East Sussex sporting community saddened by death of Charlie

A gentle, unassuming man and a true sportsman, Charlie played cricket and football for several local teams over many years.

Charlie attended Claverham Secondary School in the 1960s and represented the Battle school at football, basketball and cricket.

As a teenager, he played football and cricket for Sedlescombe.

When he left school, Charlie continued to play football for Sedlescombe. He also played Sunday league football for the Silverhill Tavern and Westfield Plough.

While continuing to play Sunday cricket for Sedlescombe, Charlie also played Saturday cricket for Eldridge & Cruttenden.

Charlie ultimately left Sedlescombe FC to play for Westfield FC, where he enjoyed many successful seasons. Charlie eventually hung up his boots following a successful campaign in the third team.

He played many seasons in the East Sussex Cricket League for Crowhurst Park before moving to Westfield CC in 2014.

Charlie also played cricket for many seasons for Sussex Seniors, meeting many new friends.

Off the field, he was a supporter of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and latterly Chelsea and Nottingham Forest (this owing to the influence of his beloved grandchildren).

Charlie was an avid supporter of the England cricket team, who he followed in various countries across the world including, on one occasion, with the late Sussex and England player Tony Greig.

Watching Sussex County Cricket Club play at Hove was another pastime he really enjoyed.

During the winter evenings, Charlie would regularly be seen watching the local indoor cricket fixtures.

Most of his winter Saturday afternoons were taken up watching Westfield FC.