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27 February 2023
 
 

Charlie Wreford-Brown

Oxford University AFC, Old Carthusians AFC
& Corinthians
FC

4 appearances, 0 goals

P 4 W 3 D 1 L 0 F 15: A 4
88% successful

1889-98

captain: two, probably three
minutes played:
360

Timeline

  Charles Wreford-Brown BA
  Tuesday, 9 October 1866 at Paragon (below left), in Clifton, Bristol, Gloucestershire
  registered as Charles W. Brown in Clifton October-December 1866
"October 9, at the Paragon, the wife of W. Wreford-Brown, Esq., of Over Worton-house, Oxfordshire, of a son." - The Bristol Mercury and Western Counties Advertiser, Saturday, 13 October 1866.

According to the 1871 census, Charles W. is the second oldest of five children to William and Clara Jane (née Clark), living at 27 Royal York Crescent in Clifton alongside four servants. His father is the captain in the North Gloucestershire Militia.

According to the 1881 census, Charles is one of the many pupils attending and boarding at Charterhouse School in Godalming in Guildford.

According to the 1891 census, Chas. W., a solicitor's clerk, is lodging with the Lunron family at 18 Eastbourne Terrace in Paddington.

  "A marriage has been arranged, and will take place next spring, between Mr. Charles Wreford-Brown, of Clifton, and Helen Margaret, only daughter of John Mair Curwen, of 53, Carlisle Mansions, London, S.W." - The Gloucester Citizen, Saturday, 1 December 1900.
 

According to the 1901 census, Charles W. is living with his brother Oswald at 4 Chilworth Street in Paddington. He is now a solicitor.

First marriage to Helen Margaret Curwen, Saturday, 1 June 1901 at St. Margaret's Church, Westminster. Charles is stated as living at 4 Chilworth Street, Paddington, and Helen, at 53 Carlisle Mansions, in Westminster.
  registered in St. George Hanover Square April-June 1901
"MARRIAGE OF MR. C. WREFORD-BROWN.
"The church of St. Margaret's, Westminster―the official church of the House of Commons―was on Saturday the scene of the marriage of one of the most popular amateur footballers. We refer to Mr. Charles Wreford-Brown, the famous Corinthian, Old Carthusian, Oxford University, and International half-back, who rendered good service at cricket for Gloucestershire and his university, though he just missed playing a great match, v. Cambridge, at Lord's. He is a son of Mr. William Wreford-Brown, of Clifton, Bristol, while the bride was Miss Helen Margaret Curwen, only daughter of Mr. John Mann Curwen, of High House, Thames Ditton, and 53, Carlisle Mansions, Victoria Street, Westminster. The sacred edifice was profusely embellished for the occasion with arum lilies, palms and other choice floral decorations, and was filled by relatives and friends of the the contracting parties. The bride arrived punctually at two o'clock, and proceeded up the aisle leaning on the arm of her father, to the strains of 'Fight the good fight.' She was attended by eight bridesmaids. The bride wore an empire gown with white chiffon over white satin, and a full Court train of white satin, trimmed with panne roses. She carried a shower bouquet, the gift of Mr. Brooman-White. The bridesmaids' dresses were of white satin and chiffon, with lace bolero jackets over Charterhouse pink satin. They wore large black picture hats, and carried shepherdess's crooks. With both the bridegroom and the bride's brother identified with the school mentioned, pink carnations were also chosen for the wedding favours. Mr. O. E. Wreford-Brown was best man. The service was fully choral. The officiating clergy were the Rev. G. Napier, of St. Mary's, Westminster, assisted by the Master of Charterhouse (the Rev. Canon Haig-Brown), and the Rev. Gerald Wreford-Brown, brother of the bridegroom. The customary formalities in the vestry over, the newly-wedded pair quitted the church to the strains of the 'Wedding March'. The reception was held at the Whitehall Rooms, Hotel Metropole, and was very largely attended. Ashton's Hungarian Band played a capital selection of music, and shortly after four o'clock Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wreford-Brown left for Folkestone, en route for Paris, where the honeymoon will be spent."
- The Surrey Advertiser, Wednesday, 5 June 1901
Children Charlie and Helen Wreford Brown had three children together. Guy Denis (b.27 May 1905), Peter Geoffrey (d.1909) and Anthony John (b.1912)
  According to the 1911 census, Charles is still a solicitor and is married to Helen and they have two children, Guy and Peter. With them is Helen's brother, Wilfred, and four servants. They live at 1 Walpole Road in Surbiton.
(His father died on 22 December 1914)
  (His mother died 3 October 1916)
According to the 1921 census, Charles, still a solicitor, still married to Helen, now living at 102 Ditton Road in Surbiton with two servants.
According to Passenger Lists, Charles Wreford-Brown, stated as being a solicitor living in Surbiton, is on board the SS George Washington between Southampton and New York on 7 April 1923.
  "MONEYLENDER CHARGED―WITH RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY
"George William Hempstead, 71, bricklayer, of Warwick Road, Kensington, was charged on remand at West London, before Mr. Bingley, with being concerned with persons unknown in breaking into a house at 42B Courtfield Gardens, Earl's Court, on November 25th, and stealing two Spade guineas, three pairs of gold cuff links, and other articles, of the total value of £25, belonging to Charles Wreford-Brown, solicitor...and the magistrate committed him for trial at the Sessions on bail in £20"
- The West London Observer, Friday, 16 December 1927.

According to Passenger Lists, Wreford-Brown is in charge of eighteen footballers on an FA Tour, courtesy of Canadian Pacific Railway Company, which had left the port of Liverpool on 11 May 1931, bound for Montreal, Canada, on the Duchess of Richmond. They returned from Quebec, arriving at Southampton on 23 July 1931, on board the Empress of Britain. The solicitor was living at The Gambil in Pevensey Bay.

"PEVENSEY BAY DIVORCE CASE.
"On the ground of adultery of her husband, Mr Charles Wreford-Brown, a decree nisi with costs was granted to Mrs Helen Margaret Brown, of Gambit, Pevensey Bay, by Mr Justice Bucknill, in the Divorce Court yesterday. There was no defence to the petition. The marriage of Mr and Mrs Brown took place at St Margaret's, Westminster, in June, 1901, and there are three children. Mrs Brown's case was that she and her husband lived together happily until 1932, when he became friendly with another woman. Evidence was given in support of a charge of adultery by Mr Brown at a Kensington flat in September last year."
- The Eastbourne Gazette, Wednesday, 22 April 1936.
Second marriage to Agnes Enid Lascelles Pope, Saturday, 5 December 1936 at Chelsea Register Office
  registered in Chelsea October-December 1936
"MR. C. WREFORD-BROWN―Famous Corinthian Weds at 70.
"Mr. Charles Wreford-Brown, a 70-year-old solicitor, and at one time a famous Corinthian, who played Soccer for England four times, was married  on Saturday at Chelsea Register Office to Miss Agnes Enid Lascelles Pope, aged 38, of Pelham Court, Chelsea. The bride wore a wine coloured ensemble, with a spray of orchids pinned to her coat, and the bridegroom a light grey suit, with a carnation in his buttonhole. Two friends, Mr. and Mrs. W. Spencer Ford, were the only guests at the ceremony, and acted as the necessary witnesses. The bridegroom is still a prominent official of the Football Association."
- The Yorkshire Post, Monday, 7 December 1936.

Charles and his wife, Agnes, were on the P&O Comorin arriving in London on 2 September 1937 from Brisbane. Their address is 62 Pelham Court (;eft), SW3 (The FA Amateur team were returning from their Australian tour).
Charles and his wife are on the Winchester Castle bound for Cape Town from Southampton on 11 April 1939. Their address is still, 62 Pelham Court.

According to the 1939 register, Charles, a solicitor, and his second wife, Agnes, a private secretary, are still living at 62 Pelham Court (left), on Fulham Road, in Chelsea.

"Mr. Charles Wreford-Brown, vice-president of the Football Association, who captained Oxford and England soccer teams in the 80's, is confined to his house with a chill." - Liverpool Daily Post, Monday, 9 February 1942.
Death Monday, 26 November 1951 at 10 Portchester Terrace, Paddington, Middlesex
aged 85 years 48 days registered as Wreford-Brown and W. Brown in Paddington October-December 1951

Obituary

"SOCCER FIGURE DIES
"Mr. Charles Wreford Brown, a life vice-president of the Football Association, and former England and Corinthian centre-half, died today, aged 85"
- The Yorkshire Post, Monday, 26 November 1951.
"Noted Soccer Player and Official
"...He had been in poor health for some time. An old Carthusian who captained Oxford in 1888-9, and a contemporary of the late G. O. Smith, the great England centre forward. Mr Brown had been one of the leading personalities in English soccer for more than fifty years. He gained four appearances for England captaining the side in the victory against Scotland at Glasgow in 1898"
- Aberdeen Evening Press, Monday, 26 November 1951.
Funeral Wednesday, 28 November 1951 at Arno's Vale Cemetery, Bath Road, Bristol
Probate "WREFORD-BROWN Charles of Flat 5 31 Linden-gardens Paddington Middlesex died 26 November 1951 at 10 Porchester-terrace Paddington Administration London 5 January to Enid Agnes Lascelles Wreford-Brown widow.
Effects £2020 14s. 10d."
  His first wife, Helen Wreford-Brown died on 12 April 1952. His second wife, Agnes Wreford-Brown, died in early 1961.

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990] &

Playing Career

Club(s) Attended and played for Charterhouse School from 1883 until 1885, being the captain in his final year. He moved up to Oriel College at Oxford University, earning his blue in 1888 and captained them in 1889. After which, he played for the Old Salopians AFC. Also played with the Old Carthusians AFC team and Casuals FC.
Corinthians 1887-1903,
Club honours FA Amateur Cup winners 1893-94, 1896-97; London Senior Cup winners 1894-95, 1895-96, 1896-97, 1898-99; London Charity Cup winners 1895-96, 1897-98; Arthur Dunn Cup winners 1902-03;
Individual honours London FA
Distinctions Also played cricket for Charterhouse (1883-1885, captain in 1885) and Oxford University FC (1887) and Gloucestershire CC (1886-98).
Height/Weight not known

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990].

England Career

Player number One of nine who became the 157th players (159) to appear for England.
Position(s) Right/centre-half
First match No. 36, 2 March 1889, England 6 Ireland 1, a British Championship match at Anfield Road, Anfield, Liverpool, aged 22 years 144 days.
Last match No. 64, 2 April 1898, Scotland 1 England 3, a British Championship match at Celtic Park, Kerrydale Street, Parkhead, Glasgow, aged 31 years 175 daysᶜ
Major tournaments British Championship 1888-89, 1893-94, 1894-95, 1897-98;
Team honours British Championship winners 1894-95, 1897-98;
Individual honours The South (two appearances 1ᵍ, 1889-90)
The Stripes (withdrew in March 1894)
The Amateurs (one appearance, March 1896, withdrew in March 1895)

Beyond England

A solicitor by profession, admitted in 1895, he was a partner in the firm Jenkins, Baker, Behrens & Wreford-Brown. FA Committee member from 1892-93, 1895-1902 and 1903-04. On the FA Council from 1919-41 and FA vice-President from 1941 until his death. For many years also, he was on the FA's International Selection Committee. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.278.


The Numbers
parties Appearances comp. apps minutes captain
4 4 4 360 0 probably three
The minutes here given can only ever be a guideline and cannot therefore be accurate, only an approximation.
P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
4 3 1 0 15 4 +11 0 0 3.75 1 87.5 +3
All of his matches were played in the British Championship competition

Venue Record

Venue P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Home 2 1 1 0 7 2 +5 0 0 3.50 1.00 75.0 +1
Away 2 2 0 0 8 2 +6 0 0 4.00 1.00 100.0 +2

Captain Record

Venue P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
Home 1 0 1 0 1 1 =0 0 0 1.00 1.00 50.0 =0
Away 2 2 0 0 8 2 +6 0 0 4.00 1.00 100.0 +2
3 2 1 0 9 3 +6 0 0 3 1 83.3 +2

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1888-89 1 1 0 0 6 1 +5 0 0 6.00 1.00 100.0 +1
BC 1893-94 1 1 0 0 5 1 +4 0 0 5.00 1.00 100.0 +1
BC 1894-95 1 0 1 0 1 1 =0 0 0 1.00 1.00 50.0 =0
BC 1897-98 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 0 0 3.00 1.00 100.0 +1
BC All 4 3 1 0 15 4 +11 0 0 3.75 1.00 87.5 +3

All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 4 3 1 0 15 4 +11 0 0 3.75 1.00 87.5 +3
4 3 1 0 15 4 +11 0 0 3.75 1 87.5 +3

Match History

 Club: Oxford University A.F.C., Old Carthusians A.F.C. & Corinthians F.C. - one full appearance (90 min)  
F.A. International Select Committee - four full appearances (360 min)x

Age 22 trial  
one appearance - The North vs. The South, 19 January 1889;

apps match match details comp res. rundown pos

1 36 2 March 1889 - England 6 Ireland 1
Anfield Road, Liverpool
BC HW   rh
  

one of nine who became the 157th player (159) to appear for England
the thirteenth Oxford University AFC player to represent England
the fifth Old Carthusian to represent England
one of two who became the thirtieth Corinthian to represent England

 Club: Old Carthusians A.F.C. & Corinthians F.C. - three full appearances (270 min)  

Age 24 trial  
one appearance - The South vs. The North, 13 January 1890;

Age 25
u/o 19 December 1891 - England 6 Canadian-Americans 1, The Surrey Cricket Ground, Kennington Fr HW replacement
then withdrew
  

Age 27
2 51 12 March 1894 - Wales 1 England 5
The Racecourse, Wrexham
BC AW probable ch
  

probably the 23rd player to captain England

trial  
withdrew - The Whites vs. The Stripes, 15 March 1894;

Age 28
3 54 18 March 1895 - England 1 Wales 1
Recreation Ground, West Kensington
BC HD   ch
  

definitely the 23rd player to captain England

trial  
withdrew - The Professionals vs. The Amateurs, 28 March 1895;

 F.A. Committee Member (1895-1902)  

Age 29
one appearance - The Amateurs vs. The Professionals, 28 March 1896; as R.E. Ford
Age 30
one appearance - The Professionals vs. The Amateurs, 15 March 1897;

Age 31
4 64 2 April 1898 - Scotland 1 England 3
Celtic Park, Glasgow
BC AW   ch
  

 F.A. Council Member (1919-41)  

Age 58
145 4 April 1925 - Scotland 2 England 0, Hampden Park, Glasgow BC linesman
  

Age 59
149 17 April 1926 - England 0 Scotland 1, Old Trafford, Manchester BC linesman
  

Age 62
160 17 May 1928 - France 1 England 5, Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir, Paris
tour
linesman
161 19 May 1928 - Belgium 1 England 3, Olympisch Stadion, Antwerpen
  

Age 63
168 19 October 1929 - Ireland 0 England 3, Windsor Park, Belfast BC linesman
  


     

 
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