Times Online - Sunday Times
Welsh mourn football legend
Brian Glanville
FOOTBALL is in mourning today following the death of John Charles, the trailblazing Welshman who carved his place in Leeds United folklore before going on to take Italy by storm.
Charles had been in hospital since last month after falling ill while preparing for an appearance on Italian television. He underwent surgery in Italy before being flown home, and passed away yesterday at a hospital in Wakefield, aged 72.
His death was marked by a minute’s silence before yesterday’s Premiership match between Manchester United and Leeds — he was one of the most popular, and successful, players ever to grace the field at Elland Road. But it was in Italy that he really made his mark, scoring 93 goals in 155 matches for Juventus.
Charles, known as the Gentle Giant, was never sent off or booked during his glittering career, which also took in Cardiff and Roma.
A much-loved man, he was probably even more popular in Italy than he was in Wales. Juventus will wear black armbands in their Serie A match against Bologna today as a mark of respect for the man who cost them £65,000 in 1957. Roberto Bettega, the club’s vice-president, led the tributes to Charles. “We are crying for the loss of a great champion and a great man,” he said. “He was a person who represented in the best way the Juve spirit and who personified the sport in the purest and most beautiful manner. The thoughts of everyone at Juventus are with his wife Glenda and the children of the unforgettable Gentle Giant.”
Giampiero Boniperti, a former teammate of Charles at Juventus and now the club’s honorary president, said he was “an extraordinary person, a great friend and a remarkable teammate”.
“Charles was one of the most loyal men I ever met, as well as being a great footballer. He kept the whole squad together; whenever there was a row things calmed down as soon as he was present on the field or in the dressing room,” said Boniperti. “I remember him with enormous affection. There is no longer the man who always did things for the best, a man who offered so much.”
Welsh mourn football legend
Brian Glanville
FOOTBALL is in mourning today following the death of John Charles, the trailblazing Welshman who carved his place in Leeds United folklore before going on to take Italy by storm.
Charles had been in hospital since last month after falling ill while preparing for an appearance on Italian television. He underwent surgery in Italy before being flown home, and passed away yesterday at a hospital in Wakefield, aged 72.
His death was marked by a minute’s silence before yesterday’s Premiership match between Manchester United and Leeds — he was one of the most popular, and successful, players ever to grace the field at Elland Road. But it was in Italy that he really made his mark, scoring 93 goals in 155 matches for Juventus.
Charles, known as the Gentle Giant, was never sent off or booked during his glittering career, which also took in Cardiff and Roma.
A much-loved man, he was probably even more popular in Italy than he was in Wales. Juventus will wear black armbands in their Serie A match against Bologna today as a mark of respect for the man who cost them £65,000 in 1957. Roberto Bettega, the club’s vice-president, led the tributes to Charles. “We are crying for the loss of a great champion and a great man,” he said. “He was a person who represented in the best way the Juve spirit and who personified the sport in the purest and most beautiful manner. The thoughts of everyone at Juventus are with his wife Glenda and the children of the unforgettable Gentle Giant.”
Giampiero Boniperti, a former teammate of Charles at Juventus and now the club’s honorary president, said he was “an extraordinary person, a great friend and a remarkable teammate”.
“Charles was one of the most loyal men I ever met, as well as being a great footballer. He kept the whole squad together; whenever there was a row things calmed down as soon as he was present on the field or in the dressing room,” said Boniperti. “I remember him with enormous affection. There is no longer the man who always did things for the best, a man who offered so much.”
