Charlie Hurley
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Charles John Hurley | ||
Date of birth | 4 October 1936 | ||
Place of birth | Cork, County Cork, Irish Free State | ||
Date of death | 22 April 2024 | (aged 87)||
Place of death | Ireland | ||
Position(s) |
Centre half | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
1953–1957 | Millwall | 105 | (2) |
1957–1969 | Sunderland | 402 | (23) |
1969–1971 | Bolton Wanderers | 43 | (3) |
Total | 550 | (28) | |
International career | |||
1957–1969 | Republic of Ireland | 40 | (2) |
Managerial career | |||
1972–1977 | Reading | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Charles John Hurley (4 October 1936 – 22 April 2024) was an Irish footballer who mainly played in the
Early life
Hurley was born in Cork, Ireland, and his family moved to in Essex, England, when Charlie was seven months old. He later survived The Blitz, in which one of his best friends was killed, and as a teenager worked as an apprentice toolmaker. His first offer of a football contract was from West Ham but he turned it down as he could earn more for his family by continuing with his apprenticeship. However, at the age of sixteen he did eventually accept a contract offer from Millwall.[4]
Playing career
Millwall
Hurley began his football career at
On 19 May 1957, Hurley made his Irish debut against England in Dublin.
In early October he was sold to Sunderland for a fee of £18,000. He was voted him the 'best ever player' in the Millwall fanzine The Lion Roars prior to the Dockers Day at the New Den in 2007
(All sources in this section from Charlie Hurley – "The greatest centre half the world has ever seen" by Mark Metcalf, published in 2008 by Sportsbooks)
Sunderland
On 26 September 1957, Hurley arrived at Roker Park to begin a career that would span 12 seasons and 402 appearances.
Hurley's Sunderland career had a disastrous start; a 7–0 rout by
It took 124 league and cup appearances for Sunderland before he broke his scoring duck. A 1–1 Boxing Day draw in 1960 against Sheffield United was the first of 43.
Whilst the 1963–64 season was special for Sunderland AFC, resulting in promotion, it was also personally highly satisfactory for Hurley, who came second to Bobby Moore in voting for FWA Footballer of the Year.[5]
In the late sixties, alongside Jimmy Montgomery, Cecil Irwin, Len Ashurst, Martin Harvey and Jim McNab, Hurley formed one of the most notable and most settled back fives in Sunderland's history.
Hurley's last goal for Sunderland came against
In the FA Cup 5th round victory at
In a poll, Sunderland fans voted him player of the century.
Bolton Wanderers
On 2 June 1969, Charlie moved to Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer. He spent three years at Burnden Park and was a well-liked figure in the heart of the defence, so much so that he was given the opportunity to manage the club upon the departure of Jimmy Meadows only to reluctantly turn the chance down because his wife missed living in the South of England.
Managerial career
From 1972 to 1977 Charlie managed Reading F.C.,
References
- ^ "'The King' Charlie Hurley: 1936–2024". Sunderland AFC. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Sunderland legend Hurley dies aged 87". BBC Sport. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Charlie Hurley". Sunderland Association Football Club. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Charlie Hurley Extravaganza Part One". Retrieved 5 December 2011.
- ^ Ryan, Seán (13 February 2007). "Hall of Fame for Charlie Hurley". Irish Independent. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ "Reading Manager History | Past & Present | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ FC, Reading. "The Story of Reading Football Club". Reading FC. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
Charlie Hurley – "the greatest centre half the world has ever seen" by Mark Metcalf, published by Sportsbooks in 2008.
External links
- Charlie Hurley, Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database