Charlie Roberts

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Charlie Roberts (born April 6, 1883 in Darlington, died August 7, 1939 in Manchester) was an English football player.

Charlie started his career with Bishop Auckland, but soon moved to Grimsby Town.

In 1904, he was transferred to Manchester United for £400. The United manager at the time was J. Ernest Mangnall who had embarked on a spending spree which had seen Manchester City players Billy Meredith and Sandy Turnbull arrive at Clayton, United's ground of the day. Roberts arrival at United was extremely important to the development of the club; a strong, skilful, fast centre-back and a rebel to boot. He would flout FA rules by wearing his shorts above the knee and was politically minded in favour of the unionisation of professional footballers.

[edit] Players Union

On December 2, 1907, Roberts, along with Meredith was instrumental in setting up the Players' Union. This organisation was not recognised by the FA but did attract considerable support from fellow League clubs; the support from League professionals was unanimous at the beginning of the movement. In August 1909, the FA suspended the Manchester United players for their failure to renounce their Union membership. This tactic had seen the membership of the Union fall so that the only members were the Manchester United players - hence called 'The Outcasts'. It was only after Tim Coleman of Everton, renewed his support by siding with the Outcasts and that Robert's Union was saved.

[edit] Playing career

Playing as half-back or centre-half he helped Manchester United win the 1908 and 1911 league titles as well as the 1909 FA Cup. He left the club in August 1913 for a then record fee of £1,500 to Oldham Athletic, who he also went on to manage, after appearing in 299 matches and scoring 23 goals for United.

Charlie was capped three times for England and was Manchester United's first England international.

He died at Manchester Royal Infirmary following a cranial operation after suffering extended 'dizzy spells'.

[edit] Honours

Manchester United

FA Cup winner: 1909
Distinguished Court Support Award

v • d • e

Oldham Athletic A.F.C. – Managers

Ashworth (1906–14) • Bamlett (1914–21) • Roberts (1921–22) • Ashworth (1923–24) • Mellor (1924–27) • Wilson (1927–32) • McMullan (1933–34) • Mellor (1934–45) • Womack (1945–47) • Wootton (1947–50) • Hardwick (1950–56) • Goodier (1956–58) • Dodgin (1958–60) • Rowley (1960–63) • McDowall (1963–65) • Hurst (1965–66) • McIlroy (1966–68) • Rowley (1968–69) • Frizzell (1970–82) • Royle (1982–94) • Sharp (1994–97) • Warnock (1997–98) • Ritchie (1998–2001) • Sheridan (2001) • Urmson (2001) • Wadsworth (2001–02) • Dowie (2002–03) • Eyres (2003–04) • Sheridan (2003–04) • Talbot (2004–05) • Philliskirk (2005) • Moore (2005–06) • Sheridan (2006–)