Age 16, a young Charles Stokes joined Heeley FC. As a clear talented player and administrator, he eventually became Heeley’s President at a time when they were considered one of the best teams in Sheffield. In 1867, aged 20, Stokes was a key individual involved with the founding of the world’s first regional FA, The Sheffield Football Association. In the same year he was on the committee of the Sheffield Wednesday Cricket Club who met in the Adelphi Hotel and founded Sheffield Wednesday Football Club. Stokes played in the Wednesday team that won the Cromwell Cup in February 1868, the second oldest football trophy in the world, and also played a key part in securing Wednesday’s first ground at Olive Grove.
Stokes became a member of the Bramall Lane Bowling Club in 1869 and was invited to join their Ground Committee in 1875. He witnessed Bramall Lane stage Sheffield’s first ever FA Cup Semi Final, Preston North End v West Bromwich Albion on 16 March 1889. The attendance at this match was well over 22,000, and a massive £500 plus profit was made.
Seeing the potential for a new Sheffield professional club to play full time at Bramall Lane, it was Stokes’ enthusiasm that was instrumental in calling a special meeting in March 1889 at which, the Ground Committee decided to form Sheffield United Football Club. Stokes’ importance to Sheffield United was recognised when he became the Chairman of the Football Club, and it is fitting that his tenure saw United win the League Championship and two FA Cups. He retained his position as United’s Chairman until his death in 1913.
