631 Charlie Palmer

Biography

Pacy right back Charlie Palmer joined City in February 1987 for a £30,000 fee on the same day as Alex Dyer. Palmer and Dyer were part of the squad development plans Brian Horton was putting in place to consolidate on the club’s promotion to the Second Division two years previously. Palmer was an instant hit in the first team, showing consistency in defence and a pleasing ability to begin attacks from wide positions. Between his debut at Portsmouth in February 1987 and a League game at Blackburn in mid-January 1988 Palmer played in 51 consecuive senior matches across all competitions. He ended the 1987/88 season in and out of the side as Brian Horton’s side fell into a winless slump and the caretaker duo Dennis Booth and Tom Wilson took temporary charge. With Eddie Gray installed for 1988/89 Charlie was again a regular first teamer and scored his only City goal in a late October 1-2 defeat at Leeds. But as 1989 began Gray preferred Nicky Brown at right back and Palmer was sold a few weeks later.

Born in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, Palmer served his apprenticeship at Watford during Graham Taylor’s time as first team manager. Charlie made his Hornets debut in December 1981 at Burnley in a Group Cup Quarter Final that Watford lost 1-2. After a solitary Group Cup appearance the following season, Palmer made a more of an impact on the first team in 1983/84, getting a run of nine First Division starts in September and October 1983 and scoring in a September 3-1 win over Notts County. But by the end of the season Palmer was again in the reserves, David Bardsley having been signed to replace him at right back, and Charlie was given a free transfer. He joined Derby County in the 1984 close season and made 33 appearances, scoring twice, as the Rams narrowly missed out on promotion. In 1985/86 the Rams sealed their return to Division Two with Palmer making 18 appearances in spells at the beginning and end of the season. Elevated to Division Two, Palmer was not selected by manager Arthur Cox and was allowed to go to Hull in February 1987.

In February 1989 Palmer joined Notts County and was a first team regular at Meadow Lane for nearly five years, endearing himself to fans with his all-action playing style. In 1994 Charlie joined Walsall and assisted the Saddlers to a Third Division runners-up spot in his first season. He was selected less frequently the following season and called time on his professional career in the 1996 close season. Charlie dropped into the non-leagues and played for Burton Albion, Moor Green and Hinckley United. Palmer gave up playing altogether in 2000 and was subsquently coach and assistant manager at Hinckley United, Quorn FC and Mickleover Sports. He briefly took over the manager’s job at Mickleover Sports in early 2013, then was appointed full-time manager of Long Eaton United in April 2013. After two and half years at Long Eaton Charlie took over the reins at Belper Town in October 2015, resigning from The Nailers’ managerial hotseat in May 2017. He worked as a social worker alongside his managerial duties at Belper.

Details

Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 10 July 1963, Aylesbury
Hull City First Game: 14 February 1987, Portsmouth A (Division Two), 23 years, 219 days old
Hull City Final Game: 31 December 1988, Ipswich Town H (Division Two), 25 years, 174 days old

Clubs

Watford (1981-1984), Derby County (1984-1986), Hull City (1986-1989), Notts County (1989-1994), Walsall (1994-1996), Burton Albion (1996-1997), Moor Green (1997-1998), Hinckley United (1998-2000)

Hull City Record

Career: 78 apps, 1 goals

Charlie Palmer
SeasonLGE
App
LGE
Gls
FAC
App
FAC
Gls
FLC
App
FLC
Gls
EUR
App
EUR
Gls
OTH
App
OTH
Gls
1986/8717 (0)01 (0)0------
1987/8835 (0)02 (0)02 (0)0--1 (0)0
1988/8917 (1)1--1 (0)0--1 (0)0

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