Preedy Charlie Image 2 Arsenal 1930

Description

From an Army family, Neemuch, India born goalkeeper Charlie Preedy began his football career after the First World War with British Motor Cab, playing for Bostall Heath in 1921 and Redhill in 1922, from where he signed for Third Division (South) club Charlton Athletic that December, making his Football League debut against Watford in November 1923, initially understudy to Freddy Wood. In October 1924 Preedy took over the gloves from Wood and was a near ever present between the sticks from then until September 1927, when he faced competition from Albert Lindon and Tom McKenna, and although he regained the gloves towards the end of March 1928 and remained The Addicks incumbent through to the season end, he joined Third Division (North) club Wigan Borough in July 1928 after 140 appearances for Charlton.

He had a single season at Springfield Park, missing only one match, playing 44 times, before moving to Arsenal in May 1929. He was not initially The Gunners’ first team goalkeeper, instead mainly he was understudy to Dan Lewis Preedy made his Arsenal debut against Sheffield Wednesday on 7th September 1929, and kept a clean sheet as Arsenal won 2-0. Having lost his place at the end of the month, and with two intermittent outings in the meantime, he regained the gloves from Lewis at the start of April and played as Arsenal won the 1930 FA Cup Final 2-0 against Huddersfield Town at Wembley. The following season he shared the gloves with Gerry Keizer and Bill Harper, playing 11 matches as Arsenal won the League Championship for the first time, and he was selected for their FA Charity Shield win over West Bromwich Albion at Villa Park in October 1931 having started the season as Arsenal’s principal goalkeeper. However he lost his place to Frank Moss in November and played just once as they again won the League Championship in 1932-33, joining Bristol Rovers in July 1933 after 40 matches for Arsenal.

At Bristol Rovers he missed just 3 matches during a single season at Eastville, making 44 appearances, and he moved to Luton Town in August 1934, but played just 5 matches in August and September before losing his place to Joe Coen, joining Kent League club Margate in 1935, where he played until his eventual retirement.

NB in the photograph he is shown with Arsenal team mates Bob John, Ray Lambert and Alex James.