OBITUARY: Charlie Wright (1938 – 2024)

It is with sadness that we report the passing of former Workington goalkeeper, Charlie Wright.  He was 86.

Joe Harvey signed Charlie from Rangers in 1958, following his release from Ibrox, where he had played for the Light Blues reserves.

He would eventually take over from the formidable Malcolm Newlands at Borough Park, although it took a while for him to become the finished article.

His Reds debut against Torquay United at Borough Park in the second match of the ’58-59 season, saw a nervous start from the Glaswegian and he conceded two soft goals in a 3-3 draw.  It was back to the reserves and the North Regional League for a few months.

Charlie’s career was put on hold after he was called up for National Service but whilst abroad with the Army he played for Hong Kong and saved a penalty in a 2-1 victory over Peru.

When he resumed duties with Reds, Newlands was no longer a rival for the goalkeeper’s jumper and Charlie became first choice, remaining an ever-present throughout the 60-61 and 61-62 seasons.

Towards the end of the ’60-61 campaign, Charlie doubled up as first team and reserve ‘keeper, playing for both over a period of a few weeks.

Wright played in Workington’s first ever Football League Cup tie v. Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 1960 and other highlights included good performances against Nottingham Forest and Blackpool at Borough Park in the FA and League Cups, respectively.

He would become one of the characters of the sixties and seventies and often engaged with supporters behind his goal, becoming well known as the ‘clown-prince’ of that era.

The popular player made his final appearances for Reds in December 1962 but, six weeks later, he was sold to Grimsby Town in a £7,000 transfer deal.  The sale was to ease the financial pressure on the club during the ‘big freeze’ that winter.

He made 136 league and cup appearances for Workington, keeping 33 clean sheets in the process.

After learning his trade at Borough Park, Charlie subsequently spent three seasons with Grimsby, five more at Charlton Athletic before ending his professional career with two years at Bolton Wanderers.

He managed York City for nearly three years and returned to Burnden Park to manage Wanderers.  Charlie returned to Borough Park in 1985 with his Bolton side for a pre-season friendly.

We send our condolences to Charlie’s family at this particularly sad time.