Jack Charlton: A tribute

This morning we heard the news that Jack Charlton has sadly passed away and we offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

As a player, Charlton was a one club man and that club was ours.

His debut was against Doncaster Rovers in 1953 and he went on to make a club record 773 appearances for Leeds United, a record that is unlikely to ever be surpassed.

During his incredible career, he scored 96 goals for Leeds and sits ninth on the all-time list of top scorers. What makes this even more remarkable is that he scored all those as a centre back.

As part of the Don Revie team, Charlton formed one of the most formidable defensive partnerships in football with Norman Hunter. They played together for a decade as the team went on to win all before them.

Big Jack, as he was affectionally know, was also part of the elite group of footballers to have won a World Cup. A member of Alf Ramsey’s team in 1966, Charlton played all 6 of the games in the successful campaign along with his brother Bobby. 

After his playing days were over, Charlton went into management with Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle. He then went on to become Republic of Ireland manager in 1986 and transformed the team over a period of 10 years. One of the highlights been reaching the quarter finals of the 1994 World Cup in the USA. 

We were not fortunate to watch him play, but you only have to listen to those who did to know that Jack Charlton was one of the greatest English footballers of all time.

His name will ring around Elland Road again, when we can all go back and pay tribute properly to him, along with Norman Hunter and Trevor Cherry.

He will forever be a Leeds United legend.

Rest in Peace Jack Charlton.