Charlie had spades thanks to chap in plot (7)

I believe the answer is:

catesby

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'chap in plot' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'charlie had spades thanks' is the wordplay.
'charlie' becomes 'c' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'had' becomes 'ate' (e.g. I had an ice cream).
'spades' becomes 's' (abbreviation in card games).
'thanks' becomes 'by' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'c'+'ate'+'s'+'by'='CATESBY'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.

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