John Charles

William John Charles, CBE (27 December 1931 – 21 February 2004) was a Welsh international footballer who played for Leeds United and Juventus. Rated by many as the greatest all-round footballer ever to come from Britain, he was equally adept at centre-forward or centre-back. Due to his height, physique, and strength, he excelled in the air, although he was also a prolific goalscorer with his feet, due to his powerful and accurate shot. Despite his size, he was also a fast player, who was gifted with good technical ability and passing ability, which allowed him both to score and create goals. He has since been included in the Football League 100 Legends and was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame.

He was never cautioned or sent off during his entire career, due to his philosophy of never kicking or intentionally hurting opposing players. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches, he was nicknamed Il Gigante Buono – The Gentle Giant.

His brother, Mel Charles and nephew Jeremy Charles, also represented Wales. His grandson, Jake Charles, currently plays for Huddersfield Town, and has represented Wales at youth level.

John Charles (doctor)

Sir John Charles (26 July 1893 – 6 April 1971) was the tenth Chief Medical Officer.

He qualified in medicine at Durham in 1916 and was appointed Assistant Medical Officer of Health for Newcastle Upon Tyne in 1928. He moved to London in 1944 as Deputy Chief Medical Officer where he assisted with the planning of the National Health Service.

He was appointed Chief Medical Officer in 1950 and retired in 1958. He devoted considerable attention to the development of the World Health Organisation for which he continued to work after his retirement.

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John Charles (footballer, born 1942)

John Charles (born 21 September 1942) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

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John Charles (English footballer)

John W. Charles was an English professional footballer. He spent his entire professional career at Blackpool in the early 1900s, making over 200 Football League appearances for the club. He played as a midfielder.

Blackpool

Crook-born Charles made his debut for Blackpool in the opening game of the 1912–13 season — a 1–1 draw at Grimsby Town. He went on to be ever-present in the club's 38 league games and two FA Cup ties against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. He scored four goals in the league and both of the club's two goals in the FA Cup (the first in a 1–1 draw that took the tie to a replay; the second in a 6–1 defeat).

The following season, 1913–14, Charles made 31 league appearances and scored seven goals.

In 1914–15, he made 35 league appearances and scored six goals, five of which came in the final seven games of the campaign.

Four seasons of inter–war football ensued, after which, in 1919–20, Blackpool had appointed their first full-time manager in Bill Norman. Charles found himself alternating between the right and left flanks as he made 27 league appearances and scored four goals (including the only goal of the game in a victory over Bury at Bloomfield Road on 2 April. He also scored in their 4–1 FA Cup first-round replay victory at Derby County on 14 January.

John Charles (footballer, born 1935)

John Charles (29 September 1935 – 21 June 1995) was a former Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

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John Charles (footballer, born 1944)

John William Charles (9 September 1944 – 17 August 2002) was a footballer who played for West Ham United as a defender. Nicknamed ″Charlo″, Charles was the first black player to represent England at Under-18 level and became the first black player to play for a first division West Ham United side when he made his debut in 1963.

Early life

Charles was born in Ordnance Road, Canning Town. The family later moved to Ronald Avenue and he attended Pretoria School. He was the second youngest of nine children. His younger brother Clive also played for West Ham and went on to coach the US National Soccer Team. His mother, who was white, came from Silvertown and his father was a merchant seaman from Grenada.

Football career