Career
Born in Craigneuk, a suburb of Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, Charnley played for Burnbank Athletic before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers of the Football League Second Division in January 1925. After making 55 appearances in total, scoring once, he joined Midland League team York City in August 1928. He captained York in the 1928-1929 season, which was to be their last in the Midland League before being elected to the Football League.
He left after making 55 appearances and scoring five goals to join Dartford in June 1929.
He joined Kettering Town in September, before returning to Scottish football in May 1931.