Charlie was very keen on sport, both as a player and a spectator. As a young man he played for his school football teams, with his friends George Warren and Henry Ellis, either in goal or in defence. On leaving school he played for several local league clubs... often having two or three matches over the same weekend. He retired approaching the age of 40, by which time he had taken up badminton, and also played golf, snooker and bowls in his latter years.

With an 'old fashioned' view that participation was more important than winning... he still had quite a competitive streak, and managed to collect a number of trophies over the years.

As a spectator, he was a regular at Fratton Park... and it was through Pompey Supporters Club that me met Lynn when they were both on a train travelling to an away match in London.

An avid watcher of sport on TV Mum always said she would never allow satelite TV in the house... because if Dad had 'Sky Sports' he would never move away from the set... but the truth is there was some coverage he would not watch... cricket, rugby, darts and wrestling (if those last two count as sport)...

He never really had time for horse racing, except for one event... each year he would place a small bet on the Grand National. I don't think he ever won much!