The King

[Robref62]

Never seen him play but was truly one of us.
Genuinely, I had a lump in my throat when I read the news on Safc.com. Like many have said needs a stand named at the SoL at the least

 

[COYCS]

RIP Charlie, great player and very well respected

 

[rooch 3]

Very sad today, he was playing in the first match I went to, my dad would be saying keep your eye on that lad, watch how good he is. RIP.

 

[Dorset]

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[makemdan]

Legend is a word that is overused these days but Charlie Hurley epitomised my idea of a true legend. My first match in1967 was a summer night against Man U and I was amazed at the presence he had on the pitch. He stopped a full power shot from Booby Charlton with his head, knocked him over and out. Back on his feet in 10 minutes and played on.
A very sad day RIP Mr Hurley

 

[ImissedShack]

I missed Shack but I loved to watch Charlie Hurley. Nothing better than seeing Charlie charging forward when we had a corner. Sadly missed.

 

[Fentonpell]

RIP Charlie, a true legend and a gentleman. My first crush (along with a lot of my friends) him and Brian Usher. Those were the days.

 

[Gordon Armstrong]

This one's for Charlie

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[Gil T Azell]

My 1st football hero. RIP big fella.

 

[TheBronzeBummer]

Can someone sort of explain his level to me? He's lauded as our greatest ever player and his presence amongst Sunderland royalty is unquestionable, but what was he like football wise?

 

[Vincemac]

Can someone sort of explain his level to me? He's lauded as our greatest ever player and his presence amongst Sunderland royalty is unquestionable, but what was he like football wise?

I don’t think there is enough room on this board to write about the great man
However in my humble opinion here is my few words
You may of heard of
Jack charlton
Bobby Moore
Mike English
Ron Yeats
John Charles
Well Charlie was about in them times
He was an Eire international with over 400 games for sunderland and was well up with those mentioned infact
It was mooted he was the best centre half in Great Britain
He was the greatest we’ve had

 

[Durham Ranger]

He scored my first Sunderland goal at my first Sunderland game.

Snap! Think I was about 7 or 8 - He scored a bullet header from a corner - and the roar... RIP.

 

[gelders pie]

Snap! Think I was about 7 or 8 - He scored a bullet header from a corner - and the roar... RIP.

Also about 8 - yes the header from a corner iirc. v SheffWeds ??

 

[Hudson92]

The club has put some excellent stuff out for him today, proper lump in the throat stuff this

https://x.com/sunderlandafc/status/1783549282450026683?s=46&t=bFwez-5oi7CdxUG56_1QKg

 

[Durham Ranger]

Also about 8 - yes the header from a corner iirc. v SheffWeds ??

Plymouth - they were near the bottom of the Second Division while we were at the other end - 44,000 there - the vast majority wearing caps - I was in line with the 6 yd box - Charlie was at the apex of this massive pyramid of men - and then the net bulged = the noise.

I was also impressed by the size of George Herds legs - tree trunks - each bigger than me!

 

[TheBronzeBummer]

I don’t think there is enough room on this board to write about the great man
However in my humble opinion here is my few words
You may of heard of
Jack charlton
Bobby Moore
Mike English
Ron Yeats
John Charles
Well Charlie was about in them times
He was an Eire international with over 400 games for sunderland and was well up with those mentioned infact
It was mooted he was the best centre half in Great Britain
He was the greatest we’ve had

I've never heard of Ron Yeats or Mike English, but, Charlton, Charles and Moore of course.

That goes a long way in saying how great he is, didnt Charles going to Juve or something mental.

 

[Vincemac]

I've never heard of Ron Yeats or Mike English, but, Charlton, Charles and Moore of course.

That goes a long way in saying how great he is, didnt Charles going to Juve or something mental.

Yeah John Charles he went to Italy don’t know what team
However Charlie Hurley in my opinion was the best of the lot

 

[clockstander]

Juve and played against us in a friendly at Roker under floodlights a memorable game for many reasons that has been discussed on an earlier thread. Great days .

 

[Vincemac]

Juve and played against us in a friendly at Roker under floodlights a memorable game for many reasons that has been discussed on an earlier thread. Great days .

Yeah mate you’ve seen Charlie more than me and for the few years I saw him he was up there with the very best

 

[FellTop]

My Dad is in his late 80s and not in a good way at the minute. He wont see this until I tell him, tomorrow night. I am dreading it tbh, I know he will understand exactly what I say and will likely have a tear or two. He was a hero for my Dad, along with a few others.

The thing about football players, like Charlie, is they are timeless to so many of us. So I never saw him, but I feel like I know him through my Dad. I am raising a glass, or 2, to his name tonight. I hope I leave a similar feeling with my lads behind on footballers that mean so much to me. These wonderful men, who give us so much joy, will always live on in the memories of those who come after us. Lets keep his memory alive.