Alfred Chalkley

Who is Alfred Chalkley?

Alfred Chalkley was an English association football player who played as a full-back for West Ham United.

Chalkley, brother of West Ham centre-half George and Dartford left-back Charlie, was born in Plaistow in east London. He played schoolboy football as an outside-left, and was capped for England Boys against Scotland in 1917, although he served with the Army during World War I and later became a steel erector.

Chalkley signed pro forms with West Ham after impressing in a trial game during the 1931–32 season. He made his Division One debut on 29 August 1931, a 1–0 away loss against Bolton Wanderers in front of 12,000 people. Two days later, he experienced a home crowd of 35,000, and a 3–1 win against Chelsea. He went on to make 202 League and cup appearances for the Irons, and was an ever-present during the 1934–35 season. His only goal came against Manchester City on 2 March 1932, a clearance from his own penalty area that somehow managed to clear City 'keeper Len Langford.

Chalkley represented the London FA in a game against Belgian team Diables Rouges, and also played for the London Combination three times.