As a young boy I had the privilege to watch him play for Hereford Utd against my local team Bangor City in around 1970. I have never forgotten the experience. I a young boy of 11 he about 40 years, standing 6 feet 2 inches nicknamed by the Juventus fans "Il Ginante Buono" -The Gentle Giant, he was never cautioned or sent off during his entire career, due to his philosophy of never kicking or intentionally hurting opposing players. He was reaching the twilight years of his career and didn't look the fittest of players, but he spent the majority of the game in the centre circle controlling mid-field and supplying his forwards with the most sublime of passes, it was the first time I had seen a a pure class act! RIP John Charles CBE
There's a great story of a Juventus Turin local derby where Charles rounded a defender who then fell awkwardly and as Charles measured his shot to pass the keeper stopped and pushed the ball out of play. He had realised the defender was badly injured and turned round to assist him, which he did. That night at home he realised he had lots of people in the street outside his house. He was worried that there was going to be some trouble. When he went outside to confront them he found there was a huge crowd of Torino and Juventus fans who had come to pay homage to this sporting giant.
8th but pretty much exactly what i said, did weirdly come in for late money into 10s. Looked like they was just giving it a easy run,i know the prick will win about 3/1 in a week or two while i'm on holiday and i'll miss it. Sod it
Just noticed it's now raining at both Goodwood and Chepstow - jockeys out on the track any time now and racing abandoned no doubt. What the jump jockeys must think when they see the flat Jockeys group out inspecting the track after a shower!
