CHEEKY CHARLIE

TOM GREEN LOOKS AT THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CHARLIE MITTEN, WHO WENT FROM BURMA TO BOGOTA VIA OLD TRAFFORD

- TOM GREEN

MANCHESTER United have had their fair share of famous double acts and trinities over the years but, after the resumption of the Football League following World War II, Matt Busby had put together a quintet of attacking brilliance.

Busby created an exceptional frontline that included Jimmy Delaney on the right wing, Johnny Morris in the inside right position, Stan Pearson at inside left, Charlie Mitten on the left wing and the goal-getting expert Jack ‘Gunner’ Rowley.

It was Mitten, known to many as ‘Cheeky Charlie’, who became one of the most controversial figures in the club’s history.

Born in Rangoon, Burma in January 1921, Mitten joined United in 1936 before World War II interrupted his football career. He would spend the conflict serving in the RAF before a return to Old Trafford.

The winger was known to be an exuberant, swashbuckling crowd-pleaser who possessed a brilliant left foot. During the four years after the Second World War, Mitten helped United to three runners-up places, a fourth spot and the 1948 FA Cup final.

Mitten’s performance in the 4-2 victory over Blackpool has been described as dazzling and at that moment in time he was a superstar of English football.

Football in post-war England was booming and, quite rightly, the players wanted their share. The issue was that even the best players were earning around £8 a week in the summer and just £6 in the off-season. A wage in 1950 of around £8 would equate to a wage of £343 in today’s money.