John ‘Jack’ Charlton might be better remembered as a footballer and football manager than a stalker, fisher, and shotgunner - he was part of the 1966 England side that won the World Cup and went on to manage the Republic of Ireland national team - but he was first and foremost a field sportsman. He died at the age of 85 just a couple of weeks ago at the time of writing.
John ’Jack’ Charlton 1935-2020
Despite having four professional footballing uncles, accounts of his early life indicate it was no sure thing he would follow them into the glorious game; born into a northern mining family, football was a viable career path for those with the talent for it, but it was not the route to riches then that it is now - it was simply another job. Despite his younger brother taking an offer at Manchester United, when Jack was made an offer by Leeds United he deliberated, first doing a stint in the mines and two years of National Service before eventually taking a place at the club at which he would spend his whole footballing career and become one of the greats.