| Born | 29 December 1881, Holywood, Co Down |
| Died | 1 March 1943 Portrush Co Antrim |
| Educated | Sullivan Upper School, Holywood |
| Debut | 9 June 1926 v Oxford University at The Parks, Oxford |
| Cap Number | 324 |
| Style | Right-hand bat, right-arm medium pace or off-breaks |
| Teams | Holywood |
| History | Charlie Anderson shared in some of the triumphs of the powerful Holywood side before the First World War. They won the NCU Senior Cup twice and added four League titles. His two elder brothers were also prominent cricketers, though one William, was better known as a Linield footballer who gained four Irish caps at the turn of the century. Charlie played a prominent role in the 1905 defeat of North Down, taking 5-59 in the second innings to help to gain a rare 5-wicket success over the Comber men. In 1907 he took 4-71 in the Final against NICC, but this first innings haul could not stave off heavy defeat. After the War Holywood was no longer the force of previous years. William Pollock had moved to NICC and age was taking its toll of others. Thus Charlie found himself the leading batsman, captain and a key bowler. For a man approaching 40, the challenge was too much, though he gave his all. In 1921, his side almost humbled the mighty North Down in the League reaching 250, of which his share was a brilliant 125, and then just failing to bowl them out. He led Holywood to two Cup Finals, but was not rewarded with success. In 1923, despite his second innings 56, Downpatrick won by 10 wickets, while in 1927 though he took 4-48 to restrict North Down to 169, his team still went down by an innings. Like several other players at this time, he was not tried for Ireland until he was past his best. Batting at 6, against Oxford in The Parks in 1926, he was bowled by JW Greenstock, a slow left armer, whose main claim to cricket fame was to be the nephew of the famous septet of Foster brothers of Worcestershire. It may well be that Anderson was not quite of the class necessary to make the step up to representative cricket, the pity is that this wholehearted cricketer lacked the opportunity to prove himself. Edward Liddle, April 2007 |