The football family was saddened this morning with the news of the death of World Cup winner Jack Charlton.
The former Leeds defender had been diagnosed with lymphoma in the last year and also had dementia.
He made a record number of appearances for Leeds and enjoyed unprecedented success with the Republic of Ireland.
Hibs’ fans of a certain generation remember the big man’s visit to Easter Road 53-years ago when his highly controversial goal ended the club’s dream of European success.
After the euphoria of a 5-0 victory over Napoli in the Inter Cities Fairs Cup, the third round draw paired Hibs with Leeds United.
Leeds finished runners-up in the competition the previous year, losing 2-0 on aggregate to Dinamo Zagreb in the final after disposing of Kilmarnock in the semis.
Leeds qualified for the third round after a 16-0 aggregate win over CA Sporta Luxembourg and a 3-2 victory over FK Partizan.
The first game took place just before Christmas 1967 in front of 32,522 fans at Elland Road.
There was a tremendous atmosphere inside stadium and Hibs were unlucky to lose 1-0 thanks to a goal from Scottish international Eddie Gray.
Scotland manager Bobby Brown who was at the game said: “It was a tremendous show by Hibs. They should never have been beaten,” whilst the Daily Record reported: “Scotland can be proud of this wonderful fighting Hibs side. They made Leeds United, one of the most feared teams in Europe look disjointed second raters.”
For the second leg Leeds pre-match preparations were dealt a a blow when the opted to make the near two hundred mile trip by rail and the train arrived two and a half hours late.
The match took place on 10th January 1968 in front of 40,503 fans who saw Colin Stein,the leading goal scorer in the Scottish League, level the tie or aggregate in the fourth minute when he chipped the ball over the advancing Sprake.
Hibs always did look dangerous on the break and Sprake, clad in tracksuit bottoms, did well to save from Pat Quinn, while Stein managed to miss two presentable chances.
In the dying minutes with extra time approaching Hibs goalkeeper Willie Wilson impeded by Lorimer, carried the ball too many steps and Welsh Referee Clive Thomas awarded a free-kick inside the penalty area.
The Hibs’ players and supporters were furious as Thomas had allowed the Leeds’ keeper to disregard the new 4-step rule on several occasions without taking action.
Johnny Giles duly lobbed the ball into the area where World Cup winner Jack Charlton headed in United’s fiftieth Fairs Cup goal in three seasons from close range.
There had been controversy over Thomas’s appointment as he was on first name terms with the Leeds players having refereed them many times in the English league.
Ahead of the game Thomas had been given a tour of Edinburgh by a Hibs’ official and whilst in the Royal Mile he spotted a tartan rug which he thought would make a nice gift for his wife. The Hibs’ official told him that the club would be delighted to buy it for him and would present it after the game. Needless to say the rug stayed in Edinburgh.
Thomas loved to be centre of attention and fans of many teams still recall dubious high-profile decisions made by the Welshman but he is probably best remembered for disallowing a ‘goal’ for Brazil against Sweden in the 1978 World Cup finals in Argentina.
Nelinho took a corner and with the ball in the air, Thomas blew his whistle and turned for the tunnel as Zico headed the ball into the net.
That decision ultimately cost Brazil a place in the final and the following morning Friedrich Seipelt, a member of Fifa’s referee’s committee, told him that he was going home. He would never again take charge of a World Cup match.
Alan McGraw later recalled. “It was a really frosty night and we should have scored twice but didn’t take our chances. Norman Hunter should have been sent off for a horrendous foul on Alex Scott, but Leeds got away with it.
“Bob (Shankly) had told me to stand in front of Jack Charlton at corners and free kicks which I did and he never won a header all night.
“In the second leg, Willie Wilson was about to kick the ball he was nudged by a Leeds player which meant that he had to take an extra step. There was nothing he could have done to avoid this so it was a poor decision.
“I went into the wall so Charlton had a free header and scored the winner but overall we were a better team and should have beaten them.”
Leeds went on to with the Fairs Cup after beating Rangers in the quarter-final, Dundee in the semi-final and Ferencvaros in the final which due to fixture congestion was held over to the stat of the following season.
Leeds continued to go from strength to strength becoming one of the most admired and feared teams at home and abroad.
During this period, the club won two league championships in 1968/1969 and 1973/1974, another Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1971 and the FA Cup in 1972.
Leeds also finished runners up in First Division three times, twice in the FA Cup and also in the 1973 European Cup Winners Cup final marred in controversy.
Revie’s men also reached the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1970.
During Revie’s last season at the club in 1973/1974, Leeds went on to win the First Division for a second time, setting a then, new Football League record of 29 matches unbeaten at the start of the campaign.
Hibs went on to have a successful season, finishing in third place behind champions Celtic and runners-up Rangers.
A family statement read: “Jack died peacefully on Friday, July 10 at the age of 85. He was at home in Northumberland, with his family by his side.
“As well as a friend to many, he was a much-adored husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
“We cannot express how proud we are of the extraordinary life he led and the pleasure he brought to so many people in different countries and from all walks of life.
“He was a thoroughly honest, kind, funny and genuine man who always had time for people.
“His loss will leave a huge hole in all our lives but we are thankful for a lifetime of happy memories.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
