Thread by @danddfhs

1. Charlie Williams MBE was born on 23rd September, Royston, a small mining village in Barnsley, West Riding of Yorkshire. His father, also Charles, had come to Britain in 1914 from Barbados, and enlisted in the Royal Engineers.

2. After the First World War, his father settled in Royston, where he sold groceries from a horse and cart, and married a local woman, Frances Cook.

3. His father had been forced to give up his job as a greengrocer as a result of trench foot acquired in France, and depended on National Assistance.

4. After leaving school aged 14 Charlie Williams worked at Upton Colliery during the Second World War, a reserved occupation.

4. He played football for the colliery team, before turning professional, and signing for Doncaster Rovers in 1948, having also considered York City and Nottingham. #doncasterrovers #doncasterhistory

5. Charlie was the first black footballer to represent Doncaster Rovers. He made his debut in the final League game of the 1949-50 season. He did not reappear until January 1955 kept out by first syd Bycroft then Bill Paterson. #doncasterrovers #doncasterisgreat #mydoncaster

6. He soon made up for lost time in the 1955-56 season scoring his only league goal in a 2-2 draw with Barnsley in Mar, 1956. #doncasterrovers #doncasterhistory #mydoncaster

7. His final game came in November 1958 after which he had to give up full-time football due to a knee injury. He did play for three seasons with Skegness Town. #doncasterrovers #doncasterhistory #mydoncaster

8. While Charlie was a t Rovers he teamed up with lifelong friend Alick Jeffery in a singing group. Charlie was a natural funny man and told jokes which proved popular in the working mens clubs. So he decided on a career in entertainment. #doncasterhistory #mydoncaster

9. His big break came in the 1970's ITV show The Comedians. He became a household name.
Charlie had first hand experience of racism not only during his football career but was refused entry to Australia because of his colour. #doncsterrovers #mydoncaster

10. Although people will recall Charlie for his TV and stage performances as a comedian. But to Doncaster Rovers supporters he will be remembered as a member of the great teams of the 1950's. A good footballer and popular among his fans. #mydoncaster #doncasterrovers

11. In 2004 he was voted Doncaster Rovers "all -time cult hero" by viewers of the Football Focus programme.
Charlie Williams died in 2006. #doncasterrovers #mydoncaster