The Far Post Header ‘Hall of Fame’ No.8 – John Charles
‘The Gentle Giant’ John Charles was always going to feature in this Hall of Fame. He is considered by many as one the finest British players of all-time.
Charles could play as either Centre-Half or up front as a Centre Forward, equally adept in both positions.
The Welshman began his career professional career at Leeds United, joining the club at the age of 17. In his early days, he played in a few different positions across the defensive line for the reserve team.
A chance to finally play for the first team came up on 19th April 1949, when Leeds played in a friendly against Scottish side Queen of the South.
Charles played in the centre-back role, impressing opposing forward Billy Houliston. When asked about Charles, his marker for the match, the striker said that he was the best centre-half that he had played against.
His first cap came against Northern Ireland came a year later, shortly after his 18th birthday. Two years of National Service followed between 1950 and 1952, before he returned to play regularly for the United first team.
Charles returned to play at the back but was moved forward in October 1952 and promptly scored 11 goals in 6 games.
Over the next few years, Charles remained prolific in front of goal as he scored 150 league goals in eight seasons. He picked up the captain’s armband in 1955 and in the 1955/56 season (his first as club captain), Leeds were promoted to the First Division.
Charles certainly lived up to his nickname of ‘The Gentle Giant’ as he was never booked or sent off in his 25 years in the game. Coming from an era when the game was a lot more physical, his exceptional disciplinary record is all the more remarkable. Players at the time thought nothing of kicking an opponent up in the air or to land a punch or two.
Juventus came in for Charles, paying a British record of £65,000 to bring him over to Italy in the summer of 1957. He scored the winning goal for Juve in his first three matches. Talk about making a good first impression!
The good form continued and at the end of the season he had a Serie A winner’s medal to show for his efforts. He had finished as the league’s top goalscorer with 28 goals and was voted as the Player of the Season. Wales had qualified for the 1958 World Cup, which was due to be played in Sweden. It was a certainty that Charles would feature for the Welsh.
The Welsh reached the Quarter Finals of the tournament, where they faced Brazil. Charles had picked up an injury in the previous match, a Group Stage Play Off match with Hungary. The Welsh narrowly lost to Brazil by a single goal, scored by a 17 year old Pele. This was the last time that Wales had qualified for the World Cup.
Charles would stay at Juve for five years, scoring a hugely impressive 108 goals in 155 matches. He finished third in the 1959 Ballon D’Or, finishing behind winner Alfredo De Stefano and runner-up Raymond Kopa, who had won the award the year before.
Juventus would win three Serie A titles as well as two Italian Cups in the five years that Charles was playing in Turin.
Leeds United’s manager Don Revie came in for Charles and signed him for a club record of £53,000 in 1962. His time at the club was less successful than his first spell at Elland Road as he struggled to adapt back to English football. He had only played eleven times in England before AS Roma came in and offered £70,000 for his services. AS Roma came in and offered £70,000 for his services.
After spending a year in the Italian capital, Charles moved back to his native Wales and signed for Cardiff City. From there, he spent his last few playin days as Player-Manager of both Hereford United and Merthyr Tydfil.
Charles is Leeds United’s second-highest goalscorer of all-time, second only to Peter Lorimer who scored 238 goals in his time at Elland Road.
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