An illuminated address conferring the Honorary Freedom of the City and County of Swansea on John Charles CBE 4th March 2002, signed by the Lord Mayor

An illuminated address conferring the Honorary Freedom of the City and County of Swansea on John Charles CBE 4th March 2002, signed by the Lord Mayor Robert Francis-Davies and Chief Executive Mrs Vivienne Sugar, and bearing the Common Seal, the calligraphy arranged in concentric circles and centre by the City Arms, framed & glazed, 61cm., 24in. square; sold with a sheet bearing John Charles's signature (2) appendix John Charles (Leeds United, Juventus and Wales) Lots 22 to 27 William John Charles CBE (27 December 1931 - 21 February 2004), commonly known as John Charles, was a Wales international footballer best remembered for spells with Leeds United and Juventus. Rated by many as the greatest all-round footballer ever to come from Wales, he was equally adept at centre-foreard or centre-back. He has since been included in the Football League 100 Legends and into the Football Hall of Fame. He was never sent-off or cautioned during his entire career, due to his philosophy of never kicking or intentionally hurting opposing players. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches, he was nicknamed by the Italians ''Il Gigante Buono'' - The Gentle Giant. His 1957 signed by Italian club Juventus set a then British record transfer fee of £65,000. The transfer was notable as Charles became one of the first British professional players to be signed for an overseas team. In his five years at Juventus he scored 93 goals in 155 matches, winning the ''scudetto'' (Italian league championship) three times, and the Italian Cup twice. The respect Charles earned from Juventus fans was shown when, on the occasion of the club's centenary in 1997, they voted him to be the best-ever foreign footballer to play for their team. Charles's association with Leeds United led to the West Stand at Elland Road being named ''The John Charles Stand,'' whilst the entrance lobby to the Banqueting Suite attached to the back of the stand contains a bust of John, in memory of all John did for the club. A street near Elland Road has also been named John Charles Way. The city of his birth, Swansea, also made him a Freeman of the City. Charles made his Welsh international debut shortly after his 18th birthday and was the heart of the side which made it to the quarter finals of the 1958 World Cup, the country's only appearance at a World Cup finals. In total for Wales, Charles made 38 appearances and scored 15 goals. Two relatives, Mel Charles (brother) and Jeremy Charles (nephew) also played football professionally and were Welsh internationals. In January 2004, John Charles suffered a heart attack shortly before an interview for Italian television, and required the partial amputation of one foot for circulation reasons before he was returned to Britain. He died in Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, on 21 February 2004.