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There is a saying that men should be measured from the chin up meaning of course that the amount of grey matter they have tucked away inside their skulls, is what counts most. Alfred P. Charles, licensee of the Albert Hotel, Nelson, meets that test alright. If you measure him for the crown of his head to the soles of his feet, he is not lacking in that way either. Genial, modest with unassuming courteous of manner, with a touch of sly humour, he pleased me much when we talked together in the glow of a warm fire, in a spotlessly clean and comfortable room. The atmosphere was agreeable and we had chatted away with no sense of restraint. Alf, as he is better known to many friends and customers, came to Nelson from the West Indies, (he is a native of Port of Spain Trinidad) in November 1933. It happened in this way. He was pretty good at soccer, playing in the forward line. His fellow countryman Learie Constantine, having contacted a director of Burnley Football Club and recommended Alf. Learie sent him a cable: “Come over here” He was with Burnley one season and the following year played with Nelson.
He played professional soccer with Darwen, Stalybridge and Southampton. One of his prized mementoes is a gold wrist-watch with the inscription: “Presented to A Charles by the Directors of Stalybridge Celtic for services rendered. Season 1936.”
He played cricket with Nelson in the palmy days of Alf Pollard, (captain) Constantine, Harold Hargreaves, Windle, Armistead and the rest.
Part of a larger article.