Debut:
02/12/1893 v Everton (Bank Street) 0-3 (League Division One)
Farewell:
Transferred to ?, 05/1897, £
Passed Away:
PA
Biography
Among all of Newton Heath's league players of the 1890s, Charles Rothwell stood out as a rare amateur. And he could afford to play for free. Charles, and his younger brother Herbert (a fellow Heathen), were posh - their father, William, was a councillor in Manchester for decades and was a successful brewer. He owned the Heath Brewery on Oldham Road and 'W.T. Rothwell' was an established brand. Mr. Rothwell was also a vice-president of the club for a while.
Charles was intricately involved in the family business, but he was a good footballer too, at least for Newton Heath's reserves. Over 30 goals have been traced in his name from 1893 to 1897 and surely there were more. Indeed, he was often captain of the second eleven, just as likely to turn out at centre-forward as at inside-right.
The first team, however, was another matter, Rothwell having to challenge for a spot at a time when the club boasted lethal strikers. An insight into one way the Heath management selected the lineup came from a unique occasion that Rothwell was involved in - a mid-season practice match at Bank Street on November 15th, 1893, attended by a good number of fans: Probables versus Possibles. Despite lining up with the Probables and helping them to a 8-3 win, Charles did not make the cut that time.
At least he maintained his prolific rate whenever called upon to the first eleven, as a record of 10 goals in 14 outings testifies. The highlight was on December 19th, 1894, when Heath planted 10 goals past Beswick, Charles' share being four goals. Alas, only three of his outings were of a competitive nature: his debut against Everton in 1893-94, a goalscoring cameo against Burslem Port Vale a season later, and a memorable farewell appearance in December 1896 when Rothwell struck twice past West Manchester in a 7-0 FA Cup triumph. No picture available - 100% strike record. Biography kindly provided by Charbel Boujaoude.
