss
persuaded him to move to the south coast to join Southampton
.
He arrived at The Dell in January 1937 with a reputation as a "clever inside forward either on the left or right." He made his solitary appearance in the Football League in a 2–2 draw at Bradford City
on 9 January 1937 replacing Billy Boyd
. He also played in five reserve games, in which he scored two goals. He returned to Stalybridge in January 1938 for a fee of £350.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who made one appearance (as an inside forward
Inside forward
In football, the position of inside forward was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries. The inside forwards would support the centre forwards, running and making space in the opposition defence, and, as the passing game developed, supporting him with passes...
) in the Football League Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
with Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in 1937. He was one of the earliest black players in English professional football and the first black player to sign for Southampton.
Cricket career
He was born in Trinidad and first came to EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
with the 1933 West Indies cricket team as valet
Valet
Valet and varlet are terms for male servants who serve as personal attendants to their employer.- Word origins :In the Middle Ages, the valet de chambre to a ruler was a prestigious appointment for young men...
to the star player Learie Constantine
Learie Constantine
Learie Nicholas Constantine, Baron Constantine MBE was a West Indian cricketer who played 18 Test matches before the Second World War. He took West Indies' first wicket in Test cricket and was the team's leading all-rounder and opening bowler for the entirety of his career...
. Although he never played on the tour, he subsequently turned out for Nelson
Nelson Cricket Club
Nelson Cricket Club, based at Seedhill in Nelson, Lancashire, are a cricket club in the Lancashire League. They play at the Seedhill ground in Nelson. Their captain for the 2011 season is Thomas Lord and their professional is New Zealand international player Luke Woodcock.Nelson Cricket Club was...
in the Lancashire League in 1935 and 1936. He made one appearance for a West Indies XI against an England XI in June 1944 and after the war he played for Lowerhouse
Lowerhouse Cricket Club
Lowerhouse Cricket Club is a cricket club in the Lancashire League, which plays its home games at Liverpool Road in Burnley. For the 2011 season its captain is Charlie Cottam, and its professional is South African Francois Hasbroek. The club won the league for the first time in 2005, captained by...
in the Lancashire League.
Football career
He stayed on in England after the 1933 cricket tour was over and secured a contract with BurnleyBurnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
, but failed to break through into their first team. He then dropped out of the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, joining first Nelson
Nelson F.C.
Nelson F.C. are an English football club, based in Nelson, Lancashire. They are currently members of the North West Counties Football League Division One, who played their home matches at Victoria Park, Lomeshaye Way. They are full members of the Lancashire County Football Association.-Early years:...
in 1934 and then Darwen
Darwen F.C.
A.F.C. Darwen is a football club from Darwen in Lancashire, North West England. The team, formed in 1870 as Darwen F.C., currently play in the Division One of the North West Counties League. They play their home games at the Anchor Ground.-History:...
the following year before settling at Stalybridge Celtic
Stalybridge Celtic F.C.
Stalybridge Celtic are an English full time professional football club from Stalybridge, Greater Manchester in North West England. The club, which plays its home matches at Bower Fold, is currently in the Conference North in the sixth tier of the English football league system...
where he established an impressive goal scoring record. This soon attracted him to a number of Football League clubs but manager George Goss
George Goss
George Goss is a former naval officer and football manager, who was manager of Southampton F.C. for the 1936-37 season.Goss served in the Royal Navy during World War I, and played football for the naval side. On leaving the navy, he joined the staff of Southampton F.C...
persuaded him to move to the south coast to join Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
.
He arrived at The Dell in January 1937 with a reputation as a "clever inside forward either on the left or right." He made his solitary appearance in the Football League in a 2–2 draw at Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
on 9 January 1937 replacing Billy Boyd
Billy Boyd (footballer)
William Gillespie "Billy" Boyd was a Scottish professional footballer, whose regular position was at centre-forward...
. He also played in five reserve games, in which he scored two goals. He returned to Stalybridge in January 1938 for a fee of £350.