Charles M. Burgess

Burgess was the youngest player ever signed by Montrose in 1888 at age 15. He joined his brother Jimmy on the team and played right back. He was a member of the 1891-92 Forfarshire Cup Championship team and according to the HISTORY OF MONTROSE F.C. published by the Simmath sporting series in 1948, played against Ireland in 1892. He was a sporting phenomenon excelling at both football and golf as a youngster and became professional in both sports at an early age. He remained with Montrose for six years before signing with Dundee in1895. After Dundee He went south to play for Millwall in 1898. In May of 1900 he signed on with Newcastle United for one season before joining most likely the strongest team he played for- Portsmouth ,where he played with a host of international stars including C.B. Frye. at the end of the 1903 season Burgess retired from Major league Football at age 28 to return to Montrose to take up his Golf Career in ernest. Nonetheless he continued his football playing days for several more year with his beloved Gable-Endies where he was teamed up with his old friend and friendly competitor Sandy Kiellor as they both finished up Stellar Football Careers.
When he emigrated to America in 1909 He was asked to be the first professional coach of "soccer" at Harvard University. He built up the program quickly and soon Harvard was a powerhouse among American colleges. In 1913 Burgess' team was undefeated and won the Intercollegiate Championship of America. In 1914 the team was the first ever to win back to back national championships. Burgess coached at Harvard until 1921 and in that time produced many more winning teams and dozens of nationally recognized "All-American" players.