| Charlie Wilkinson | |
| Fullname: | Charles Edward Wilkinson |
| Birth Date: | 7 May 1907 |
| Birth Place: | Medomsley, England |
| Death Date: | October qtr. 1975 (aged 68) |
| Death Place: | Medomsley, England |
| Youthclubs1: | Wallsend |
| Youthclubs2: | Consett |
| Years1: | 1928–1933 |
| Clubs1: | Leeds United |
| Caps1: | 3 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Years2: | 1933–1938 |
| Clubs2: | Sheffield United |
| Caps2: | 120 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 1938–1939 |
| Clubs3: | Southampton |
| Caps3: | 3 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Years4: | 1939 |
| Clubs4: | Bournemouth |
| Caps4: | 1 |
| Goals4: | 0 |
| Totalcaps: | 127 |
| Totalgoals: | 0 |
Charles Edward Wilkinson (7 May 1907 – 1975) was an English professional footballer who played as a full back for Leeds United, Sheffield United and Southampton in the 1930s. He was a member of Sheffield United's FA Cup team that reached the final in 1936, where they were defeated by Arsenal.
Wilkinson was born in Medomsley, near Consett in County Durham.[1] After playing his early football for local sides, Wallsend and Consett,[1] he joined Leeds United of the Football League First Division in September 1928.
Although he remained with the Elland Road club for five years, he only made three first-team appearances[2] before he moved to fellow First Division club Sheffield United in October 1933, for a fee of £2,000.[3] A bout of influenza caused Wilkinson to miss much of his first season[3] [4] with the Blades, who were relegated to the Second Division. On his recovery, he soon became a regular player at left back, staying with the Bramall Lane club for five years, making 133 first-team appearances.[5] In 1936, Wilkinson helped Sheffield United reach the FA Cup semi-finals, where they met fellow Second Division side Fulham. Wilkinson was injured and unavailable to play in the semi-final, with Albert Cox taking his place as Fulham were defeated 2–1.[6] Wilkinson recovered from his injury in time for the final and manager, Teddy Davison, "opted for (Wilkinson's) age and experience" over Cox.[6] The final, against Arsenal of the First Division, was a fairly even contest which "produced few quality moments" and was won by the only goal of the match from Ted Drake.[7]
In the summer of 1938, Wilkinson left Sheffield to join fellow Second Division club Southampton. He played the first two matches of the 1938–39 season, both 2–1 defeats, but sustained a serious leg injury in the second match at Burnley.[8] The injury required the removal of a cartilage and by the time he had recovered, new signing Tom Emanuel had become established at left back.[8] Wilkinson only managed one further appearance[9] before he left at the end of the season to join Bournemouth as player-coach.[8]
Sheffield United