After joining from Lancashire League's Stockport County, utility defender Charlie Wilson made a single appearance towards the end of the 1897/98 season but only seven more the next season. He became more established in 1899/1900 when he played in 22 of the 34 first division fixtures. The highlight of his career was no doubt winning the first division title in 1901 where he featured in 26 out of 34 league games. His playing style was so described by the club programme from 26 November 1904: "A sturdy, vigorous, and well-built youth, he plays football with all the energy he possesses, and his very exuberance of vitality is often mistaken for roughness by biassed individuals."

The night before Liverpool were due to play Middlesbrough on 28 February 1903 Wilson dreamt that he would break his leg and told his comrades on the way to the game that he was worried it might come true. Only a minute had passed of the Boro game when Wilson broke his leg! He returned eight months later but only played nine times for Liverpool in two seasons after that. The club programme from 15 December 1906 reflected on what could have been: "Before he broke his leg Wilson was a sound centre half, who studied the game, and played it accordingly. Indeed, there are many who think that he would have disputed pre-eminence with the great Raisbeck himself but for the unfortunate accident which practically stopped his First League career. He can score goals, and his offensive work was always splendid. Especially dangerous was he when corner kicks were taken. The juniors can learn much from Wilson if they will. He is bulky now, and must be one of the weightiest men playing in Combination football."

Wilson's final appearance for Liverpool's first team came against Bolton Wanderers on 1 April 1905, but he stayed on at the club working as a scout and trainer at Liverpool until 1939.