Charles Eastlake Smith


Charles Eastlake Smith was an English amateur footballer who played for Crystal Palace and England. By profession, he was an insurance clerk.

Early life

Smith was born in Colombo, Ceylon in 1850 the son of James and Matilda Smith. His father James had been born in Scotland and was an East Indian Merchant. He was educated at Rossall School in Lancashire and played in the school football XI in 1869 and 1870 being captain in his final year.

Football

Smith played for Crystal Palace and later Wanderers as a forward; in 1876 he won an international cap when he played for England against Scotland.
Smith served on the Football Association committee between 1875 and 1876.

Family

Smith was the cousin of fellow England international, Gilbert Smith.
Smith married Lizzie Cooper in Lewisham in 1880. They had a son Claude Eastlake Smith and a daughter Gladys Shirley Eastlake Smith who became a tennis player and was an Olympic gold medalist in 1908.
Smith died in Bromley, London on 10 January 1917.