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Soccer

"He never bought a drink!" | John Giles on 'best' defender Jack Charlton

John Giles has been fulsome in his praise of Jack Charlton during his look back at Leeds United's...



Soccer

"He never bought a drink!" | John Giles on 'best' defender Jack Charlton

John Giles has been fulsome in his praise of Jack Charlton during his look back at Leeds United's all-time best XI.

Giles joined Off The Ball on Thursday night to discuss the greatest to have graced Elland Road and Charlton - Leeds' record appearance-maker - was deeply well-regarded.

"I'd say Jack was the best centre-half in that division for five years," said Giles.

"Jack was a good header of the ball, he read it quite well and was deceptively quick. He was a big, lanky fella that could cover the ground well.

"I think he was the best centre-half for at least five seasons.

"He was very quick, if there was a ball down the line it was seldom that he was beaten for pace. Jack was good on his left and right."

High praise, indeed - and regard that led Charlton to being a mainstay of the England side that won a World Cup on home soil in 1966. Success did not change Charlton, as Giles was quick to explain.

"He never, ever bought a drink! It never changed him," said Giles before saying he well believed the old tales of Charlton paying for everything with a cheque when managing Ireland.

"A couple of lads warned me when I first got there: 'Be careful when you go out, Jack will tap you up!'

"He did and he never paid it back! Jack would come up to you saying 'do you have a fiver on you?'

"You would have a look and say 'No, I don't, Jack,' - he would always catch the new guys!"

It was still enough for Jack to make the final cut for Giles' all-time XI - which you can find here.

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