Times article justifies my decision to challenge Charlie Hurley on the title of his authorised biography

Charlie Hurley died on 22 April 2024.  

Back in 2006 when I met my dad's favourite footballer Charlie Hurley to discuss getting his backing for the book I was writing on him the meeting went well and Charlie agreed for it to become an authorised biography. It came out in October 2008 and was a big success. A series of public speaking events went, especially in the North East, very well. 

As we moved towards publication date one issue that did concern Charlie was the title "The Greatest Centre Half the World has ever seen" and which was taken from the chant by Sunderland fans "Whose the Greatest Centre Half the World has ever seen?" Charlie felt it might lead to some of his ex team mates, as footballers do, having a joke at his expense and alsoseem a bit big headed. 

I was insistent that was the title, stating "it is your legacy this book and that is what the fans who loved you thought" and so it stayed as the title. Amidst the many articles written following his death relatively few have done Charlie justice in terms of his ball control and ability to direct the play. So it was great to read The Times obituary, clearly written using the book, that does the great man justice. 

RIP Charlie.