Jack Charlton

3.1.1. Debut and development

Charlton began his career in Leeds United's youth team in the Northern Intermediate League, then progressed to the third team in the Yorkshire League. His physical presence and performance in the demanding Yorkshire League at the age of 16 impressed the club's management, leading to his promotion to the reserve team. He signed his first professional contract upon turning 17.

Charlton made his senior debut on April 25, 1953, against Doncaster Rovers in the final Second Division game of the 1952-53 season. He played at centre-half, replacing John Charles, who had been moved to centre-forward, in a match that ended in a 1-1 draw. His early contributions were limited by two years of national service with the Household Cavalry, during which he captained the Horse Guards to victory in the Cavalry Cup in Hanover.

He returned to the first team in September 1955 and maintained his place for the remainder of the 1955-56 season, helping Leeds secure promotion to the First Division by finishing second. In the second half of the 1956-57 campaign, he was temporarily dropped due to his late-night partying habits. However, he regained his position in the 1957-58 season after settling into married life and becoming more focused. In October 1957, he was selected to represent the English Football League in a game against the League of Ireland.

Leeds struggled after Raich Carter's departure in 1958, facing relegation battles. In 1959-60, they were relegated to the Second Division. During this period, Charlton began pursuing his coaching badges through the Football Association's courses at Lilleshall. The 1960-61 season saw Leeds narrowly avoid another relegation, leading to manager Jack Taylor's resignation. His replacement, Don Revie, initially had reservations about Charlton, even trying him as a centre-forward at the start of the 1961-62 season before moving him back to centre-half. Charlton grew frustrated with the club's stagnation, especially compared to his brother Bobby's success at Manchester United. Revie considered letting him go in 1962, and both Liverpool and Manchester United showed interest, but Leeds' 30.00 K GBP asking price was not met. Despite refusing to sign a new contract initially, Charlton eventually committed to Leeds, promising Revie a more professional approach.

The 1962-63 season marked a new era for Leeds as Revie began to reshape the team. Charlton became the key organizer in defense, implementing a zonal marking system. A new defensive line-up, including Gary Sprake, Paul Reaney, Norman Hunter, and Charlton, became the core of the team for the rest of the decade. With the addition of Johnny Giles in midfield, Leeds mounted a strong promotion challenge, securing the Second Division title in the 1963-64 campaign, finishing two points clear of Sunderland. Other emerging talents included Billy Bremner, Paul Madeley, and Peter Lorimer.

Leeds made an immediate impact upon their return to the top flight in the 1964-65 season, though they also gained a reputation for rough play, which Charlton later admitted made him "uncomfortable." They went 25 games unbeaten before losing to Manchester United, fueling an intense rivalry. Leeds needed a win in their final game to secure the title but drew 3-3 with Birmingham City, with Charlton scoring the 86th-minute equalizer. They gained some revenge by beating Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup semi-final replay. In the final against Liverpool at Wembley, Charlton headed a cross for Bremner to volley in the equalizer during extra time, but Leeds ultimately lost 2-1.

In the 1965-66 season, United finished second to Liverpool in the league and reached the semi-finals of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, their first European competition. They were eliminated by Real Zaragoza in a tiebreaker game after a 2-2 aggregate draw. Charlton was involved in a controversy during a match against Valencia, where he and defender Vidagany engaged in a fight. The 1966-67 season was frustrating, with Leeds finishing fourth in the league and exiting the FA Cup in the semi-finals. They reached the Fairs Cup final but lost 2-0 on aggregate to Dinamo Zagreb. At the end of the season, Charlton was named FWA Footballer of the Year, succeeding his brother Bobby. This award also launched his successful sideline as an after-dinner speaker.

For the 1967-68 season, Charlton introduced a new tactic: standing next to the goalkeeper during corners to prevent them from collecting the ball, a tactic still used today. Leeds finished fourth in the league again and exited the FA Cup in the semi-finals. However, they finally won major honors, beating Arsenal 1-0 in the League Cup final, with Terry Cooper scoring the only goal. They then lifted the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, defeating Ferencvárosi 1-0 on aggregate in the final, securing their first European trophy.

Charlton was instrumental in Leeds securing their first ever Football League title in 1968-69, losing just two games and finishing six points clear of Liverpool. The title was clinched with a goalless draw at Anfield, after which Liverpool manager Bill Shankly famously told them they were "worthy champions."

The 1969-70 campaign began with Leeds winning the Charity Shield 2-1 against Manchester City, and they pursued a realistic possibility of winning the treble (league, FA Cup, and European Cup). However, they missed out on all three. The league title slipped away as Everton built an insurmountable lead. They were eliminated from the European Cup by Celtic (3-1 aggregate loss), including a match at Hampden Park with a UEFA record crowd of 136,505. After two replays to overcome Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals, Leeds lost 2-1 in the replayed final to Chelsea, with Charlton taking responsibility for Peter Osgood's goal due to a momentary distraction.

In the 1970-71 season, Charlton caused controversy by claiming he had a "little black book" of players he intended to injure, though he later clarified he only had a mental list of players he would challenge hard but fairly. Leeds finished second in the league again, setting a record for points for a second-placed team (64 points). They won the last ever Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, defeating Juventus on the away goals rule after a 3-3 aggregate draw. They lost the trophy play-off game 2-1 to Barcelona.

Leeds finished second for the third consecutive time in the 1971-72 season, just one point behind champions Derby County. However, Charlton completed his list of domestic honors as Leeds beat Arsenal 1-0 in the FA Cup final, with Charlton effectively marking Charlie George.

Charlton's appearances were limited to 25 in the 1972-73 campaign due to injury, which he sustained in the FA Cup semi-final against Wolves, ending his season. He announced his retirement after failing to regain fitness for the final. His testimonial match against Celtic raised 40.00 K GBP, of which he received 28.00 K GBP.

3.1.2. Major honours

During his time with Leeds United, Jack Charlton won numerous significant trophies:

• Football League First Division: 1968-69
• Football League Second Division: 1963-64
• FA Cup: 1971-72 (Runner-up: 1964-65, 1969-70)
• League Cup: 1967-68
• Charity Shield: 1969
• Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1967-68, 1970-71

3.1.3. Club records

Jack Charlton holds several club records for Leeds United:

• Most League appearances: 629
• Most total competitive appearances: 762
• League goals: 70

In 2006, Leeds United supporters voted Charlton into the club's greatest XI.

3.2.1. 1966 FIFA World Cup

Days before his 30th birthday, Jack Charlton received his first call-up to the England squad by manager Alf Ramsey, making his debut against Scotland at Wembley on April 10, 1965. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, with Charlton assisting his brother Bobby for England's first goal. Ramsey selected Charlton to provide conservative cover for the more skillful Bobby Moore, ensuring defensive stability. The core defense leading up to the 1966 World Cup remained consistent: Gordon Banks (goalkeeper), Ray Wilson (left-back), Charlton and Moore (centre-backs), and George Cohen (right-back).

Charlton played in all nine England games in 1965, helping England win the British Home Championship. He scored his first international goal on June 26, 1966, in a 3-0 victory over Finland in Helsinki, followed by another headed goal in a 2-0 win over Denmark in Copenhagen.

In the 1966 FIFA World Cup, England started with a 0-0 draw against Uruguay. They then secured 2-0 victories over Mexico and France, with Charlton assisting Roger Hunt in the latter. In the quarter-finals, England defeated Argentina 1-0 in a contentious match where Argentine centre-half Antonio Rattín was sent off. The semi-final saw England face Portugal, winning 2-1 with two goals from Bobby Charlton, despite Jack giving away a penalty that Eusébio converted.

The final was against West Germany at Wembley. West Germany took an early lead, but England fought back. With minutes left in the game, Charlton fouled Uwe Seeler, leading to a free kick from which Wolfgang Weber scored the equalizer, forcing extra time. Geoff Hurst then scored two goals in extra time, securing a 4-2 victory and England's first World Cup title.

3.2.2. International career and statistics

Jack Charlton earned 35 caps for England, scoring 6 goals. He participated in two World Cups (1966 and 1970) and was part of the squad for UEFA Euro 1968, though he did not feature in any matches during the tournament where England finished third. He also contributed to England winning four British Home Championship tournaments.

After the 1966 World Cup, Charlton suffered a foot injury (two broken sesamoid bones) during a 3-2 defeat to Scotland in April 1967. As his career progressed, he occasionally missed England friendly games due to minor injuries, prioritizing important matches for Leeds. In mid-1970, Alf Ramsey included Charlton in the squad for the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. However, Ramsey favored Brian Labone over Charlton, who only played in his 35th and final England game, a 1-0 group stage win over Czechoslovakia. Following England's quarter-final loss to West Germany, Charlton informed Ramsey that he no longer wished to be considered for international duty, a decision Ramsey agreed with.

His international goals are as follows:

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	26 June 1966	Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland		3-0	3-0	Friendly
2	3 July 1966	Københavns Idrætspark, Copenhagen, Denmark		1-0	2-0	Friendly
3	16 November 1966	Wembley Stadium, London, England		5-1	5-1	1966-67 British Home Championship
4	15 April 1967	Wembley Stadium, London, England		1-2	2-3	1966-67 British Home Championship
5	15 January 1969	Wembley Stadium, London, England		1-0	1-1	Friendly
6	10 December 1969	Wembley Stadium, London, England		1-0	1-0	Friendly

4.1.1. Middlesbrough

On his 38th birthday in 1973, Jack Charlton was offered the managerial position at Second Division club Middlesbrough. He famously declined to be interviewed, instead presenting the club with a list of responsibilities that would grant him total control over club affairs. He refused a formal contract, a practice he maintained throughout his managerial career, and accepted a salary of 10.00 K GBP despite the chairman's willingness to pay more. His key stipulations included a gentleman's agreement that he would not be sacked, no board interference in team matters, and three days off a week for fishing and shooting.

Charlton's first actions included repainting Ayresome Park and publicizing the upcoming league campaign to boost attendance. He sought advice from Celtic manager Jock Stein and signed right-sided midfielder Bobby Murdoch on a free transfer. Charlton molded the existing squad into a championship-winning side, notably moving Graeme Souness from left to central midfield and instructing him to play the ball forward. He also created a new role for the extremely fast Alan Foggon, instructing him to run behind defenders to break the offside trap.

Middlesbrough secured promotion with seven games remaining in the 1973-74 season, clinching the Second Division title with a 1-0 win over Luton Town. They won the title by a 15-point margin, a significant achievement at a time when only two points were awarded for a win. Charlton was named Manager of the Year, the first time this honor was given to a manager outside the top flight.

He continued to overhaul the club, dismantling the scouting network to focus on local talent in Northumberland and Durham. His only major signing for the 1974-75 season was former Leeds teammate Terry Cooper. Middlesbrough adapted well to the First Division, finishing seventh, narrowly missing European qualification.

In the 1975-76 campaign, Charlton signed Phil Boersma from Liverpool to replace Murdoch, but Boersma struggled with injuries. The team finished 13th but won the Anglo-Scottish Cup with a 1-0 victory over Fulham. They also reached the League Cup semi-finals, losing 4-0 to Manchester City after winning the first leg 1-0. Opposition teams began to counter Charlton's direct attacking strategy. Despite steady progress, the club's board voted to sack Charlton in July 1976 due to concerns about him overstepping his authority in business deals and choosing the club's strip, but the chairman overruled the decision.

For the 1976-77 season, Charlton tried to sign David Cross as a replacement for the aging John Hickton but refused to pay more than 80.00 K GBP. Middlesbrough finished 12th, and Charlton resigned at the end of the season, believing he had reached his peak with the current squad. He later expressed regret, stating he could have led the club to a league title with two more top-quality players. He applied for the England manager job after Don Revie's departure but received no reply, vowing never to apply for another job again.

4.1.2. Sheffield Wednesday

In October 1977, Charlton took over as manager of Sheffield Wednesday, who were at the bottom of the Third Division. He appointed Maurice Setters as his assistant. They agreed that the best approach for the low-standard but high-work-rate division was to play long balls into the opposition penalty area and recruit tall defenders. He guided the "Owls" to mid-table safety, finishing 14th in the 1977-78 season, though they suffered an embarrassing FA Cup exit to Northern Premier League side Wigan Athletic.

In the summer of 1978, Charlton focused on finding a target man to partner Tommy Tynan, signing 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) Andrew McCulloch from Brentford for 70.00 K GBP. He also signed Terry Curran as a winger, eventually moving him upfront. He replaced goalkeeper Chris Turner with the taller Bob Bolder and further increased the team's height by signing uncompromising centre-half Mick Pickering. The team finished 14th again in the 1978-79 season but made a notable FA Cup run, taking eventual winners Arsenal to four replays before a 2-0 defeat.

For the 1979-80 campaign, Charlton made a major acquisition, signing Yugoslavia international midfielder Ante Miročević for 200.00 K GBP. Despite Miročević's struggles in British winters, he added flair to the team in better weather. Wednesday secured promotion with a third-place finish, and Curran ended the season as the division's top-scorer.

The 1980-81 season saw young talents like Mark Smith, Kevin Taylor, Peter Shirtliff, and Mel Sterland break into the first team. The club comfortably finished tenth in the Second Division. Wednesday pushed for promotion in the 1981-82 season, missing out by just one place and one point under the new three-points-for-a-win system.

In preparation for the 1982-83 season, Charlton signed experienced defender Mick Lyons from Everton. By Christmas, Wednesday were top of the table, but a limited squad, successful cup runs, and injuries to McCulloch and Brian Hornsby saw them drop to sixth place by the season's end. They reached the FA Cup semi-finals, losing 2-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion at Highbury. Charlton announced his departure from Hillsborough in May 1983, despite pleas from the directors.

In March 1984, Charlton returned to Middlesbrough as caretaker-manager until the end of the 1983-84 season, helping steer the club away from the Second Division relegation zone. He took the unpaid role as a favor to his friend Mike McCullagh, the club's chairman. Middlesbrough finished 17th, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

4.1.3. Newcastle United

Jack Charlton was appointed manager of Newcastle United in June 1984, persuaded by his cousin Jackie Milburn. He inherited a team that had just been promoted to the First Division but had lost manager Arthur Cox and key player Kevin Keegan, who had retired. Charlton's first move was to release Terry McDermott. With limited transfer funds, he relied on young talents like Chris Waddle and Peter Beardsley, supplementing the squad with midfielder Gary Megson and striker George Reilly. The "Toon" finished safely in 14th place in the 1984-85 season, with a teenage Paul Gascoigne on the verge of breaking into the first team.

Charlton resigned at the end of pre-season training for the 1985-86 campaign after fans at St James' Park called for his dismissal following the club's failure to sign Eric Gates.

4.2.1. UEFA Euro 1988

Qualification for UEFA Euro 1988 required Ireland to win a group that included Belgium, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, and Scotland. The campaign began with a 2-2 draw against Belgium at the Heysel Stadium, with goals from Frank Stapleton and Liam Brady. They then drew 0-0 with Scotland at Lansdowne Road before securing their first qualification win, a 1-0 victory at Hampden Park with an early goal from Mark Lawrenson.

The campaign faltered with a 2-1 loss in Bulgaria, a result Charlton vehemently disputed, believing both Bulgarian goals should have been disallowed. A 0-0 draw with Belgium in Dublin followed. Ireland then secured four points from two victories over Luxembourg. They concluded the campaign with a 2-0 home win over Bulgaria, with goals from Paul McGrath and Kevin Moran, though Liam Brady received a two-match suspension. Ireland's qualification ultimately depended on Scotland, who delivered a 1-0 victory over Bulgaria in Sofia, keeping Bulgaria one point behind Ireland in the table.

The build-up to Euro 1988 in West Germany was challenging, with key players like Mark Lawrenson, Liam Brady, and Mark Kelly suffering injuries. Ireland's first match of the tournament was against England at the Neckarstadion. Charlton's strategy was to nullify the threat of English wingers Chris Waddle and John Barnes by allowing the English defense to feel comfortable on the ball but denying them passing options, slowing down their build-up play. This game plan worked, and Ireland secured a famous 1-0 victory with an early goal from Ray Houghton.

Charlton then compensated for injuries by deploying Ronnie Whelan and Kevin Sheedy in central midfield, which resulted in a strong performance and a 1-1 draw with the Soviet Union at the Niedersachsenstadion, with Whelan scoring. To qualify for the semi-finals, Ireland needed only a point against the Netherlands at the Parkstadion. Charlton devised a time-wasting plan with goalkeeper Packie Bonner, but it was abandoned due to the referee's disapproval. Ireland lost the game 1-0 after Wim Kieft scored an 82nd-minute goal. Both England and Ireland were eliminated, while the Netherlands and the Soviet Union advanced to contest the final, which the Dutch won 2-0.

4.2.2. 1990 FIFA World Cup

Qualification for the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy required Charlton to guide Ireland to a top-two finish in a group that included Spain, Hungary, Northern Ireland, and Malta. The campaign began with a goalless draw against Northern Ireland at Belfast's Windsor Park, where stand-in goalkeeper Gerry Peyton secured the point. A series of injuries left Ireland with a depleted squad for their match against Spain at the Estadio Benito Villamarín, resulting in a 2-0 defeat. They then earned another goalless draw against Hungary in Budapest, though they were criticized for not taking all points after dominating the game.

The next four fixtures were played at Lansdowne Road, and all ended in victory: a 1-0 win over Spain (an own goal from Míchel), followed by 2-0 wins against Malta and Hungary, and a 3-0 victory over Northern Ireland. Qualification for Ireland's first World Cup was secured at the Ta' Qali National Stadium with another 2-0 victory over Malta, with John Aldridge scoring both goals.

Ireland's group opponents in Italia '90 were England, Egypt, and the Netherlands. Charlton believed England's four-man midfield lacked defensive cover, a prediction that proved correct when Kevin Sheedy canceled out Gary Lineker's opener to secure a 1-1 draw in the group opener at the Stadio Sant'Elia. A poor performance against a defensive Egyptian side at the Stadio La Favorita resulted in a dour goalless draw. They ended the group stage with a 1-1 draw against the Dutch, with Niall Quinn equalizing Ruud Gullit's opener, a result that saw both teams qualify ahead of Egypt.

In the Second Round, Ireland defeated Romania in a match at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris that went to a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw. Following this historic victory, the entire team had a meeting with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.

One of the most iconic moments from Ireland's unexpected success in Italia '90 occurred at Walkinstown roundabout in Dublin on June 25, 1990, after Ireland beat Romania on penalties. Crowds spilled out from nearby public houses, invading the roundabout to celebrate the win. Amateur footage of these joyous scenes became synonymous with Ireland's success that year, epitomizing the sense of hope that prevailed throughout the country, especially after a decade of economic recession. After Charlton's death in 2020, fans gathered at the roundabout to recreate the moment and pay their respects to the past manager.

Ireland's World Cup journey ended in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 defeat to host nation Italy at the Stadio Olimpico. A lapse in concentration allowed Italy's Salvatore Schillaci to score in the 38th minute, and Ireland failed to create enough chances to equalize. Upon their return to Dublin, over 500,000 people turned out to welcome the team back, a testament to the profound impact of their achievement.

4.2.3. 1994 FIFA World Cup

To qualify for the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the US, Ireland needed to finish first or second in a seven-team group that included Spain, European champions Denmark, Northern Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Albania. Matches against Lithuania, Latvia, and Albania proved less challenging, with Ireland securing maximum points from both home and away fixtures. The two most difficult away matches, against Denmark and Spain, ended in goalless draws. A goal by John Aldridge against Spain was controversially disallowed for offside, a decision even Spain manager Javier Clemente believed should have been overturned.

Ireland then defeated Northern Ireland 3-0 at home before drawing 1-1 with Denmark. The qualification campaign faced a setback in the home tie against Spain, as the Spanish took a three-goal lead within 26 minutes, with the game ending 3-1. John Sheridan's late consolation goal in this match proved crucial. The final and decisive game was against Northern Ireland in Belfast, a match played during a tense period of The Troubles. Jimmy Quinn put Northern Ireland ahead in the 74th minute, but four minutes later, Alan McLoughlin scored the equalizer, securing second place in the group for the Republic of Ireland due to their superior goals scored tally over Denmark. The match was marked by heated exchanges, including Northern Ireland assistant manager Jimmy Nicholl shouting "Up yours!" to Charlton's assistant Maurice Setters, to which Charlton responded with "Up yours too, Billy" to Northern Ireland manager Billy Bingham at the final whistle.

In preparation for the 1994 World Cup, Charlton gave first caps to young talents like Gary Kelly, Phil Babb, and Jason McAteer, whom he convinced to join Ireland after McAteer had turned down an approach from the FA to play for the England under-21s. He scheduled challenging pre-tournament matches, and Ireland achieved positive results, beating both the Netherlands and Germany away from home.

Ireland opened the group stage of the tournament with a memorable 1-0 victory over Italy at the Giants Stadium, with Ray Houghton scoring the winning goal in the 11th minute. They then suffered a 2-1 defeat to Mexico at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. During this match, Charlton had a heated argument with an official who prevented substitute John Aldridge from entering the pitch immediately after a teammate had left, leading to Charlton's suspension by FIFA for the final group game against Norway. Ireland qualified for the knockout stage with a 0-0 draw against Norway, a match Charlton watched from the commentary box. In the Round of 16, Ireland faced the Netherlands and lost 2-0, with goals from Dennis Bergkamp and Wim Jonk, the latter resulting from a mistake by goalkeeper Packie Bonner.

For his achievements, Charlton was awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin in 1994 by Lord Mayor Tomás Mac Giolla, becoming the first Englishman to receive the honor since 1854.

4.2.4. Euro 1996 qualifying

Ireland failed to qualify for UEFA Euro 1996, despite a strong start to the group, winning their opening three games, including a 4-0 victory against Northern Ireland. The return fixture against Northern Ireland ended in a 1-1 draw. From that point, the Republic's campaign faltered significantly due to injuries to key players like Roy Keane, Andy Townsend, John Sheridan, and Steve Staunton.

After beating highly fancied Portugal, the Irish then endured an embarrassing 0-0 draw against Liechtenstein (which was Liechtenstein's only point in ten matches), before losing twice to Austria by 3-1 on both occasions. Although they defeated Latvia, Ireland needed to beat Portugal in Lisbon to qualify outright but lost 3-0. They finished second in the group, ahead of Northern Ireland on goal difference, but as the worst-performing runners-up, they had to win a play-off game at Anfield against the Netherlands. Ireland lost 2-0 after a brace from Patrick Kluivert. Charlton resigned shortly after the game, stating in his autobiography that he knew he had "wrung as much as I could out of the squad I'd got - that some of my older players had given me all they had to give."

4.2.5. Impact on Irish football and society

Jack Charlton's tenure as manager of the Republic of Ireland national team had a profound and lasting impact on Irish football and society. He transformed a team that had historically been considered a minor footballing nation into a competitive force on the international stage, leading them to their first major tournaments. His direct, pragmatic style of play, often relying on long balls and strong defensive organization, resonated with the team's strengths and the players, many of whom plied their trade in English leagues.

Beyond the tactical achievements, Charlton fostered an unprecedented sense of national pride and unity across Ireland. The team's success, particularly their run to the quarter-finals of the 1990 FIFA World Cup, captivated the nation and provided a much-needed boost during a period of economic recession. The joyous scenes of celebration, such as those at the Walkinstown roundabout in Dublin, became iconic symbols of national hope and collective identity. Over 500,000 people turned out to welcome the team back to Dublin after the 1990 World Cup, demonstrating the deep connection the public felt with Charlton and his squad.

Charlton also faced criticism regarding the high percentage of British-born players in his Ireland squads, but he consistently defended their eligibility and commitment, arguing that their Irish heritage was legitimate due to their parents or grandparents' emigration. He maintained that these players considered themselves Irish and should not be denied their heritage. His ability to unite players from diverse backgrounds and inspire a nation earned him immense affection and respect, making him a beloved figure in Ireland.