Turner: Charles J. (Charlie)

1933-1935 (Player Details)

Centre Half

Born: Athlone: 1911

Debut: Middlesbrough (h): 28-08-1933

5’10 1/2” 11st 0lb (1933)

Turner spent two seasons at Leeds as deputy to England International Ernie Hart. He represented Eccles Schools, playing in the same side as United keeper Reg Savage, and also played for the Lancashire Combination team, Atherton and then Manchester Central, before joining Stalybridge Celtic. He was signed by Leeds as a twenty-one-year-old from Stalybridge in May 1933 and proved to be a reliable Reserve team player. He moved to Southend United in June 1935. He made ninety-nine League appearances for Third Division South Southend before moving to Second Division West Ham United midway through the 1937-38 season. West Ham signed the experienced Eire international centre-half from Southend United for extra defensive cover following the retirement of Jim Barrett. He made his Hammers’ debut against Sheffield Wednesday at Upton Park in a 1-0 victory on the 12th February 1938. Although he was mainly understudy to Dick Walker during his two seasons at Upton Park, he was capped three times by the Republic of Ireland over the same period to add to the seven he had already gained while with the Shrimpers. He played eleven League games for the Hammers before joining Third Division North Hartlepools United at the start of the 1939-40 season. However, the Second World War brought an end to football before he had chance to make his first team debut for the Monkey Hangers. After World War Two he returned to Eire to manage League of Ireland club Shelbourne.