Charles William Wallace (20 January 1885 – 26 January 1970) was an English footballer who played for Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Oldham Athletic.

Charlie Wallace
Personal information
Full name Charles William Wallace[1]
Date of birth (1885-01-20)20 January 1885
Place of birth Sunderland, England
Date of death 26 January 1970(1970-01-26) (aged 85)[2]
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[3]
Position(s) Outside forward
Youth career
1901 Rectory Park
1903–1905 Southwick
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1905–1907 Crystal Palace 56 (13)
1907–1921 Aston Villa 314 (?)
1921–1923 Oldham Athletic 47 (3)
International career
1913–1920 England 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

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Wallace was born in Sunderland[4] and played for local club Southwick before signing with Crystal Palace for the club's inaugural season of 1905–06.[4] He was initially signed as a reserve player, but made the transition to first team football, making 19 League appearances that season (out of 24), scoring five goals and helping Palace to win the Southern League second division title and promotion to division one.[4] The next season, Wallace missed only one of 38 games, scoring eight goals, and in the 1907 close season moved on to Aston Villa.[2]

Wallace made 314 League appearances for Aston Villa over 14 years but only 9 competitive seasons due to sport being interrupted by the outbreak of World War I.[4]

Wallace was the first player to miss a penalty kick in an FA Cup Final, when he missed the target from the spot in 1913 against Sunderland at London's Crystal Palace.[5] A penalty kick miss would not occur again in an FA Cup Final until 1988, when Liverpool player John Aldridge had his penalty saved by Wimbledon goalkeeper Dave Beasant.[5] Villa still went on to win 1–0 in the 1913 FA Cup Final, despite Wallace's penalty miss. Villa's goal that day came from Tommy Barber courtesy of a Wallace assist from a corner kick.[5] Wallace also played in Villa's 1920 FA Cup Final winning side.[4]

In 1921 Wallace moved on to Oldham Athletic before retiring from playing in 1923 when he returned to Aston Villa as a coach and scout.[4] He also spent time as a dressing room attendant and steward with the club, until retiring in 1960.[4]

Wallace's honours included a league championship in 1910 and two FA Cup winner's medals, in 1913 and 1920.[2]

Wallace was also capped 3 times for England, making his debut on 17 March 1913 in a 4–3 victory against Wales at Ashton Gate.[2] He went on to gain his second cap in a 3–0 defeat to Ireland at Ayresome Park on 14 February 1914 in front of 25,000 spectators.[2] His final cap for England came in a famous 5–4 victory against Scotland in front of 40,000 at Hillsborough on 10 April 1920.[2]

Later career

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After retiring from full-time football, Wallace also worked as a painter and decorator.[4]

Charlie Wallace died on 26 January 1970, aged 85.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Purkiss & Sands 1989, p. 314.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Charlie Wallace – Football and the First World War". Football and the First World War. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  3. ^ Harricus (22 August 1921). "First Division prospects. Oldham Athletic". Athletic News. Manchester. p. 6.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Purkiss, Mike; Sands, Nigel (1989). Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. The Breedon Books Publishing Company. p. 91. ISBN 0907969542.
  5. ^ a b c "Penalty!". www.thefa.com. The Football Association. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
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