 Gallagher was born in Glasgow in 1940, the son of Irish parents Dan and Annie (née Duffy) from County Donegal.He first played for St. John's (Gorbals) Boys' Guild in 1952, Holyrood Senior Secondary in 1953, before joining Kilmarnock Amateurs in 1955 and Yoker Athletic in 1958.Charlie was a modest player with undeniable talent.