Charles Tyson

Charles Francis Tyson (Spring 1885 – 31 October 1964) was an English amateur footballer who played at centre half for Southampton in the Southern League and for Dulwich Hamlet. He made one appearance for the England amateur side. By profession, he was a schoolteacher, spending most of his career at Alleyn's School situated in Dulwich, south London.

Football career

Dulwich Hamlet Tyson joined Dulwich Hamlet in October 1908, having previously played for the Crystal Palace reserve team. His first appearance was on 5 November, against West Ham United in a London Challenge Cup match which was lost 6–0. In the next match, two days later, Tyson scored in a 5–0 victory against Woodford. A contemporary report said of Tyson: "His personality is such as to inspire confidence in the team". in a derby match against Portsmouth on 28 September 1912. In October, Tyson had a run of eleven matches in the absence of Arthur Coates, before being replaced by Ted Salway, followed by a few matches at the end of the season.

Tyson made a total of 14 league appearances plus two in the F.A. Cup in his "Saints" career. Southampton's club historian, Duncan Holley, described Tyson as being "more robust than the average amateur, he was most useful in close quarter tussles and could be trusted to keep a tight grip on opposing forwards". against France in Paris, becoming Dulwich Hamlet's first amateur international player.

In 1921, Alleyn's School honoured Tyson by naming Tyson's House after him. At the school,he taught (French) with great patience and precision. He was a big man but very gentle in his ways. He always had a smile and time to talk, even to the smallest boy in his House. He hardly ever punished anybody. No one thought of taking a liberty with him, he was too much of a gentleman.

During the Second World War, he established the South London Emergency Secondary School which was based within the Alleyn's school buildings, going on to become the school's headteacher. After the war, he continued as housemaster until his retirement in 1947.

Death Tyson died at Harestone Nursing Home, Caterham, Surrey, on 31 October 1964, at age 79.