Name: William Charles "Charlie" Athersmith HarperNickname: -
Country:
EnglandClub:
Aston VillaPosition: ★
WFSide:
RF/RS Age:
22-28 years (10/05/1872)
Height: 173 cm
Weight: 70 kg
Attack:
83Defence:
35Balance:
75Stamina:
79Top Speed:
93Acceleration:
90Response:
78Agility:
87Dribble Accuracy:
84Dribble Speed:
91Short Pass Accuracy:
79Short Pass Speed:
73Long Pass Accuracy:
90Long Pass Speed:
75Shot Accuracy:
80Shot Power:
82Shot Technique:
78Free Kick Accuracy:
67Curling:
75Header:
69Jump:
74Technique:
81Aggression:
90Mentality:
82Goalkeeper Skills: 50
Team Work:
86Injury Tolerance:
BCondition:
6Weak Foot Accuracy:
5Weak Foot Frequency:
5Consistency:
7Growth type:
Early/LastingCARDS:P04 - Darting Run
P10 - Incisive Run
SPECIAL ABILITIES: Dribbling - Side - Passing
Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Attack-MindedWilliam Charles Athersmith Harper (10 May 1872 – 18 September 1910), known as Charlie Athersmith, one of the most famous name in football of the final part of the 19th century, was highly regarded among the quickest wingers in Britain. Athersmith played a key role in Villa's title-winning sides of 1894, 1896, 1897, 1899 and 1900 as well as reaching three FA Cup finals, finishing on the losing side in 1892 before gaining winners' medals in 1895 and the Double-winning final of the 1896–97 season.
In his day he was the fastest football player in the country, and won many prizes on the running track. In running matches he met with several notable success, and at distances varying from 100 yards to a quarter of a mile he was without a doubt one of the fastest men on his day.
The Legends of Aston Villa wrote:
Wonderfully consistent, he regularly charged 50 yards down the wing without anyone getting near him, always rising to the big occasion. He contributed considerably on the goals front, reaching double figures in five seasons for Villa, his best haul being 12 in 1896-97.
According to Adam Ward and Jeremy Griffin, the authors of 'The Essential Aston Villa' wrote:
Charlie Athersmith is arguably the fastest player ever to have played for Aston Villa. His speed was legendary, and the Bloxwich-born winner formed a formidable right-flank partnership with John Devey.
Ernest Needham, Association Football (1901) wrote:
The speediest forward in England is said to be Athersmith, of Aston Villa, one of the most dangerous men to tackle. Apart from his weakness of rashness at times, he is one of the very best forwards at outside-right. His speed often gets him through where a slower man would have but little chance.
Quote:
One of the fleetest right-wingers of his time. With a working partner he was well-nigh irresistible. Great at touchline play and centred with unerring precision. A trifle wayward and occasionally forgetful of what was due to the game. Played at his best when unruffled. In consequence of his speed, has been penalised for offside play times out of number by unobservant and sometimes incompetent referees. During a long career he has been of splendid service to his country, to Aston Villa.