John Charles, ex-Leeds United and Juventus forward was a part of the last Wales team in a major competition. Now his grandson, Huddersfield’s Jake Charles, says that the fact Wales now stand on the brink of qualifying for Euro 2016 is what is driving him forward.
Ex-Leeds United forward John Charles was known as il gigante buono when he played in Italy, scoring 108 goals in 155 appearances for Juventus. He was also part of the last Wales team to qualify for a major tournament, the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. With Wales standing on the brink of qualifying for Euro 2016, a point being all the team from the principality need to head to France, Huddersfield’s Jake Charles says that it is this that is motivating him, providing him a vision to aim to.
Academy prospect Charles, who has made one first team appearance for the Terriers, is currently a part of Geraint Williams’ Under-21 set up but has plans to climb higher internationally. Speaking to the Huddersfield Examiner, the young Charles said, “The Welsh coaches are always telling you the pathway to the senior squad is there and I want to show I am good enough to make that step.”
In the interview, Jake Charles goes on to say that the fact that Wales stand teetering on the brink of qualifying for the Euros, with only Bosnia-Herzogovina or Andorra as their obstacles, would be something that would make his grandfather swell with pride. The Huddersfield Town youngster said, “He was a very proud Welshman and he would have been extremely proud to see Wales where they are now.”
Links are inevitable when you are related to a player that many call a true great of the game; a player equally revered for his exploits in both England and Italy. Jake Charles, in paying tribute to his illustrious grandfather admits that, “It’s a bit of added pressure being a young footballer and people saying, ‘That’s John Charles’ grandson’, but if I’m half as good a player I’m going to have a good career.”
