Charlton retired from football in 1995, and now concentrates on 'after dinner speaking' (he is considered to be a highly entertaining sporting raconteur!) and TV work, including programmes on his favourite pursuits of field sports and fishing.
In 1952, Jack Charlton signed for Leeds United and spent the next 21 years with the club as a player. He was a loyal, 'one club player', never being 'transferred' throughout his playing career. Whenhefirst
Jack Charlton was considered to be one of the greatest central defenders, but he was 30 years old before he won his first England cap in 1965, against Scotland at Wembley. He established himself in the English defence alongside captain Bobby Moore. Alf Ramsey told Charlton, "You're a good tackler Jack,
Jack's brother Bobby was 2 years younger, and became one of the most famous players in the world. When Bobby and Jack played for England in the 1966 World Cup, it was the first time that two brothers had played in the national team. Bobby and Jack Charlton were nephews of Jackie Milburn (1924-1988), the legendary Newcastle United player of the 1950s.
John 'Jack' Charlton was born at Ashington in Northumberland in 1935. Ashington was a coal mining village and, before going into professional football, Jack worked briefly as a miner when he left Hirst Park school in Ashington.
When I met Jack Charlton, he was at the NEC in November 2005, along with some other members of the England 1966 World Cup winning team. In the photograph below, you can see him adding his signature on to my England football shirt.
Charlton won an FA Cup winners' medal with Leeds in 1972 but the following year, aged 38, he retired as a player. He played 772 matches for Leeds and scored 95 goals.
It was natural for 'Big Jack' to go into football management and he successfully took over firstly Middlesborough and then Sheffield Wednesday, gaining promotions with both teams. The fans didn't take to him when he took over Newcastle United in 1983 and he left within the year.
Charlton was the controversial choice of manager for the Republic of Ireland national team in 1986, but he was amazingly successful with his limited resources. The Irish team qualified for the World Cup finals in 1990 and 1994, famously beating the Italians in 1994.
after Leeds beat Arsenal in 1972
Jack Charlton with the FA Cup
Jack Charlton (centre) at Middlesbrough
Jack is married, with 2 sons and a daughter.
Jack Charlton was awarded the OBE in 1974 for his services to football, and has been the subject of several books including Jack Charlton: The Autobiography, Jack & Bobby by Leo McKinstry and Go Fishing with Jack Charlton, a book to accompany his TV series on Channel 4.
Jack Charlton, new manager
of the Eire football team
Jack Charlton & Gordon Banks fail to prevent West Germany's first goal
Jack Charlton in 1956
Jack Charlton holds the Jules
Rimet trophy after the Final
Jack (left) & Bobby Charlton
Jack Charlton signs my England shirt
OBE
shirt autograph
Jack Charlton
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Jack, and good in the air, and I need those things." Charlton played 35 games for England, andwas
and was on the losing side in only 2 of them (Austria in 1965 & Scotland in 1967).
When he first joined Leeds, his undisciplied, outspoken and disruptive attitude caused problems for the management, but, under manager Don Revie, things were eventually sorted out.