Full-back Charlie Bicknell was one of the most consistent players in the Football League between the wards.

In 5½ seasons with Bradford City he chalked up 224 consecutive appearances in Division 2 and then moved on to join West Ham United where he again proved an almost ever-present right up to the end of the war.

Bicknell was born in Pye Bridge near Chesterfield and was coal-miner, playing hardly any football until he signed for Chesterfield from local side New Tupton Ivanhoe. He spent 1927/28 as an amateur with the Derbyshire club before signing professional forms and staying at Saltergate for two more years before moving to Bradford City in March 1930 for £600.

After missing the game at Preston North End in November that year, he embarked on that remarkable run which ended only with his transfer to West Ham United in March 1936.

In his last two years at Bradford City he was captain and when transferred he became the first Hammers' player to lift a major trophy when he helped them to win the 1940 War Cup Final at Wembley.

He was captain at West Ham United in the 1946/47 when aged 41 he retired from playing in the professional game.