As a young boy, Charlie developed a love of sport in general, and football (or soccer, as it is known in Canada) in particular. In fact, he became quite obsessed with football, never missing an opportunity to join in a game or just kick a ball against a wall. Growing up, he played for the Largs Boys Brigade team and by all accounts he was a very good player.

On several occasions, though, he found himself in some trouble for putting his love of the game ahead of more pressing matters. On one occasion he and several friends met on the street on a Sunday afternoon, and began kicking a ball around. The local policeman saw them and they were arrested - it was illegal in Largs at that time to play football on a Sunday! Charlie’s love of the game landed him in front of a judge, although he got off with a warning.

Charlie had a job delivering shoes for the local shoe repair shop. One day, while making his rounds, he came upon a pick-up football game in full swing and he thought he would join in … just for a moment. Time slipped away - Charlie was totally lost in the action of the game. Unfortunately, his boss Mr. Fraser chose that moment to come along and catch Charlie in the act of playing football with the undelivered shoes forgotten at the side of the road!