A CAMPAIGN is being launched to get recognition for a North-East footballer whose legacy includes helping establish a players' union.

Charlie Roberts was born in Darlington in 1883 and played junior football for Bishop Auckland before he signed for Grimsby Town in 1903.

A year later he signed for Manchester United for £600 – a record fee at the time – and went on to help win them win promotion, several league titles and the 1909 FA Cup.

He also played for England and later played for Oldham Athletic, but Roberts’ most impressive achievement in football is arguably the role he played in establishing a players' union to challenge the FA over footballers’ rights and wages.

Darlington resident and sports enthusiast Ricky Butler was researching football history when he learned about Charlie Roberts and when he realised he was born in Darlington, he thought it would be fitting to have a memorial to him in his hometown.

Mr Butler said: “He set up the footballers union at the beginning and had a significant role in the history of football in this country, but most people have never heard of him.

“This is despite the fact that he played such an important role in developing the game as it is today, in a lot of ways.

“The fact that he was from Darlington, and played junior football here made me think that it would be nice to be recognised by the town in some way.”

Mr Butler praised the Darlington-led campaign which led to a statue being erected for the world’s first black footballer, Arthur Wharton, at the FA’s headquarters in Burton, but questioned why Roberts has been overlooked by his hometown.

“I just feel as though that what Charlie Roberts did was far more significant for football as a whole, and he came from Darlington,” said Mr Butler.

“It just seems like quite a big deal.”

He suggested that Darlington FC could support the campaign in some way when they return to playing football in the town and he is keen for anybody who wants to help with the memorial to contact him.

Mr Butler, who films grass roots sport for a living, through his own business Butler Sports TV, would also like to hear from any relatives of Roberts who may still be living in the region.

He would like to make a short film about Roberts to coincide with the memorial hopefully getting placed for him in Darlington.

If you would like to get involved, Mr Butler can be contacted on 07718-988-325 or rikybutler@aol.com