Planet Swans ArchivesCharles was taken to hospital in Milan on Jan. 6 because of an abdominal aortic aneurysm — a weakening in the wall of the aorta. He remained in hospital after suffering blood and liver problems, and part of his right foot was amputated. Juventus organized a private jet to transfer Charles to a hospital nearer his Yorkshire, northern England, home this month.
Charles was known in Italy as Il Gigante Buono, the Gentle Giant, because he was never booked or sent off by a referee. In tribute to Charles a minute’s silence was observed at today’s Premiership match between Manchester United and Leeds, and both teams wore black armbands.
The 6-foot-2 Charles was Italy’s Player of the Year in 1958 after scoring 29 goals in his first season abroad and helped Juventus to three league titles and two cups in his five years in Turin. In a 1997 poll, Juventus fans said Charles was the best foreign player to ever represent the team, ahead of the likes of Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane.
“John Charles was the complete footballer, a fantastic player,” broadcaster Michael Parkinson told a Leeds United supporters’ Web site. “He was a star. You couldn’t take your eyes off him.”
Charles, who was born in Cwmdu, near Swansea, Wales, started his career as a defender before being converted to a center- forward at Leeds. In the two seasons before his move to Italy he plundered 68 league goals.
After joining Juventus for 65,000 pounds, Charles scored 93 goals in 155 games in Italy’s top league, before returning to Leeds for a short second stint in 1962. He scored three goals in 11 matches before returning to Italy with Roma.
Charles played 10 times for Roma before going back to the U.K. to play for Cardiff, where he lined up alongside his brother Mel. After a stint as player-manager at non-league Hereford United and then Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, Charles hung up his boots at the age of 41 and returned to Leeds, where he ran a pub.
With a first match for Wales at the age of 18, Charles played 38 times for his country, including at the World Cup in 1958, the only time the Welsh qualified. Charles helped the team to the quarterfinals but, injured, had to sit out the 1-0 defeat to future champion Brazil.
“Missing the Brazil match was the biggest disappointment of my career,” he said. “But playing for Wales was always very special for me. I always wanted to pull on the shirt and represent my country. It was an honor.”
Survived by his wife Glenda, and three sons Terry, Melvyn and Peter from his first marriage with Peggy, Charles was awarded the title Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2001, one rung below a knighthood.
“John Charles was a team unto himself, the most effective player I ever saw, the one that made the most difference to the performance of the whole team,” former Leeds teammate Jack Charlton told www.mightyleeds.co.uk. “He could defend, he could play in midfield, he could attack. He was quick, he was a very, very strong runner, and he was the greatest header of the ball I ever saw.”
Swans director Dave Morgan told JackArmy.net “I met John Charles a couple of times – once in the directors box at the Vetch and once when he was given the freedom of the City. He was a very quiet man but one of huge stature. He let his feet and head to the talking for him on the pitch. Our thoughts are with his wife and family and the club will make their own tribute on Tuesday night ahead of the Leyton Orient game”
It is believed that there will be a statue to Charles at the new stadium due to be completed next year and there is little doubt that this should be a memorial to the greatest footballer that Wales has ever produced.
John Charles – may he rest in peace – you will never be forgotten
