Jack Charlton

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Charlton spent his entire club career with Leeds United from 1950 to 1973, helping the club to the Second Division title (1963–64), First Division title (1968–69), FA Cup (1972), League Cup (1968), Charity Shield (1969), Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (1968 and 1971), as well as one other promotion from the Second Division (1955–56) and five second-place finishes in the First Division, two FA Cup final defeats and one Inter-Cities Fairs Cup final defeat. His 629 league and 762 total competitive appearances are club records. In 2006, Leeds United supporters voted Charlton into the club's greatest XI.

In Their Own Story

The 1962–63 season began a transformation when Revie dropped senior players to field a young defensive line-up featuring Gary Sprake, Paul Reaney, Norman Hunter, Charlton, and Rod Johnson. Except for Rod Johnson, this backline remained consistent for much of the decade. Charlton took immediate charge of the defence, insisting on a zonal marking system that Revie allowed him to organize. In the 1968–69 title race, Leeds needed a win in their final game against Birmingham City at St Andrew's to secure the championship but could only manage a 3–3 draw. Charlton scored the equalising goal in the 86th minute; still, they could not find a winner. In the 1970 FA Cup Final replay against Liverpool, Roger Hunt opened the scoring for Liverpool in extra time, but seven minutes later, Charlton headed on a cross that allowed Billy Bremner to volley into the net for the equaliser. Although Ian St John scored late to win the game 2–1 for Liverpool, the performance highlighted Charlton's pivotal role in high-stakes matches.

Reader's Guide

Called up to the England team days before his 30th birthday, Charlton went on to score six goals in 35 international games and to appear in two World Cups and one European Championship. He played in the World Cup final victory over West Germany in 1966 and helped England finish third in Euro 1968 and win four British Home Championship tournaments. He was named FWA Footballer of the Year in 1967. After retiring as a player, Charlton worked as a manager. He led Middlesbrough to the Second Division title in 1973–74, winning the Manager of the Year award in his first season as a manager. He kept Boro as a stable top-flight club before he resigned in April 1977. He took charge of Sheffield Wednesday in October 1977 and led the club to promotion out of the Third Division in 1979–80. He left the Owls in May 1983 and served Middlesbrough as caretaker-manager at the end of the 1983–84 season. He worked as Newcastle United manager for the 1984–85 season. He took charge of the Republic of Ireland national team in February 1986 and led them to their first World Cup in 1990, where they reached the quarter-finals. He also led the nation to successful qualification to Euro 1988 and the 1994 World Cup. He resigned in January 1996 and retired. He was married to Pat Kemp, and they had three children.

Did You Know?

• Charlton was born into a footballing family in Ashington, Northumberland, and his uncles included Jack Milburn, George Milburn, Jim Milburn, and Stan Milburn; legendary Newcastle United and England footballer Jackie Milb
• At age 15, he turned down a trial at Leeds United to work in the mines, but later reconsidered and joined Leeds after choosing a trial game over a police interview.
• He made his Leeds debut on 25 April 1953 against Doncaster Rovers, taking John Charles' place at centre-half.
• Charlton's 629 league and 762 total competitive appearances for Leeds United are club records.