1. Charles John Hurley was an Irish footballer who mainly played in the centre half position.
16 Facts About Charlie Hurley
1. 2.
Charlie Hurley ended his playing career at Bolton Wanderers and was later manager of Reading.
3.
Hurley was born in Cork, Ireland, and his family moved to in Essex, England, when Charlie was seven months old.
4.
Charlie Hurley later survived The Blitz, in which one of his best friends was killed, and as a teenager worked as an apprentice toolmaker.
5.
Charlie Hurley's 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.
6.
Charlie Hurley went on to make 16 league appearances in the season.
7.
Charlie Hurley was thus selected to play for the Republic of Ireland at aged 20, but a cruciate knee ligament injury, whilst representing the army side on his national service, ended any such plans.
8.
Charlie Hurley recovered, but for the rest of his career he had to be particularly careful when making a sliding tackle and required constant treatment on his left knee.
9.
On 19 May 1957, Charlie Hurley made his Irish debut against England in Dublin.
10.
Charlie Hurley 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.
11.
On 26 September 1957, Charlie Hurley arrived at Roker Park to begin a career that would span 12 seasons and 402 appearances.
12.
Charlie Hurley had been unfortunate enough to have competed against centre forwards who would later go on to represent England.
13.
On 2 June 1969, Charlie Hurley moved to Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer.
14.
Charlie Hurley 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.
15.
Charlie Hurley played 40 times for the Republic of Ireland and was their most-capped player at the time of his final appearance in 1969.
16.
From 1972 to 1977 Charlie Hurley managed Reading, then based at Elm Park.