John Charnley

John Charnley was originally a full-back for Blackburn & District Amateur League side St. Peter’s, before joining Blackburn Crosshills. At the time of the 1908 London Olympics, he was uncapped, but still selected as one of the non-travelling reserves. The following year, he was selected to play for Lancashire against London, in the inter-county match at Park Royal. That was Charnley’s only representative honour. He later became a referee in the Blackburn Amateur and Sunday School Leagues.

A qualified engineer by trade, Charnley served on the Blackburn Town Council for 32 years, and was Mayor in 1945-46. He was a local magistrate and was also secretary of the Amalgamated Engineerin Union for 27 years.