Solihull’s Superstar Charlie Gets His Royal Appointment

Almost six years to the day, Charlie suffered a severe traumatic brain injury after being hit by a car. The initial prognosis wasn’t good, but Charlie fought back against all the odds.

After spending six months in a coma, he had to learn how to walk, talk, wash and eat again. Since doing that, he’s surpassed all expectations – and more.

Now 21, Charlie has been recognised for his services to young people in Solihull and his father Mark Fogarty - who is also the Director of Sport at Solihull Moors - explained: “Charlie was the catalyst for the creation of our Disability section at Moors.

“He wanted to help those who loved football as much as he does and who don’t get the chance to play and train like everyone else.”

Charlie passed his FA Level One Coaching badge, FA Youth Module One Coaching badge and FA Coaching Disabled Footballers badge, before helping to build the Ability Counts section. This has grown to 40 players of all ages and has five teams playing on a Sunday in the league.

As a player-manager for the first few seasons, Charlie motivated others within the section to take their badges in football and refereeing. Those players now help run the age groups and work for the Moors in their School Programme, Social Inclusion sections and analysis of first-team games.

Now a player for Silhill FC, Charlie still continues to motivate others within the Solihull Moors section and tells his story all over the UK.

Schools, businesses, hospitals and football clubs are just a few places in which Charlie delivers his ‘anything is possible’ speech.

It’s no wonder that he has gone on to become one of the youngest receivers of an MBE.

“It was a fantastic day and experience for the whole family and richly deserved for Charlie,” Mark said as he described the special day.

Charlie was and still is a talented footballer. He was on the books at Birmingham City prior to that life-changing moment.

He says his main aim is to ‘help and impress on people to become the best versions of themselves that they can possibly be.’