Clubs played for: Leeds United (1950-1973)
Born: 1935
Birthplace: Ashington, Northumberland
Position: Centre-half
Biography: Jack dreamed of becoming a professional footballer and with good reason. He certainly had the ability and came from good football stock. Not only did his elder brother Bobby hit the heights, his mother's cousin was Jackie Milburn. The highlight of his playing career, which was saw him remain loyal to one club, came as a member the mighty Leeds team of the late 1960s/early 1970's which dominated English soccer and won the League title in 1968/9. The Northumberland lad had been voted FWA Player of the Year the previous year and ultimately played over 600 games in white before retiring in 1973. Even then, he was not done with the game and many would argue that he was even more successful as a manager. He was Manager of The Year in 1973-4 as a result of Middlesborough's promotion from the second division in 1973/4 and then led the Republic of Ireland to their first World Cup in 1990. Having suffered from lymphoma and dementia, 'Big Jack' OBE died at home in July 2020 at the age of 85.
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