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Jack Charlton
| Category: | Male Player |
| Year Inducted: | 2005 |
Profile by Robert Galvin, the author of Football's Greatest Heroes, the official book of the National Football Museum Hall of Fame:
Jack Charlton cut an unmistakable figure: as a defender for Leeds United and England and a manager at club and international level, everyone knew ‘Big Jack'.
Tall, with an unusually long neck, gangly, loud and outspoken, Charlton always stood out. Even Pope John Paul II recognised him: ‘Yes, I know who your are: you're the boss,' the Pontiff said on meeting the then Republic of Ireland manager in 1990.
As a player Charlton was a late developer. The prospect of his England debut in 1965 – at the age of 29 - generated little enthusiasm. As Bobby Moore said: ‘Well, Jack didn't seem to look much like an England player, but appearances can be deceptive.'
In the uncomplicated and competitive Charlton, Alf Ramsey had belatedly found the ideal partner for the stylish Moore. ‘You're a good tackler, Jack, and good in the air, and I need those things,' Ramsey told him. ‘I know that as soon as Bobby goes upfield with the ball, you will always fill in behind him as cover.'
Charlton played in 26 of the next 27 internationals, including all six World Cup matches in 1966. England lost only three of the 35 games he played, and in one of those matches, he broke his toe.
Perhaps his most significant contribution came against Portugal in 1966. ‘He was embroiled in a titanic struggle for aerial superiority with Torres, the giant Portugal forward in the semi-final,' Gordon Banks recalled. Charlton won that battle. His brother, Bobby, said: ‘Jack played what I consider to be his best game for England.'
Bill Shankly, who twice attempted to sign Charlton for Liverpool, rated him ‘the best English centre-half I've ever seen'. Gradually, others came to share Shankly's opinion: in 1967 Charlton was voted Footballer of the Year.
Over a 20-year career, Charlton made a club record 773 appearances for Leeds, before retiring in 1973, at the age of 37. Such longevity hardly seemed possible in his early days at Elland Road.
Initially, Don Revie was far from alone in regarding Charlton as surly, disruptive, divisive and undisciplined presence in the dressing-room. ‘You've got a chip on your shoulder,' the manager told him.
‘He was right,' Charlton acknowledged years later. ‘I was a bit of a one-man awkward squad in my early days.'
But, significantly, Revie also saw Charlton's potential. Once his attitude improved, so did his form. ‘If you keep on like this, you'll play for England,' Revie told him.
‘Jack turned it round for himself,' Johnny Giles said. ‘He was outstanding: always competing and getting his foot in when it mattered.'
Leeds United won promotion as champions in 1963-64, the start of a decade of consistent success. In addition to his strength at the back, Charlton was a threat at set-pieces. His favourite trick involved standing in front of a goalkeeper on the goal-line.
As Shankly predicted, Charlton also thrived in management, guiding Middlesbrough to promotion in 1974, when he was voted Manager of the Year. Later, his belief in direct football helped the Republic of Ireland qualify for the World Cup in 1990 and 1994. ‘He gives a straight answer to a straight question,' Shankly once said, ‘and that's always a good sign.'