Charles Griffiths (footballer)

Charles Griffiths (died 15 May 1936) was an English football player and manager. He played in England, and coached in Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands in the early 20th century.

Playing career
Griffiths was born in Rugby and played as an inside-forward for Luton Town and Barrow before joining  Preston North End in 1907. He then made one appearance in the Football League for Lincoln City in 1907. He also played for Oswestry Olympics, Chirk, Oswestry United, St Helens Town, Barnsley, Coventry City, Wellington Town and Wrexham.

Coaching career
In 1910, he worked for Karlsruher FV, during his time with the club, they won the Southern German championship.

In August 1911, he was appointed as the first full-time manager of Bayern Munich, however his time at the club was to last only seven months at the Bavarian club and was dismissed on 6 April 1912. He had however convinced the Bayern board members that a full-time coach was beneficial to the club.

He would go on to manage Stuttgarter Kickers, he won the Southern German championship during his first season with the club and his second season was curtailed due to the breakout of World War I.

Griffiths was part of the coaching staff for the Belgium national team in 1920 when they won the Olympic Games Football at the 1920 Summer Olympics football tournament.

The same article also suggested that he won a Belgian championship with Royale Union Saint Gilloise in 1923.

He managed Dutch club side Vitesse Arnhem between 1920 and 1922 and Be Quick in the 1922 Championship play-off.

In September 1923, he joined Olympique Lillois.

In February 1924, he was appointed as the head coach for the France national team. He was in what was described as a 'federal' position and the team was selected by committee.

He was appointed as manager at Belgian club side Berchem Sport in 1925.

He won the Coupe de France in 1933 whilst manager at Excelsior AC Roubaix, but he soon moved on, returning to his former club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. During his second spell at Union SG, he won the league in three consecutive seasons 1933–1935.

Griffiths died in a hospital in Rugby on 15 May 1936.

Honours
Karlsruhe FV
 * Southern German championship: 1911

Stuttgart Kickers
 * Southern German championship: 1913

RU Saint-Gilloise
 * Belgian First Division: 1922–23, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1934–35