Petrie Charlie Image 1 Stalybridge Celtic 1921

Description

Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester born inside left Charlie Petrie began his football career with Openshaw prior to the First World War and had a spell as an amateur on the books of Manchester City in 1918 before signing for Central League club Stalybridge Celtic in August 1919, and when Stalybridge joined the Third Division (North) in 1921, Petrie made his Football League debut against Chesterfield in their inaugural League match, scoring their first ever League goal and getting a brace as Celtic won 6-0. He had a spell of 9 goals in five matches during October which included a hat-trick against Tranmere Rovers in the fifth match, and in February 1922 he was signed by Second Division club Sheffield Wednesday, replacing Johnny McIntyre who had left for Blackburn Rovers, his 17 goals in 26 appearances for Stalybridge still being enough for him to be their leading goalscorer for the season.

In his first full season at Hillsborough he scored 16 goals during The Owls’ 1923-24 campaign, but lost his place early on in the 1924-25 season, playing only 3 matches during the campaign, and joined Swindon Town after 23 goals in 59 appearances for Wednesday, where he was used as cover for the well-established Jack Johnson. After two seasons at The County Ground in which he scored 12 goals in 32 appearances, Petrie was placed on the transfer list at the end of the 1926-27 season.

Although now 32 and past his prime, he was signed by Second Division club Southampton for a fee of £150 in June 1927. Petrie provided extra competition for first team places and made his Southampton debut, replacing his former Sheffield Wednesday colleague Sam Taylor, away to Leeds United on 3rd September. For the duration of his time with The Saints, Petrie was in and out of the side, with his longest run of games being eight matches in September/October 1928, before Herbert Coates was signed in October. In two seasons at The Dell, Petrie made 24 appearances, scoring some vital goals, before being released on a free transfer. In July 1929, Petrie joined York City but failed to make any appearances for their first team before retiring the following summer.