Jack CharltonBig J's Hook

John ‘Jack’ Charlton, OBE, DL, was born in Ashington, Northumberland, 8 May 1935.

Big Jack played his whole career for Leeds United in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. He made a club record 773 appearances and was an integral part of the successful side who won the league championship in 1969, FA Cup in 1972, League Cup in 1968 and two Fairs Cups in 1968 and 1971. In 2006, Leeds United supporters voted Charlton into the club's greatest ever XI.

He won 35 national caps and played in every England game during their successful 1966 World Cup campaign.

Charlton later became a manager of both domestic and international sides. In his first season as a manager, he led Middlesbrough to the Second Division title and was voted Manager of the Year in 1974. In the late 1980's, he took charge of the Republic of Ireland national team and led them to their first major international tournament Euro ’88. In addition, he led them to qualify for for two FIFA World Cups.

He stepped down as manager of the Republic of Ireland team in 1995 and within a year was awarded honorary Irish citizenship.

His other passion, fishing, is extremely well documented.

‘The Irish job was something that had to be sorted out.’
Jack Charlton

‘We never had a huge squad and we never had a great deal of choice. But in many ways that helps because you've got to make do with what you've got. You don't have too many problems about picking the team you just hope that everyone turns up on the day.’
Jack Charlton