Shropshire, West Midlands and wider regions pay tribute to much-loved football scout Charlie Walker

Charlie, who lived in Oakengates in Telford, passed away four days after his birthday surrounded by family in February after a battle with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Hundreds of well-wishers turned out at his funeral in St George’s last month - including representatives from Aston Villa and the Shropshire FA - and many more messages of condolences have been received.

He worked as a scout for clubs including West Bromwich Albion, Shrewsbury Town, Telford United and Villa.

Football and golf-loving Charlie was born in Musselburgh, Scotland, but spent much of his life in Shropshire, where he worked at the former manufacturing firm GKN Sankey in the town.

He had a huge passion for coaching grassroots football but it was as a scout, at both amateur and professional level, he was a hugely respected figure in the game.

Many footballers from the Shropshire and wider regions owe some of their development to talent-spotter Charlie.

Daughter Karyn said the family were extremely grateful for the response and proud of his achievements and standing in the sport.

“As well as being a great football coach and great scout, he was just a lovely, humble man,” Karyn said.

“He would have been so, so amazed and surprised, bewildered by the reaction from everybody. He really would.

“We're really proud of my dad. We knew he was well thought of in the area because he's had an involvement with so many people within football specifically.

“He was our hero and our legend, but he was obviously quite a legend for a lot of people as well, which is a lovely thing.”

Charlie retired from Sankey - who he represented as a goalkeeper for the firm’s high-profile Shropshire League side - aged 57. He had balanced scouting for Devon club Plymouth Argyle while working full-time, as well as duties for Albion.

After retirement he scouted for Shrewsbury Town, Telford United and prominently Villa, where he worked as a talent-spotter until the age of 79.

Charlie played a pivotal role in launching the career of Wolves boss Rob Edwards, who is from Madeley. Edwards’ dad paid respects at the funeral, as did the wife of Shrewsbury coach Sean Parrish, who is Edwards’ cousin from Telford.

He helped identify the ability of footballers including the late Dalian Atkinson, the ex-Villa striker, and Salopian former Shrewsbury, Manchester City and England goalkeeping hero Joe Hart.

Charlie also helped develop the games of Denbighshire-born youngsters Ian Rush and Mark Hughes, who went on to become and remain global icons.

Current Championship talents such as Telford duo Ryan Giles and Ryan Barnett, who play for Hull and Wrexham respectively in the second tier, also sent messages after the news of Charlie’s death.

Few park pitches in the county and further afield were not graced by scout Charlie, renowned for wearing his red tartan cap with notebook in hand, scribbling about potential football talent.

Charlie, who managed local clubs in Oakengates and Lawley among others, was just as committed to helping young players however he could, with lifts around the country or otherwise. He also organised tournaments overseas in Holland to provide local children there the opportunity.

“I remember from the 70s that if my dad wasn’t at work he would be scouting for somebody or another, or taking coaching sessions, or managing his team,” added Karyn.

“One person said that my dad saw him playing and he gave him confidence and belief in a dream that he could be a reasonable player and he went on and became that.

“I can’t say enough about those sort of comments, they are brilliant.”

Charlie’s other passion was golf and he was a member of Wrekin Golf Club for almost 60 years. He was a talented player with a low single-figure handicap at one stage. There was a gathering to celebrate Charlie’s life at his former club following his funeral.

The much-loved former scout and family man is survived by his wife and childhood sweetheart ‘Nan’, the couple’s four children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.