HE was a hero of the skies in World War I.

And to Huddersfield Town fans, Charlie Wilson became another type of hero.

His 57 Football league goals in just 99 games helped the club become the top team in the country.

Town, under Herbert Chapman, won the Football League three times in a row in the early 1920s.

Now Charlie Wilson’s football past is to come up for auction – and two of his Town Championship medals are included in the auction.

The collection of medals awarded to Wilson for his achievements both on and off the pitch looks set to be the star lot at Staffordshire auction house Cuttlestones’ May 30 Fine Art sale.

Charlie Wilson was born in the Derbyshire town of Atherstone in 1895 and, in addition to making his mark on the football field, was a decorated war hero.

After surviving the first world war as an RAF bomber pilot, Charlie signed for Tottenham Hotspur, helping them to Division II success with 27 goals before reaching the pinnacle of English football by being a key player in Herbert Chapman’s 1920s Huddersfield Town side.

Charlie’s 1923 and 1924 winners’ medals will be coming under the hammer along with a host of the player’s other awards.

He finished his career at Stoke city where he was again successful, this time helping them to the Division III Northern title.

During his career Charlie’s goal scoring prowess marked him out at each club he played for – at Tottentham he scored 27 goals in 55 league appearances, at Town he notched up 57 goals in 99 games and at Stoke City he netted 110 goals in 156 appearances.

What makes the collection so special is its rarity, as Cuttlestones’ head auctioneer and managing director Ben Gamble explains.

“There’s no doubt Charlie was a star on and off the pitch – his medals were accrued at a time when football squads numbered only 12 or 14 players, unlike the mammoth squads of today, so every medal is one of very few ever presented.

“While such rare football medals and memorabilia are likely to cause a stir among supporters, we are also anticipating interest from militaria collectors for the bombing medals.

“Charlie completed not the usual one but two bombing tours, and is one of very few to have been recognised for such a feat.”

For sale details ring 01785 714905.