Jack Charlton is adored in Ireland, but he is held in equally high esteem in the city of Leeds. While Charlton originally hailed from the North-East of England, it was in Yorkshire that he made his name.
Joining Leeds as a 15-year old, he would go on to spend his entire playing career with the club.
In his first season as a regular, he helped the club achieve promotion from the Second Division in 1956. They would stay in the top flight for four seasons, but it was during his second spell in the First Division that Leeds would experience a golden age.
They won the league in 1969, as well as the FA Cup, a League Cup, and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups. In truth they could have won much more, finishing as runner-ups in the league on five occasions between 1965 and 1972. They also lost three FA Cup finals.
There is also the small matter of Charlton's World Cup medal and a Football of the Year award in 1967.
The new of Jack's passing was greeted with an outpouring of grief in Leeds, and there was always going to be some touching tributes to the former defender before their fixture at Swansea this afternoon.
The Leeds players wore tops sporting 'RIP Big Jack' for their warm-up, while a minute's silence and a minute's applause were also held before kick-off.
Leeds players wearing shirts with 'RIP Big Jack' for their warm-up.#lufc
— Graham Smyth (@GrahamSmyth) July 12, 2020
🤍 RIP Big Jack! pic.twitter.com/iHuk3vZkeb
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 12, 2020
1️⃣5️⃣ minutes to go! Watching the game live on LUTV? pic.twitter.com/zgLtFdhRrW
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 12, 2020
After a minute's silence and a minute's applause for Jack Charlton, we're underway. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 12, 2020
Leeds and Swansea players pay tribute to Jack Charlton with a minute’s silence at the Liberty Stadium. pic.twitter.com/ukMi8VAELu
— Phil Blanche (@philblanche) July 12, 2020
🙏 A minute’s silence for Jack pic.twitter.com/GVEJna9kH2
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 12, 2020
A Leeds legend.
RIP Jack Charlton. A Leeds United legend 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/JeYyJlvlEY
— Barry O'Mahony (@barryomahony_9) July 11, 2020
