Luke Charman Explained

Luke Charman
Fullname:Luke Bowler Charman[1]
Birth Date:9 December 1997
Birth Place:Durham, England
Position:Striker
Currentclub:Hartlepool United
Clubnumber:11
Youthyears1:–2017
Youthclubs1:Newcastle United
Years1:2017–2020
Clubs1:Newcastle United
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2018–2019
Clubs2:Accrington Stanley (loan)
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2020–2022
Clubs3:Darlington
Caps3:22
Goals3:12
Years4:2022
Clubs4:Rochdale
Caps4:20
Goals4:2
Years5:2022–2024
Caps5:55
Goals5:7
Years6:2024–
Clubs6:Hartlepool United
Caps6:2
Goals6:0
Club-Update:20:59, 17 August 2024 (UTC)

Luke Bowler Charman (born 9 December 1997) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for club Hartlepool United.

He began his career with Newcastle United, but never played for their first team, and made his professional debut in the EFL Trophy while on loan at Accrington Stanley. Released by Newcastle in 2020, he joined National League North club Darlington, for whom 19 goals from 33 appearances earned him a move to the Football League with Rochdale. He signed a two-year contract with AFC Fylde in 2022, before joining Hartlepool United in 2024.

Life and career

Newcastle United

Charman was born in 1997 in Durham. He lived in nearby Sherburn Village and attended Belmont Community School.[2] He joined Newcastle United's Academy at 15,[3] made his debut for their under-18s in a 1–0 loss away to Arsenal U18 in April 2014,[4] and took up a two-year scholarship in July after he left school.[5] He was told in February 2016 that he would not be kept on at the end of the season,[6] but the club had a change of heart and offered several scholars an extra year;[7] coach Dave Watson picked him out as the player who had shown most improvement over the past year.[8]

He continued to progress, and signed his first professional contract in 2017.[9] During the 2017–18 season, he played twice for Newcastle U21 in the EFL Trophy, top scored for their under-23 team,[10] and at the end of a season when 18 reserve players were released in a "major shake-up" when "all those who United do not consider to have a future at the club have been allowed to go", his contract was extended.[11]

In August 2018, Charman joined League One club Accrington Stanley on loan for the season.[12] Partly through injury,[13] and partly because the rules limited the number of loanees in a matchday squad to fiveStanley had seven players on loan[14] he did not make his senior debut until 6 November, in the EFL Trophy in a 2–1 win against West Bromwich Albion U21s. Four days later, he started against Colchester United in the first round of the FA Cup, in which fellow Newcastle loanee Dan Barlaser scored the only goal.[15] Shortly after coming on for his first league appearance, as a second-half substitute on 8 December at home to Sunderland in atrocious weather conditions, Charman was involved in the equaliser, which was Connor Hall's first league goal. Five minutes later, the referee abandoned the match, so neither Hall's goal nor Charman's appearance count towards their records.[16] He was recalled by Newcastle in January 2019.[17]

Charman captained Newcastle U23s at the start of the 2019–20 season, and scored a spectacular goal against Macclesfield Town in the EFL Trophy,[18] but although he was hopeful of impressing manager Steve Bruce,[19] he got no closer to the first team, and was released at the end of the season.[20]

Darlington

On 14 July 2020, Charman joined National League North side Darlington on a free transfer.[21] He made his debut in the first match of the season, and scored both his side's goals in a 2–2 draw with Prescot Cables in the FA Cup, but had been substituted by the time Darlington won the tie on penalties.[22] He made six appearances in the National League North without scoring, but contributed six goals from eight cup matches. In the last of those, he suffered a medial ligament injury that was expected to keep him out for several weeks,[23] by which time the season had been abandoned because of issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.[24] Charman signed a new two-year contract in July 2021,[25] his fitness improved, and he scored freely during the first half of the season, with 12 goals from 16 league appearances.[26] Charman was keen to return to full-time football, and his club's refusal to accept an offer from a National League team had led to "tough conversations" with the player. Manager Alun Armstrong told him that "if he works his socks off and does well", there would be interest from clubs at Football League level, and "then we'll wish him all the best and he'll move on".[26] In the expectation of his imminent departure, Darlington signed striker Tyrone O'Neill in early January 2022.[27]

Rochdale

Amid interest from clubs including Bradford City and Hartlepool United, Charman signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Rochdale of League Two on 20 January 2022; the fee was undisclosed.[28] After completing a four-match suspension imposed for a second sending-off while at Darlington, Charman made his Rochdale and Football League debut on 1 February, replacing Alex Newby after 58 minutes of a 1–1 draw away to Colchester United.[29] [30] Charman finally scored for Rochdale on 30 April, with two goals in the first 17 minutes of the match at home to Bristol Rovers, but the match ended as a 4–3 defeat.[31] After a brief substitute appearance in the opening match of the 2022–23 season, a hamstring injury was to keep him out for some time.[32]

AFC Fylde

Charman left Rochdale on 14 October to sign a two-year contract with National League North club AFC Fylde, who paid an undisclosed club-record fee for his services.[33] [34]

Hartlepool United

Charman signed for National League club Hartlepool United on 5 June 2024, his contract to begin after his existing deal with AFC Fylde expires at the end of the month.[35] He made his competitive debut for Hartlepool in the opening match of the 2024–25 season, a 1–0 victory against Yeovil Town.[36]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Newcastle United U212017–182020
2019–203131
Total5151
Newcastle United2018–19Premier League000000
2019–20Premier League00000000
Total00000000
Accrington Stanley (loan)2018–19League One00103040
Darlington2020–21[37] National League North605432146
2021–22[38] National League North161220111913
Total221274433319
Rochdale2021–22League Two192192
2022–23League Two10000010
Total2020000202
AFC Fylde2022–23National League North3043110345
2023–24[39] National League2532021294
Total5575131639
Hartlepool United2024–25National League20000020
Career total99211350015512731

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Squad lists 2022/23 & U21 registered contract players . EFL . September 2022 . 26 October 2022.
  2. News: Newcastle United's 20 best players under 20 – who fans should be keeping tabs on . Lee . Ryder . Chronicle Live . 15 November 2014 . 11 October 2020.
  3. News: Why former Newcastle United striker holds no regrets about his Magpies release . Chris . Knight . Chronicle Live . 15 July 2020 . 11 October 2020.
  4. News: Toon's fortune shot down by Gunners . Evening Chronicle . Newcastle . 9 April 2014 . 12 . Gale OneFile: News . 11 October 2020 . subscription.
  5. News: United welcome new scholars . Dan . King . Newcastle United F.C. . 11 June 2014 . 11 October 2020.
  6. News: Newcastle United set to release clutch of youngsters from development squad . Lee . Ryder . Chronicle Live . 1 March 2016 . 11 October 2020.
  7. News: Defender extends stay at Newcastle . The Shields Gazette . 3 June 2016 . 11 October 2020.
  8. News: Newcastle youth coach admits lack of victories is affecting 'confidence' of young United players . Chris . Waugh . Chronicle Live . 9 June 2016 . 11 October 2020.
  9. News: Newcastle United offer Yoan Gouffran a new deal - but release Vurnon Anita . Scott . Wilson . The Northern Echo . Darlington . 9 June 2017 . 12 October 2020.
  10. News: Accrington Stanley sign striker from Newcastle United . Alex . James . Lancashire Telegraph . 31 August 2018 . 14 October 2020.
  11. News: Newcastle United reveal retained list - as Rafa Benitez sends farewell message to released players . Chris . Waugh . Chronicle Live . 8 June 2018 . 12 October 2020.
  12. Web site: Stanley sign Charman on loan . Tom . Easterby . Newcastle United F.C. . 31 August 2018 . 14 October 2020.
  13. News: Dons not a benchmark for Stanley – Coleman . Suzanne . Geldard . Lancashire Telegraph . 20 September 2018 . 14 October 2020.
    News: Stanley boss John Coleman dreaming of Wembley ahead of Checkatrade Trophy . Alex . James . Lancashire Telegraph . 8 October 2018 . 14 October 2020.
  14. News: John Coleman on his Stanley selection for West Brom visit . Alex . James . Lancashire Telegraph . 5 November 2018 . 14 October 2020.
  15. News: Accrington Stanley 1–0 Colchester United . BBC Sport . Press Association . 10 November 2018 . 14 October 2018.
  16. Web site: Loan Watch: Dwight hits double figures . Rory . Mitchinson . Newcastle United F.C. . 10 December 2018 . 14 October 2020.
    News: Connor Hall 'gutted' as first league goal won't count . Charlotte . Coates . Lancashire Telegraph . 10 December 2018 . 14 October 2020.
  17. News: Stanley boss Coleman provides January transfer window update . Alex . James . Lancashire Telegraph . 7 January 2019 . 14 October 2020.
  18. News: Can Newcastle United youngster Luke Charman be the next cab off the rank in the Under-23s? . Lee . Ryder . Chronicle Live . 9 September 2019 . 14 October 2020.
  19. News: Newcastle United striker Luke Charman thanks Longstaff brothers for paving way to first team for second string hopefuls . Lee . Ryder . The Chronicle . Newcastle . 8 October 2019 . 14 October 2020 . Gale OneFile: News . subscription.
  20. News: Newcastle United confirm released players as Matty Longstaff talks continue . Lee . Ryder . Chronicle Live . 25 June 2020 . 14 October 2020.
  21. Web site: Quakers sign Luke Charman from Newcastle . Darlington F.C. . 14 July 2020 . 28 July 2020.
  22. Web site: Quakers win penalty shootout to go through in Cup . Ray . Simpson . Darlington F.C. . 3 October 2020 . 3 October 2020.
  23. Web site: Luke Charman injury update . Ray . Simpson . Darlington F.C. . 6 February 2021 . 4 May 2021.
  24. News: National League North and South seasons null and void: 'It's a bit of a nightmare' . Adam . Williams . BBC Sport . 19 February 2021 . 28 February 2021.
  25. Web site: Luke Charman signs a new contract . Ray . Simpson . Darlington F.C. . 23 July 2021 . 23 July 2021.
  26. News: Darlington prepare to lose Charman . Craig . Stoddart . The Northern Echo . Darlington . 31 December 2021 . 21 January 2022.
  27. News: O'Neill returns to Darlington reckoning . Craig . Stoddart . The Northern Echo . Darlington . 7 January 2022 . 21 January 2022.
  28. News: Luke Charman has left Darlington and completed a move to Rochdale . Matty . Jones . The Northern Echo . Darlington . 20 January 2022 . 21 January 2022.
  29. News: Darlington lose Luke Charman's red card appeal . Craig . Stoddart . The Northern Echo . Darlington . 6 January 2022 . 21 January 2022.
  30. Web site: Match Report: Colchester United 1–1 Rochdale . Rochdale A.F.C. . 1 February 2022 . 2 February 2022.
  31. News: Rochdale 3–4 Bristol Rovers . BBC Sport . 30 April 2022 . 9 July 2022.
  32. News: Injury update . Rochdale A.F.C. . 6 August 2022 . 3 September 2022.
  33. Web site: Luke Charman departs . Rochdale A.F.C. . 14 October 2022 . 26 October 2022.
  34. News: AFC Fylde bring in former Newcastle United youngster for a club record fee . Gavin . Browne . Blackpool Gazette . 16 October 2022 . 26 October 2022.
  35. News: Hartlepool United land first summer signing with the capture of AFC Fylde forward Luke Charman . Robbie . Stelling . Hartlepool Mail . 5 June 2024 . 5 June 2024.
  36. News: Player ratings from Hartlepool United's hard-fought win over National League new boys Yeovil Town . Robbie . Stelling . Hartlepool Mail . 11 August 2024 . 15 August 2024.
  37. For FA Cup 2nd and 3rd qualifying rounds: Web site: Quakers win penalty shootout to go through in Cup . Ray . Simpson . Darlington F.C. . 3 October 2020 . 3 October 2020.
    Web site: Early Liddle goal sets up Quakers goal spree . Ray . Simpson . Darlington F.C. . 13 October 2020 . 14 October 2020.
  38. For FA Cup 2nd qualifying round: Web site: Quakers held to a goalless draw in FA Cup . Ray . Simpson . Darlington F.C. . 18 September 2021 . 20 September 2021.
    Web site: Quakers knocked out of Cup by lucky goal . Ray . Simpson . Darlington F.C. . 21 September 2021 . 22 September 2021.
  39. Web site: L. Charman . Soccerway . Perform Group . 17 May 2024.