At just 23 years old, Charlie Barks has already experienced the highs and lows of football, from signing his first professional contract at Scunthorpe United to rebuilding his career and becoming a key figure at Emley AFC. His journey is one built on passion, resilience, and a deep love for the game that began long before his first club appearance.

“I’ve loved football for as long as I can remember, I was one of those kids who always had a ball at my feet in the garden, in the fields, anywhere I could play.”

Those early kickabouts with his dad were where the dream began: “We’d spend hours practicing drills, passing, and shooting. That’s really where my love for the game came from.”

Charlie joined his first team, Bramley Sunnyside, at just six years old, and it was there his passion truly took off. Despite attending a school that focused on rugby rather than football, he found ways to play whenever possible, even bringing his own football in every day for kickabouts at breaktime. Ironically, his school’s rugby roots also led to another sporting chapter. “I ended up becoming a really good fullback in rugby too,” he says. “When I was in Year 11, I actually had to choose between a scholarship at Scunthorpe United and an offer from Leicester Tigers. It was a big decision, but I followed my heart and chose football.”

After time in youth academies, Charlie found himself back in Sunday League with Worksop Town, a move that reignited his career. “Football can be a tough journey,” he reflects. “Sometimes you’ve got to take a step back before you can move forward.” That patience paid off, he was scouted again by Scunthorpe United, where a successful trial led to a scholarship and, eventually, a professional contract at 18.

“It was a dream come true,” he says. “All the hard work and sacrifices my family and I had made had finally paid off.”

But then came the pandemic. With clubs across the country struggling financially, Scunthorpe released all their first-year pros. “It was devastating,” Charlie admits. “We were the lowest earners, but the club just couldn’t keep us. It was tough, but it taught me a lot about resilience.”

After spells with Frickley and Hemsworth, Charlie joined Emley AFC in 2023. “From day one, I’ve absolutely loved it here,” he says. “The lads, the coaching staff, everyone behind the scenes, they all made me feel welcome. It’s a proper club with ambition and togetherness. You can tell everyone genuinely cares.”

Now in his third season with Emley, Charlie has established himself as a reliable, composed presence at the back. His leadership and defensive consistency have been key to the club’s strong campaign: “This season’s been really positive,” he says. “We’ve put in some great performances and shown what we’re capable of. Every team has tough moments, but the way we’ve reacted says a lot about our character.”

Charlie credits the team’s improved mentality and preparation as major differences from last season: “The standards have definitely gone up across the board in training, matches, and recovery. The gaffer’s been clear about the expectations, and everyone’s bought into it. The new lads have brought great energy and competition too. There’s more belief and hunger now.”

That drive has translated into a remarkable defensive record: “The gaffer mentioned the other day that we’ve got the best defensive record in the country at this level,” Charlie reveals proudly. “As a defender, that’s what it’s all about. Keeping clean sheets, staying solid, and doing your job. It’s something we’re really proud of as a unit.”

Looking ahead, Charlie’s goals are clear both for himself and the team: “As a squad, we’re targeting the play-offs at the very least. We’ve proven we can compete with anyone in this league. Defensively, we’ve been strong, now it’s about turning those performances into more wins.”

Personally, he’s focused on consistency: “I just want to keep contributing, keep the clean sheets coming, stay reliable, and help drive the team forward.”

Ask Charlie what makes Emley special, and his answer comes without hesitation: “It’s the togetherness. Everyone, from the players and coaches to the volunteers and fans pulls in the same direction. You feel part of something bigger than just a football team. The fans have been brilliant, home and away, they always make themselves heard. It gives you that extra energy when you need it most. We really do appreciate it. Stick with us, we’ll keep giving everything for the badge.”

Charlie Barks’ story is a reminder of what football is really about, passion, perseverance, and love for the game. From those early days kicking a ball around in the garden to anchoring Emley’s back line, he’s shown that hard work and belief can carry you through even the toughest setbacks.

For Charlie, the journey’s far from over and if his performances this season are anything to go by, both he and Emley are heading in the right direction.