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A one club man - and a one man awkward squad. That was Jack
Charlton - big brother of Bobby and one of the greatest central
defenders to have played the game. Early on in his career, his firmly
held opinions and attitude did not make for a good relationship with
the management, but under Don Revie he blossomed. He finally won
international recognition in 1965, going on to be a crucial part of
the 1966 World Cup-winning team and picking up a total of 35 caps and
the 1967 Footballer of the Year award. He recognised that he had
needed a bit of a kick up the backside to spur him on - in 1967, he
said: "After following in the footsteps of my uncles Jack George and
Jimmy Milburn to Elland Road just after I left school in Ashington I
was scarcely a model of what a young player should be... I had my own
ideas and I am afraid they did not always coincide with the methods of
the men in charge. Don said: 'You ought to be ashamed of
yourself. Instead of playing centre-forward in the reserves with your
ability you should be playing centre-half for England.' My career
should be a warning to every young lad who comes into the game. With
everything in my favour... I still managed to get off the rails and
waste many valuable years before I got on the right track."
As a player, his longevity was impressive and he was nearly 37 when
he picked up his FA Cup winners medal in 1972. Age was catching up
with him, and after a further year at Leeds, he retired from the
field of play.
As a manager, Big Jack enjoyed success with Middlesbrough, getting
them promoted to Division 1, he did well at Sheffield Wednesday, but a
move back to the North East to manage Newcastle didn't get off to a
great start. The fans didn't like it, dished out the abuse and Jack
decided he didn't need it, so he walked away. He was a controversial
choice to take over as manager of the Republic of Ireland, but enjoyed
immense success with a simple game and an assiduous scanning of
players' birth certificates. For making the best of limited resources
and doing it in such good spirit, he was runner-up in World Soccer's
Manager of the Year poll in 1988.
Buy this
excellent biography of Jack Charlton and that other famous brother of
his at Amazon now!
Jonathan Sethna says: 14th March 2003. Really excited at the
moment, I work in London SE1. Was on the phone and looked out and big
Jack walked past. I simutaneously waved and he waved back. Wicked,
the mans a legend.
Ann S. Allridge, Republic of Ireland says: I'm a member of the
Western Front Association, and have just received the September copy
of our magazine "Stand To!" Please beg, borrow or steal a copy - Jack
Charlton's double is the sergeant on the front cover, leading a group
of East Lancs. soldiers through the village of Metz-en-Couture in
January 1918! Great memories of Jack as Ireland's Soccer Manager!
What a character.
Dave Wilson says: I saw him in Marks and Spencers in Newcastle once
- the man is huge!
Dean Walker says: i met jack charlton during bob a job week whilst
i was a cub scout, around 1968 i went to his cloths shop which he had,
in harehills lane. myelf and andrew balmforth were to white wash his
celler. for some reason or another it never happened but i have always
been a great fan of the old giraffe
Dave Powell says: First Leeds Match I saw was at Wolves around 1970
Big Jack got his nose broken but carried on playing with blood down
his shirt. That is typical of the way he played, always 100%
Ian says: Never saw him play live, but saw him on the train to York
today - 20/04/2004
John {Jack} Charlton says: I only learned of Jack Charlton from Our
Security Officer at Mt. Bachelor, Oregon U.S.A.. My name is Jack
Charlton, and I have a Brother Rob {"Bob"}, so I was intreaged. I am
of Scottish, Irish, and English background, and my ancestors were Sea
Captains, {or at least one of them!} who came to America to
settle. hope to visit some day, and find Family in Great Briton.
bill stevenson says: as a celtic fan i travelled down for jacks
testomonial game, i think it was a draw 2-2 does anyone know the
number of celtic supporters at that game, i remember a massive support
and would love to know how many travelled down
Ste says: He might have been crazy but GOOD! we like 'em crazy!
World cup winner, geordie Leeds fan - say no more.
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