Early Life and Career
Born into a footballing family in in Ashington, Northumberland, Charlton was initially overshadowed by his younger brother Bobby, who was taken on by Manchester United while Jack was doing his National Service with the Household Cavalry. His uncles were Jack Milburn (Leeds United and Bradford City), George Milburn (Leeds United and Chesterfield), Jim Milburn (Leeds United and Bradford Park Avenue) and Stan Milburn (Chesterfield, Leicester City and Rochdale), and legendary Newcastle United and England footballer Jackie Milburn was his mother's cousin.
After quitting a job in a coal mine, Charlton applied to join the police, but was then offered a trial by Leeds United after they had spotted him playing as a central defender in an amateur match. The trial game clashed with his police interview, and Charlton chose to play in the game. He impressed enough to be offered an apprenticeship with Leeds, and then signed professional terms in 1952.
Charlton played in the Leeds senior team for the first time in April 1953 and within another two years was a regular fixture in the side.
The side was built around Welsh legend John Charles. Under Raich Carter, Leeds won promotion to the First Division in 1956, before suffering relegation in 1960. Jack Taylor replaced Carter as manager but he was fired in March 1961 and replaced by Don Revie.
Charlton feared for his future at Leeds after Revie's appointment, as the two had disagreed as players. In 1963 Revie agreed to sell him, but interested clubs – including Liverpool and Manchester United – could not match Leeds' asking price. Ultimately, they settled their differences, and Revie built the Leeds defence around Charlton.
Charlton was joined at centre back in 1962 by Norman Hunter, a product of the youth policy. Other youth team players such as Peter Lorimer, Paul Reaney and Billy Bremner also came into the side and Leeds won promotion back to the First Division in 1964. Leeds made an immediate impact on their first season back in the top flight; they were runners up in the league, losing the title to Manchester United on goal average, and were beaten 2–1 by Liverpool in the FA Cup final. Charlton, operating as an emergency striker, set up Bremner's goal for Leeds.
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