THE local football fraternity was in mourning last week with the passing of Charlie Oakes, from Downpatrick, at the age of 81.
Charlie was a footballing magician and played with a smile on his face, win lose or draw.
A naturally talented all-rounder, he also excelled at table tennis, golf and in his later years, bowls. But it is for his exploits on the football field that he will always be remembered.
He started out on his journey at 15 years of age when he signed for Lincoln City, along with Ballykinlar and Down GAA star Paddy ‘Mo’ Doherty.
Wages in the early 1950s were paltry, so Charlie had to take on a part time job to supplement his income, but that never bothered him as long as he could get playing football.
After moving to Tamworth FC for a while, he returned home to Northern Ireland to play for Cliftonville in the Irish League before moving closer to home to play for Rathkeltair, Killyleagh, Drumaness and Miami All Stars.
Charlie may not have been the biggest player, but he had the heart of a lion and was an absolute genius with the ball at his feet.
Perhaps the biggest compliment paid to him locally was in 2000 when he was named in the greatest ever Killyleagh YC team to mark the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the club.
It was in 1964 that he joined Killyleagh from Drumaness Mills and the following year he was appointed trainer of the team, while still a player.
Along with his brother Essie, who was the second team manager, he made an important contribution to football in Killyleagh in the 1960s.
In and around the late 1960s Charlie moved to manage Downpatrick United and was at the club when they became Downpatrick Rec a few years later.
He then famously teamed up with Jim Prior and together they led the club to unprecedented success, culminating in winning the Steel & Sons Cup in 1977. Charlie was Prior’s right hand man for over a decade and the manager trusted him implicitly.
When Downpatrick Rec folded in 1986, Charlie took up the game of bowls and just as with football, a smile was never far from his face when he was on the green.
Charlie maintained his interest in Killyleagh, Downpatrick and Drumaness long after his active involvement in football ceased and was never afraid to voice his opinions as to how and where the local game should be heading.
Deepest sympathy is extended to his wife, Anne, children Raymond, Barry, Anne Marie, JC and DD, and extended family circle.