John Charles (English footballer)


John W. Charles was an English professional footballer. He spent his entire professional career at Blackpool in the early 1900s, making over 200 Football League appearances for the club. He played as a midfielder.

Blackpool

-born Charles made his debut for Blackpool in the opening game of the 1912–13 season — a 1–1 draw at Grimsby Town. He went on to be ever-present in the club's 38 league games and two FA Cup ties against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. He scored four goals in the league and both of the club's two goals in the FA Cup.
The following season, 1913–14, Charles made 31 league appearances and scored seven goals.
In 1914–15, he made 35 league appearances and scored six goals, five of which came in the final seven games of the campaign.
Four seasons of inter–war football ensued, after which, in 1919–20, Blackpool had appointed their first full-time manager in Bill Norman. Charles found himself alternating between the right and left flanks as he made 27 league appearances and scored four goals.
Frank Buckley was installed as manager for the 1923–24 campaign, and he selected Charles on only six occasions in the league. He managed to score one goal, however, in a 1–1 draw at home to Stoke City on 15 September. His 241st and final appearance for the club occurred in their FA Cup second-round tie at Southampton on 2 February. The Seasiders lost 3–1.