John Charles

(0 users)

Thumb
Player blurred out thumb

Image Source: Unknown report

Data Complete 60%

15%

Born
1931-12-27
Shiny National flag

Swansea, Wales

Died
Unknown Date

Position
Forward

Status
Deceased

Ethnicity

Team Number

Height
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)

Outfitter

Kit

Wage Year

Player Cutout
No Cutout thumb

Archive

Player Cartoon

Full Body Render
No Render Icon

Sport

Soccer

Team
_Deceased Soccer

2nd Team

League
_No League Soccer

Creative Commons Artwork
No

Description

William John Charles, CBE (27 December 1931 – 21 February 2004) was a Welsh international footballer who played for Leeds United and Juventus during his 25 year playing career. Rated by many as the greatest all-round footballer ever to come from Britain, he was equally adept as a forward or defender due to his strength, pace, technique, vision, ability in the air and eye for goal. 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. Thus, due to his correct behaviour and tall stature, standing at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m), 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 Stafford Rangers, and has represented Wales at youth level.

0 goals scored in the current 2025-2026 Season

View:

Icons /

Table

Trophies

Italian Serie A	Juventus	1960-1961
Italian Coppa Italia	Juventus	1959-1960
Italian Serie A	Juventus	1959-1960
Italian Coppa Italia	Juventus	1958-1959
Italian Serie A	Leeds	1957-1958

Milestones

No records found

Former Youth Teams

No records found

Former Senior Teams

Leeds	1950-1957	Permanent	-	-
Wales	1950-1965	International	-	-
Juventus	1957-1962	Permanent	-	-
Leeds	1962	Permanent	-	-
Roma	1962-1963	Permanent	-	-
Cardiff	1963-1966	Permanent	-	-
Hereford United FC	1966-1971	Permanent	-	-
Merthyr Town	1972-1974	Permanent	-	-