|

John charles

paul collins

Tuesday, December 13th, 2005

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 On the 27th december 1931 in swansea a legend was born William John Charles was his name,
He was one of the all time greats to ever play our beautiful game,
Though he could play at centre half he was often asked to lead his team’s attack,
but in truth big John always preferred it at the back.

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 being world class in both positions put him in a league of his own,
though he was equally at home in either danger zone,
his physique was like that of a greek god and he was an all rounder in anybody’s sport,
For he played rugby, cricket, boxed and would of even been a champion on a tennis court.

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 He made his name at Leeds utd though in 1957 he left and headed for the sun,
for he was off to Juventus where he won 3 scuddettos from 1958 to 1961,
whilst in Italy he was named ll gigante, ii re and to the prince of wales the Juventus fans would sing,
to be fair even their biggest rivals at torino would call big John thier king.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 38 games he played for Wales and 15 times he’d score,
And i guess had he stayed in Britain he’d have had 1 or 2 caps more,
Traveling was very different in the 50’s the transport system back then wasn’t particualy great,
In fact he just about made it to the world cup finals in 1958.

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 He was never booked during his career from 1948 to 1972,
Which is quite extraordinary as his opponents would often kick him black and blue,
His period in Italy was certainly his best but alas in 1962 he made his way back home,
But it was the biggest mistake of his life and after 90 days he was transferred back to Rome.

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 Though John never recaptured those early glory days so he moved this time to Cardiff a year later in 1963,
Where he teamed up with his brother Mel and enjoyed a lifestyle by the sea,
After he retired from the game the King went back to his Swansea roots,
He helped guide the youth team through the ranks because he didn’t want to chuck away his boots.

7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 In 2001 he was awarded the CBE though for his achievments it should have been a Sir,
For at his peak he was second only to the pope in Italy when he was voted Italian player of the year,
Sadly on the 21st Febuary this gentle giant passed away and thousands wept when they said goodbye,
But in truth he was only off to his final game and then he’d R.I.P upon his throne that was waiting for him in the sky.

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/john-charles/