Charlie Wilkinson (footballer)
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Charles Edward Wilkinson | ||
| Date of birth | 7 May 1907 | ||
| Place of birth | Medomsley, England | ||
| Date of death | October qtr. 1975 (aged 68) | ||
| Place of death | Medomsley, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Full back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Wallsend | |||
| Consett | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1928–1933 | Leeds United | 3 | (0) |
| 1933–1938 | Sheffield United | 120 | (0) |
| 1938–1939 | Southampton | 3 | (0) |
| 1939 | Bournemouth | 1 | (0) |
| Total | 127 | (0) | |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Charles Edward Wilkinson (7 May 1907 – 1975) was an English professional footballer who played as a full back for Leeds United, Sheffield United and Southampton in the 1930s. He was a member of Sheffield United's FA Cup team that reached the final in 1936, where they were defeated by Arsenal.
Wilkinson was born in Medomsley, near Consett in County Durham.[1] After playing his early football for local sides, Wallsend and Consett,[1] he joined Leeds United of the Football League First Division in September 1928.[2]
Although he remained with the Elland Road club for five years, he only made three first-team appearances[3] before he moved to fellow First Division club Sheffield United in October 1933, for a fee of £2,000.[4] A bout of influenza caused Wilkinson to miss much of his first season[4][5] with the Blades, who were relegated to the Second Division. On his recovery, he soon became a regular player at left back, staying with the Bramall Lane club for five years, making 133 first-team appearances.[6]
In 1936, Wilkinson helped Sheffield United reach the FA Cup semi-finals, where they met fellow Second Division side Fulham. Wilkinson was injured and unavailable to play in the semi-final, with Albert Cox taking his place as Fulham were defeated 2–1.[7] Wilkinson recovered from his injury in time for the final and manager, Teddy Davison, "opted for (Wilkinson's) age and experience" over Cox.[7] The final, against Arsenal of the First Division, was a fairly even contest which "produced few quality moments" and was won by the only goal of the match from Ted Drake.[8]
In the summer of 1938, Wilkinson left Sheffield to join fellow Second Division club Southampton. He played the first two matches of the 1938–39 season, both 2–1 defeats, but sustained a serious leg injury in the second match at Burnley.[2] The injury required the removal of a cartilage and by the time he had recovered, new signing Tom Emanuel had become established at left back.[2] Wilkinson only managed one further appearance[9] before he left at the end of the season to join Bournemouth as player-coach.[2]