The Thistle Archive

Relegated Falkirk were in the cost-cutting clearout mode after being relegated in 1969 and two of their better players - John Lambie and Charlie Smith - were snapped up by St Johnstone and Partick Thistle for £3,500 and £8,000. Falkirk had £10K against Charlie's name on the list, but the league management committee reduced this by £2K after the player himself had appealed. Thistle were not used to splashing out the cash at this time, but manager Scot Symon was in the market for a combative midfielder, Charlie fitted the bill, and was seen as a quick-fix for a Thistle team on the slide. Alas, things didn't go to plan in 1969-70, too many departures, disgruntled punters, dressing room unrest; the whole atmosphere around the place was not good and an unthinkable relegation was the end result come the springtime of 1970, Charlie's second in successive seasons.

Charlie was a near ever-present in his first two seasons as a Jag and 1970-71 was much more enjoyable for everyone. That season Charlie's hard-as-nails style won the ball and his no-nonsense approach won the fans as the Jags, under new manager Davie McParland, secured the Second Division title and returned to the promised land at the first time of asking. For Charlie, 7 goals in all competitions was a fine return from midfield. Season 1971-72 was an extremely memorable one for all at Partick Thistle and the 23-year-old Charlie certainly played his part in the early stages. He scored in two of the league cup games (vs. Arbroath and Alloa) as the Jags progressed through the group stage and the supplementary round. He also had a key role in the classic 3-2 win over Rangers which opened the new league season in headline-making style in front of 24,539 at the Stadium of Dreams.

Unfortunately for Charlie, Davie McParland's vision for Ronnie Glavin, that he could be converted from striker to central midfielder, was really paying dividends. Ronnie could handle the rough stuff and was a real ball player too, and that combination pretty much ensured that Charlie would play second fiddle in that key breaker-of-play role. Having a poor relationship with the Thistle manager, and frustrated with ever-extended periods in Thistle Reserves, Charlie tried his hand in South African football in 1973, a trendy destination at the time for fringe pros looking for a new challenge and to make a few bob. There he played with Maritzburg who finished 4th in the 15-team NFL that season.

Charlie was in for a shock when he landed back in Scotland early in 1974 - Thistle claimed him as their player, but he wanted to sign for his hometown team, Falkirk. He couldn't believe it! In March 1974 the SFA stepped in to resolve the matter in Charlie's favour and he was free to play for Falkirk. Alas, he experienced the pain of relegation within weeks of signing, but would bounce-back big-style the following campaign. Within several months Charlie was in the semi finals of the league cup with the Bairns, but they lost out by 1 goal to nil at the hands of Hibernian. He got his second gold medal as a Second Division winner that season but, on a personal basis, would jump two divisions. With league reconstruction, Falkirk would play in the second tier, but Charlie was snapped up by St Johnstone who were all set to play in the inauguraual Scottish Premier League. He made 9 league appearances for the Saints, scoring 3, but it wasn't enough to prevent a bottom-place finish and automatic relegation.

Charlie's next move was bold and life-changing, emigrating to Australia in March 1977, where he'd continue to play as a footballer and raise a family. He initially played with Footscray JUST of the National Soccer League, before spending 3 seasons with Brunswick Juventus of the Victorian State League.

1969 - GLASGOW CUP

1971 - SFL SECOND DIVISION

1971 - LEAGUE CUP

1972 - JULY CUP