George calls for Lasting Memorial for John Charles

Ricky George has called for a lasting memorial to the legend John Charles who joined Hereford United 40 years ago.

In an interview this morning on BBC Hereford and Worcester, George spoke about the Gentle Giant's time at Edgar Street.

"John was a God to our generation and when he signed for Hereford and went into Non-League football it was an opportunity for players and people who hadn't seen him play live to get a glimpse of this man.

"I remember when I first saw him live when I was playing for Barnet I was just in awre of him. He wasn't just a fanastic player but had this wonderful physic.

"But the great thing about him as a manager was that he was so unassuming. He was modest, he was funny. He was just a ordinary guy that wanted to play football. He influenced us all just by being there.

"Everybody called him the Gentle Giant. It didn't mean that he didn't play with passion but if anybody did anything at all which could be construed as dirty or over the top it offended him.

"He commanded a massive respect in the dressing room.

"There was a great story with Ronnie Radford's first game for us. When Ronnie arrived in the summer of 71, we had a pre-season friendly away at Shrewsbury. Just before we went out Ronnie asked John where he wanted him to play. John said you're a midfield player aren't you. Ronnie said yes so John said play midfield then.

"I think he was the best header of a football and I think that is acknowledged by the rest of the world in football. He wasn't just tall, John had fanastic timing.

"I also remember games when we were struggling, 0-0 or 1-0 down, and we needed something. John would just say hit one to the far post and I'll score a goal for us.

"I think (a lasting memorial) would be so fitting and I can't imagine anybody in Hereford who wouldn't agree with it.

"He was adored at Leeds, he was adored at Juventus and he was certainly adored at Hereford.

"It was his team, complimented by Colin Addison, that had the cup run and it was his team that finally got Hereford into the Football League."

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