Betts Charlie Image 1 Watford 1908

Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire born left back Charlie Betts began his football career in 1904 with North Lindsey United, one of the clubs that merged in 1910 to form Scunthorpe United, from where he joined Second Division club Gainsborough Trinity in the 1905 close season, making his Football League debut at Glossop that September. A consistent performer during his two seasons at Northolme, Betts transferred to Southern League Watford in May 1907 after a single goal (from the penalty spot) in 68 appearances, replacing the departed Joe Brooks at left back.

He had three consistent seasons at Cassio Road, making exactly 100 appearances for The Hornets before returning to Gainsborough Trinity in May 1910, where he scored the only other goal of his career, again a penalty, in 34 further appearances for Trinity in 1910-11. In June 1911 he was bought by Newcastle United for £150, but never got a chance in their first eleven before moving on to Second Division Derby C0unty the same October.

Betts helped The Rams to seal promotion in his first season as Second Division Champions, and spent two seasons in the top flight at Derby although he lost his regular place at the start of the 1913-14 season and made only 11 appearances during their campaign which ended in relegation. He joined Hull City in May 1914 and was a fixture in The Tigers’ line up in the final season before the onset of the First World War forced the suspension of peacetime football, making 39 appearances. At the end of the War Betts returned to Anlaby Road and added a further 18 outings to his pre-war total, before joining Midland League club Scunthorpe & Lindsey United in June 1920, subsequently becoming player-coach of Normanby Park Steelworks in May 1923 before his eventual retirement.