Perry Charlie Image 3 West Bromwich Albion 1893

Description

West Bromwich born centre half Charlie Perry began his football career with West Bromwich Strollers in 1883 and joined West Bromwich Albion in March 1884, turning professional in August 1885. He made his senior first team debut in the 1886 FA Cup Final against Blackburn Rovers at The Kennington Oval, a match that finished 0-0. Perry collected a runners up medal after Albion lost 2-0 in the replay. He was on the losing side once more in the 1887 Final, in a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa, but he picked up his first winner’s medal a year later in 1888 as Albion beat Preston North End 2-1, and another in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa in 1892. However, he missed the 1895 FA Cup Final due to an injury that later forced his retirement in December 1895.

Perry played in Albion’s inaugural Football League fixture in September 1888, a 2-0 victory at Stoke, and competed for eight seasons in League competition, scoring 12 League goals in 171 appearances. Perry made 219 career appearances for Albion in all competitions, scoring 16 goals. From 1896 until 1902 he served the club as a director.

He was first capped by England in a 9-1 victory over Ireland at the Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast, in March 1890 but was a reserve for England’s match against Scotland the next month. He won his second cap in a 6-1 win over Ireland at Molineux in March 1891, again being named reserve a month later for the Scotland fixture at Ewood Park. His final cap was won in a 6-0 victory over Wales at The Victoria Ground, Stoke, in March 1893. He also twice represented The Football League.

He was the older brother of Tom Perry, who also played for West Bromwich Albion and England. In total there were five footballing Perry brothers, Walter also played for West Bromwich Albion as well as for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

NB in the image, he is photographed with the Football League squad ahead of one of their fixtures.