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Charlie
Athersmith |
Aston Villa FC
12 appearances, 3 goals
P 12 W 9 D 1 L 2 F 43:
A 13
79% successful
1892-1900
captain: none
minutes played: 1080 |
|
 |
|
Timeline |
| |
William
Charles Athersmith Harper |
|
Birth |
Friday, 10 May
1872 in Bloxwich, Walsall, Staffordshire |
|
|
registered as William Charles Athersmith Harper in Walsall April-June 1872 |
|
Baptism |
Saturday, 8 June
1872 in Bloxwich |
|
Family History Notes |
Athersmith is
absolutely certainly a Harper. In early reports, he is known for being a
cousin of Vic Wright. The Family Tree reveals that a first cousin of
William Harper is Vic Wright, born in Bloxwich, 1909. The
only mystery then, is why, and how, did William Harper become Charlie
Athersmith. |
|
|
(Charles' father died on
30 March 1873. His mother remarried in July 1874).
According to the 1881 census,
W C A Harper, the only child to Isaac and Mary Jane (née Wootton), is living with his
mother and his step-father, Charles Perry. These in turn,
live with the Wootton's at a public house at 6A, 7 & 8 The Green in
Walsall. Charles and Mary Jane with three children of their own, William's
half-siblings. Charles is a stirrup flier. |
|
|
According to the 1891 census,
Charles Athersmith is an office clerk lodging at 30 Cattell Road, Aston,
with the Baggott's, his future in-laws. |
|
Marriage |
to
Elizabeth Baggott, Sunday, 1 January 1893 at St. Saviour Church in
Saltley, Birmingham, occupation registered as clerk.
Elizabeth was a British subject born in Cincinatti, United States. |
|
|
registered in Aston January-March 1893 |
|
Children |
Charlie and Elizabeth Athersmith have one daughter together, Eveline Marie
(b.9 November 1895). |
,%20Charlie.JPG) "TRANSFER
OF LICENSES |
According to the 1901 census,
Athersmith, along with seven other footballers, is visiting Blackpool, for
they are staying at the Station Hotel on Talbot Road.
His family home
was at 37 Carlton Road in Aston, where his wife, Elizabeth and daughter,
Eveline Marie, and one servant were living.
The advert (left)
comes from the Walsall Observer, from July and August 1901.
His mother
married again, this time to James Hancocks in Cannock, April 1907. |
|
...TRANSFER
DAY. The
Bench granted transfers of
licenses as under: —Red Lion, Bloxwich, from William Booker to William Charles Athersmith
(the Aston Villa international footballer);"; - The Walsall Advertiser, Saturday,
13 July 1901.
"BACKING
HORSES OR
BREAKING
WINDOWS?—.On
Monday, at the Walsall Police Court, George Ball (79), Green Lane,
Bloxwich, was summoned for refusing to quit the Red Lion, and also for
breaking the window, doing damage to the extent of £2 10s. William Charles
Athersmith, landlord of the Red Lion, had one of his window's broken by
defendant's brother, and it seemed that whilst he was chasing the brother,
the defendant broke another window.—The Chief
Constable (Mr Thomson) said that no doubt the magistrates would remember
that defendant's brother was chased and caught by Athersmith, and sent to
gaol for two months.—Defendant said he went into the house to back a
horse.—Mr Moseley (a magistrate) wanted to know, at this point, if it was
a custom, at Bloxwich, to back horses in public houses, and the defendant
replied that he could always back a horse with a person at this house.
Proceeding, he admitted breaking the window, but told the magistrate that
the landlord first pitched him into the street.—Fined 40s and costs, also
ordered to pay 30s damages, or two months' hard labour." -
The Walsall Advertiser, Saturday, 19 September 1903.
"TRANSFER
DAY. The
magistrates granted the following applications for transfers of
licenses:—Red Lion, Bloxwich, from Wm Chas Athersmith to W, Henry Bratt." -
The Walsall Advertiser, Saturday, 30 July 1904.
"Charlie
Athersmith, the well-known Aston Villa international footballer, who is
landlord of the Vine Inn, Bloxwich, Walsall, was fined yesterday for
supplying a girl with beer in bottles which were unsealed." - Dundee
Courier, 19 May 1905.
"WEDNESDAY.—WELL-KNOWN
EX-FOOTBALL
PLAYER'S
APPLICATION.—Mr.
G. W. Hobson applied for a temporary transfer of the license of the Royal
George beerhouse, Evesham Street, Redditch, from Mr. Salisbury to Mr. William Charles Athersmith,
of Grimsby, Mr. Hobson remarked Mr. Athersmith was formerly well known in
the football field, having played for Aston Villa, and had a national
reputation. Since he gave up playing football he kept a public house at
Bloxwich, and had lately been living at Grimsby, where he acted as trainer
for the Grimsby Town club—Satisfactory
testimonials as to character were given, and the Bench granted the
application." - The Alcester
Chronicle, Saturday, 20 October 1909.
"'Charlie'
Athersmith, the old Aston Villa forward, is lying seriously ill at his
mother's house in Oakengates, near Wellington. For some time he managed
the Grimsby Town Football Club, and recently he had charge of a
public-house in Evesham-street, Redditch." - Hull
Daily Mail/Aberdeen Express, Monday, 13 September 1910 |
|
Death |
Sunday
afternoon, 18 September
1910 at Victoria Villas, Station
Hill, Oakengates, Shifnal, Shropshire.
Address stated
as The Royal George, Evesham Street in Redditch. |
|
aged 38 years 131 days |
registered in Shifnal July-September 1910 |
|
Obituary |
,%20Charlie.jpg) |
"DEATH OF
CHARLES ATHERSMITH—FAMOUS VILLA FOOTBALL PLAYER AND
ATHLETE
"The
death of Charles Athersmith, the once famous Aston Villa right-winger and
athlete, occurred at the residence of his mother (Mrs. Hancocks) at
Oakengates, Shropshire, shortly after noon on Sunday. Athersmith, who was
about 40 years of age, leaves a widow and one child. In his day he was
the fastest football player in the country, and won many prizes on the
running track. He took part in twelve international football matches
(Scotland 1897-98-99-1900, Wales 1897-98-99-1900, Ireland 1892, 97-98-99),
and was at one time one of the 'stars' of the Aston Villa team.
Athersmith's illness is thought to have had its origin in a severe strain
or a kick in the stomach when playing football.
"During the earlier
part of his career Athersmith was a member of the Unity Gas combination, a
junior club in the Saltley district, which carried off some few honours in
six-a-side contests, a particular phase of football in which he was adept.
When first joining Aston Villa there was some little uncertainty as to how
far his amateur status on the running path would be affected, but this was
quickly decided when he boldly embraced professionalism. In running
matches he met with several notable successes, and at distances varying
from 100 yards to a quarter of a mile he was without a doubt the fastest
man of his day. The part he played in many famous games for Aston Villa
could not easily be exaggerated. For several seasons, the Athersmith-Devey
right wing of Aston Villa was famed in every football centre, the perfect
understanding and combination of the pair proving of inestimable value to
the team. His decease will be generally regretted by the older school of
players from one end of the country to the other"
-
The Derby Daily Telegraph/gloucester Citizen, Monday,
19 September 1910. |
Funeral
Thursday, 22 September 1910
Bloxwich Cemetery |
|
"The funeral took place at Bloxwich Cemetery,
near Walsall, yesterday of the late Charles Athersmith, the old Aston
Villa forward. Representatives were present from the Aston Villa and
Birmingham clubs, the bearers being several old players of the Bloxwich
Wanderers, the cub with which deceased commenced his career."
- The Nottingham Daily Express,
Friday, 23 September 1910 |
|
Probate |
"ATHERSMITH
William Charles of the Royal George Evesham-street Redditch
Worcestershire died 18
September 1910 at Victoria Villas Station-hill Oaken Gates Shropshire
Administration
London 21 October to Elizabeth
Athersmith widow.
Effects £175."
[2019 equivalent: £20,768]. |
|
|
Following his death, according to the 1911
census, Elizabeth Athersmith and her daughter, Marie, are living at 27
Wyndcliff Road in Aston, along with her father and uncle. |
|
Source |
 Douglas Lammings' An
English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990], Patrick Talbot's
White Shirt, Black Country [2004] & |
|
Playing Career |
Club(s) |
Played
for Bloxwich Wanderers FC when he was only 12 years-old, until the team
amalgamated with the Bloxwich Strollers FC, and then he became a
Strollers' player. Joined and played with the Unity Gas Depot in Saltley
before joining Aston Villa FC in February 1891. After ten years, Villa did
not offer Charlie a new contract because he was running a Public House. He
was refused a free transfer on 21 July. He joined Small Heath FC in
September 1901. It was reported that Athersmith had agreed to join
newly-formed professional club Plymouth Argyle FC of the Southern League
on 30 March 1903. Athersmith did leave when he announced his retirement on
23 April 1905. He went on to
play on a Tagg & Campbell tour of Germany and Austria in September and
October 1905, for which he received a
suspension. |
"When Mr.
Tagg, of the National Football Agency, said that he meant to take an
English team to the Continent the idea was laughed at, but Mr. Tagg, who
takes himself very seriously, has been as good as his word, and last
evening his team left Birmingham en route for Berlin. True, his many
internationals did not turn up, but there was his team, and Mr. Tagg said
that he received a deposit which covered all expenses. The English
Ramblers is the proud title they will tour under. Asked if he had obtained
the sanction of the Football Association. Mr. Tagg replied, 'No; but I
have written for it.' - Yorkshire Telegraph and Star,
Wednesday, 27 September 1905.
"With regard to the
application of Messrs. Tagg and Campbell, of the National Football Agency,
the Football Association has issued the following statement:
"The Football Association has refused its approval to the proposed tour on
the ground that it is being arranged by an agency which
has been acting in disregard of its rules, and they have no information as to its financial arrangements. It is against the policy of
the Football Association allow the game to be expoited
by individuals for their private profit." - The Daily News,
Thursday, 28 September 1905
"The application of W. C.
Athersmith for relief for having played with Messrs. Tagg and Campbell's
team on the continent was declined." - The Nottingham Evening
Post, Tuesday, 6 February 1906.
"F.T. Bailey, E. Cooper, W.C.
Athersmith, and H. Fish, who took part in the Tagg-Campbell tour, applied
for their suspension to be removed. With regard to the application of
Athersmith, the committee decided that it should not be entertained until
the end of this season. The suspensions of Fish, Bailey, and Cooper will
be removed after December 31st, 1906." - The Birmingham Daily Mail,
Monday, 3 September 1906
"The Football Association have
officially notified W.C. Athersmith that his suspension had been removed
as from May 16th" - Eastern Daily Press, Saturday, 18 May
1907 |
| Attempts
to be reinstated as an amateur failed on 1 August 1907. |
League History
369 appearances,
88 goals |
Aston Villa FC 1891-1901 269 appearances,
76 goals.
debut: 9 March 1891 Aston Villa FC 0 Preston North End FC 1.
Small Heath FC 1901-05 one hundred appearances,
twelve goals.
debut: 14 September 1901 Small Heath FC 4 Manchester
City FC 1.
last: 7 January 1905 Notts County FC 0 Small Heath FC 0. |
|
Club honours |
FA Cup runners-up 1891-92 (5ᵃ 1ᵍ), winners
1894-95 (5ᵃ 2ᵍ), 1896-97 (7ᵃ 4ᵍ);
Football League
Division One Champions 1893-94 (25ᵃ 10ᵍ), 1895-96 (29ᵃ 8ᵍ), 1896-97 (30ᵃ 8ᵍ), 1898-99 (28ᵃ 4ᵍ), 1899-1900 (24ᵃ 4ᵍ);
Division Two runners-up 1902-03 (30ᵃ 6ᵍ); |
|
Individual honours |
Football League
(nine appearances, four goals) |
|
Distinctions |
Athersmith was reputedly the quickest footballer in his day. His club,
Aston Villa, pitted him up against the quickest the other teams could
offer. |
|
Height/Weight |
5' 8", 10st 4lb [1892], 5' 8½", 11st [1895] |
|
Source |
Douglas Lammings' An English
Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990], Patrick Talbot's
White Shirt, Black Country [2004] & ENFA. |
|
England Career |
|
Player number |
One of
five who became the 185th players
(187) to appear for England. |
|
Position(s) |
Outside-right |
|
First match |
No. 44, 5
March 1892, Ireland 0 England 2, a British Championship match at
Cliftonville Gardens, Cliftonville, Belfast, aged 19 years
300 days. |
Last match
8 years 33 days |
No. 70, 7 April
1900, Scotland 4 England 1, a British Championship match at Celtic Park,
Kerrydale Street, Parkhead,
Glasgow, aged 27 years 332 days. |
|
Major tournaments |
British
Championship 1891-92, 1896-97, 1897-98, 1898-99, 1899-1900; |
|
Team honours |
British
Championship winners 1891-92, 1897-98, 1898-99; |
|
Individual honours |
The Whites (two
appearances, 1ᵍ March 1891-February 1892)
The Professionals (one
appearance, 1ᵍ March 1897)
The North (one
appearance, February 1899) |
|
Beyond England |
|
Regarded as a player with
pace, this came from track experience - he had run both as an amateur and
professionally with some success, in an unusual variety of distances from
100 yards to a mile. Became a landlord in his native Bloxwich in
August 1901 after Villa let him go, namely at the Red Lion and the Vine
Inn, he also took possession of the Bloxwich Alexandria grounds, before he
spent two seasons with Grimsby Town FC as a
trainer from 15 June 1907 (manager from 17
October) until his departure in August 1909. He returned to Redditch, where he
was landlord of the Royal George in Evesham Street. Died soon after. -
An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming
(1990). Hatton Press, p.15/16 |
|
The Numbers |
|
parties |
Apps |
comp. apps |
minutes |
 | goal
ave. min |
comp. goals |
 |
captain |
|
12 |
12 |
12 |
1080 |
3 |
360 min |
3 |
12 |
none |
|
minutes are an approximation, due to the fact that many matches rarely stick to exactly ninety minutes long, allowing time for injuries and errors. |
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS
|
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
12 |
9 |
1 |
2 |
43 |
13 |
+30 |
0 |
5 |
3.583 |
1.083 |
79.2 |
+7 |
|
All of his matches were played in the British Championship |
Venue Record
|
Venue |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS
|
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
Home |
6 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
30 |
5 |
+25 |
0 |
3 |
5.00 |
0.167 |
83.3 |
+4 |
|
Away |
6 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
13 |
8 |
+2 |
0 |
2 |
2.167 |
1.333 |
75.0 |
+3 |
Tournament Record
|
British Championship Competitions |
|
Type |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS |
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
BC 1891-92 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
+2 |
0 |
1 |
2.00 |
0.00 |
100.0 |
+1 |
|
BC 1896-97 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
11 |
2 |
+9 |
0 |
2 |
3.667 |
0.667 |
66.7 |
+1 |
|
BC 1897-98 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
3 |
+6 |
0 |
1 |
3.00 |
1.00 |
100.0 |
+3 |
|
BC 1898-99 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
19 |
3 |
+16 |
0 |
1 |
6.333 |
1.00 |
100.0 |
+3 |
|
BC 1899-1900 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
-3 |
0 |
0 |
1.00 |
2.50 |
25.0 |
-1 |
|
BC All |
12 |
9 |
1 |
2 |
43 |
13 |
+30 |
0 |
5 |
3.583 |
1.083 |
79.2 |
+7 |
|
All Competition |
|
Type |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
FTS |
CS |
FAv |
AAv |
Pts% |
W/L |
|
BC |
12 |
9 |
1 |
2 |
43 |
13 |
+30 |
0 |
5 |
3.583 |
1.083 |
79.2 |
+7 |
|
12 |
9 |
1 |
2 |
43 |
13 |
+30 |
0 |
5 |
3.583 |
1.083 |
79.2 |
+7 |
Match
History
|
apps |
match |
match details |
comp |
res. |
rundown |
pos |
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