John Charles, born in Swansea, Wales in 1931, is widely regarded to be one of the greatest all-round footballers ever. He was a true rarity in football, being of world class in both the centre-half and centre-forward positions. Nicknamed the Gentle Giant, he was never cautioned or sent-off in an illustrious career, which saw him score a club record 42 league goals in one season for Leeds United, win three Italian league championships with Juventus, and appear in the 1958 World Cup Finals with Wales.
Charles was spotted by a Leeds United scout and signed for the club at the age of 17. He made his first team debut at centre-half in 1949, and by the following year became the youngest player to be capped by Wales at the age of 18 years and 71 days. In the 1952/53 season he was tried at centre-forward, and plundered 27 goals in just 30 games. But there was even better to come in the following season, the Welshman was unstoppable, finishing top scorer in the league with 42 league goals, still a club record. After helping power Leeds to promotion in 1956 he hit a further 38 goals in the top flight.
Italian giants Juventus were alerted, and duly paid a British record transfer fee of 65,000 pounds to secure the services of Charles in 1957. In his five years at the club he scored 93 goals in 155 league games, winning three Scudettos and two Coppa Italias, and earning a special place in the hearts of the Turin fans. He was also voted Italian Footballer of the Year in 1958 and hailed as the most valuable player in Europe. His legendary status with Juventus was highlighted during the clubs Centenary in 1997 when he was voted the clubs best ever foreign player.
Charles scored 15 goals in 38 appearances for Wales, a tally which would have been far higher but for Juventus's refusal to release their prized asset to play for his country during his prime. The highlight of his international career came in helping his country to progress to the quarter-finals of the 1958 World Cup in Chile, where they beaten by eventual winners Brazil.
Sir Bobby Robson described Charles as 'incomparable', classing him amongst the all-time footballing greats such as Pele, Diego Maradona and George Best, but standing alone as the only footballing great to be world class in two very different positions. He was awarded a CBE in 2001, and became an Inaugural Inductee to the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002. A year later he was selected as the Golden Player of Wales by the Football Association of Wales as their most outstanding player of the last 50 years. John died in Wakefield, West Yorkshire in February 2004, having suffered a heart attack the previous month.
The West Stand at Elland Road was subsequently named 'The John Charles Stand' in his honour, whilst Chairman Ken Bates has had a bust created in his memory. In addition the South Leeds Sports Centre has since been renamed 'The John Charles Centre for Sport'.
