I was deeply saddened to hear of Charlie Hurley’s demise yesterday. He was unquestionably one of Sunderland’s greatest icons and one of my very first Roker idols, writes Kelvin Beattie.
Charlie Hurley left Millwall for Sunderland in September 1957 in exchange for £18,000 and the promise to play a friendly at the Den, which would have likely added an additional £3000 to the transfer cost (which, at the time, would have been more than £20 million).His playing career with Sunderland began rather erratically, as he lost seven goals to zero at Bloomfield Road against Blackpool, who were led by Stanley Mathews. The following week, he lost six goals at Turf Moor. As the “Bank of England scandal” caught up with Sunderland, they were demoted to the second division for the first time by the end of his first season.
After Charlie recovered, he turned into the cornerstone upon whom manager Alan Brown rebuilt the club, leading to their glorious return to the top flight in 1963–64.
Charlie Hurley’s fame had grown both domestically and internationally by this point, and his admirers were not limited to Millwall and Sunderland supporters. In the end, he would win forty caps for Ireland.
He received the title of “North East Footballer of the Year” in 1963. He was second behind Bobby Moore in the Football Writers Association’s 1964 “Player of the Year” competition. He was chosen as our “Player of the Century” by the supporters in 1979, Sunderland AFC’s centennial year. He won the 2007 Lion Roar supporters’ poll for “Best Player Ever to Play for Millwall.”
Hurley is treated with mutual respect at Sunderland that spans generations. He has an emotional bond with the team and its supporters that is legendary; to borrow a line from another large Irishman who played on our field, “we got him and he got us.”
Charlie Hurley went on to score 26 goals in 401 games across all competitions for Sunderland. The shout “Charlie Charlie” rolled down from the stands in response to the colossus venturing forwards for corners and free kicks to cause mayhem in the opposition box. If we had been counting back then, his assists total would have been through the roof.
I get asked this question a lot by my younger Sunderland supporters: “Was he really that good?” — He was considered one of the best center halves John Charles had ever faced.
Geoff Hurst stated:
I had a couple of games with Charlie Hurley. He was an excellent center half in football. Not many center half of his era were as adept with the ball as he was, even if he was quite good in the air.
Colin Todd, who is possibly the greatest all-around player to have ever gone through our youth program, stated:
Charlie was an incredibly graceful player. In the past, he would control the opposing center forwards. In addition, he was a capable passer and ball handler who could also play center forward. You brought up Beckenbauer, who was perhaps a little more agile than Charlie, but Charlie was also very strong and had excellent feel for the ball.
Charlie’s debut was during the 1965–1966 season. He scored in my very first game, reaching for a corner and clattering into the post. As I stood at the front of the Boys Enclosure, he appeared to be suffering from a concussion. With a swift swipe of the magic sponge, he was able to get back up and trot to his defensive position, much to the delight of the spectators, while waving a hand. I’ll never forget this instance; I can assure you he was completely unconscious! As I got to see him more, it felt like this happened at every game!
When I read this from reputable sports writer Tony Hardisty, covering a game I was at at Roker Park vs West Ham, I was starting to question if the passage of time had clouded my rather idealized memory of my childhood idol risking life and limb for the cause.
Charlie Hurley dashed into the middle to take full advantage of the shot in his face and turn it away for a corner while Geoff Hurst burst quickly to overtake Colin Todd and smash a ferocious drive from just inside the penalty area.
Hurley removed any danger from the scenario by clearing the corner with a forceful header after receiving treatment.
Although I was sorry to hear of Charlie’s passing, I can state unequivocally that I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to see the final four seasons of Charlie’s career at Sunderland. Long after he played his final game for us, a 2-1 victory over Burnley at the end of the 1968–69 season, his photograph hung on my bedroom wall.
Much later, Charlie said of his final match:
That night at Burnley, I was incredibly depressed, but I was also proud of what I had accomplished for Sunderland Football Club. For the fans, I turned into something positive. I had an incredible career.
I will always be a fan of the football team!
Even though the King is no longer with us, we will never forget the Greatest Center the World Has Ever Seen.
Peace be with you, Hurley Charlie.