Charlie Sutcliffe was a Bradford-born goalkeeper, like his older brother, John, who played in the Bolton side that lost the FA Cup final to Notts County in 1894. In 1912, Charlie missed sailing on the Titanic's doomed maiden voyage after catching a cold and the experience may well have remained with him as he was remembered as a bag of nerves in goal and he smoked a pipe prior to kick off to calm himself down.

Charlie made a couple of appearances for Leeds City towards the end of 1918/19, the final season of wartime competition when regular keeper Willis Walker was unavailable. He had gained experience with Heckmondwike, Halifax Town and York City, but had a dismal debut for Leeds.

He played in the Subsidiary Tournament away to Bradford Park Avenue on 5 April and was on the receiving end of five goals without reply. Sutcliffe appeared again in the final game in the same competition on 26 April, keeping a clean sheet as the Peacocks beat Bradford City 3-0.

He then gave a man of the match display in the West Riding Senior Cup final at Valley Parade against Huddersfield Town, denying the Terriers time and again to secure the goalless draw that gave City a second opportunity. In the replay on 24 May, he kept Huddersfield at bay again as Leeds won 2-0 to secure the trophy.

Sutcliffe signed up for Rotherham County in August 1920. He conceded four goals on his debut, though County beat South Shields 5-4. It was his only appearance of the season, but he returned to play in 102 League and Cup games in succession before leaving to join First Division Sheffield United in September 1924.

Going into the season, 33-year-old Harry Gough (another of Leeds City's wartime guests) had been first choice Sheffield keeper, but had been banned by the FA. He had started preparing for his retirement by buying the Railway Hotel licensed premises in Castleford. FA chairman, Charles Clegg, who was also chair of the Blades and a strict teetotaller, ordered Sutcliffe to sell the property. The furious Clegg saw to it that Gough was suspended by the FA and, with Ernest Blackwell also now retired, a desperate Sheffield United were forced to pay a £2,400 fee for Sutcliffe.

He became first choice between the sticks, earning an FA Cup-winner's medal at the end of the season when the Blades beat Cardiff 1-0 at Wembley. Nevertheless, he wasn't considered good enough and Sutcliffe retired in 1926 after United signed Jack Alderson from Crystal Palace for £500.

Sutcliffe died on 18 August 1964.