JOHN Charles, who has died aged 72, was without doubt the most celebrated footballer to wear the shirt of Hereford United.

As proficient at centre-half as at centre-forward, he was good enough to qualify in world 'dream teams' of his time in either position and was at his greatest when playing for Juventus in Italy.

It was in the summer of 1966 that Hereford's manager Bob Dennison delivered a major coup by signing the 34-year-old Charles for the, then, Southern League side and Charles amply repaid the faith shown in him over the next six years.

Charles banged in 130 goals for Hereford, more than 100 of them at Edgar Street, as he helped to revitalise attendances at home and away.

After Dennison departed to become chief scout for Coventry City, Charles assumed the position of player-manager and quickly showed that he had an eye for the qualities in players which would make Hereford a successful side.

His own standing within the game was undoubtedly a factor in attracting some talented performers to Edgar Street and he assembled the majority of the side which earned Hereford lasting fame in their FA Cup run of 1971-2.

Born in Swansea in 1931, Charles began his football career on the ground staff at the Vetch Field but failed to make the breakthrough into the league side before being snapped up by Leeds United.

There, under the management of Major Frank Buckley, Charles emerged as a centre half of high quality before circumstances offered him the chance to lead the attack.

He seized the opportunity so enthusiastically that his 42 goals in 1953-4 still stands as a Leeds seasonal record and his 157 career goals have been bettered only by Peter Lorimer.

A move to Juventus in the late 1950s quickly saw him established as one of the most admired forwards in Europe and his goals coring continued despite the fearsome defensive qualities of some of his opponents.

There were short-lived moves back to Leeds and then to Roma before his league career finally ended at Cardiff City.

After leaving Hereford in September 1971, Charles had a spell as player-manager of Merthyr Tydfil where financial constraints hindered his chances of returning success to the Valleys club.

He showed that he could still play, however, when at the age of 41, he returned to Edgar Street for a Welsh Cup tie in early 1973 and dominated the game from his position as sweeper.

Always an immense physical presence on the field, Charles earned his popularity as much for his gentlemanly conduct as well as his huge talent.

The 'Gentle Giant' was far from being a shrinking violet in the cut and thrust of the action but 'hard but fair' remained his by-word. Charles was cautioned just once in his whole career, when Hereford eliminated holders Macc-lesfield from the FA Trophy in March 1971.

After his playing career ended, Charles spent some time in the pub trade after moving back to the Leeds area but financial problems dogged him and he spent his later years, when he suffered from cancer and Alzheimer's disease, in somewhat reduced circumstances.

Always a popular figure, however, he was appointed CBE in June 2001 and received a warm welcome in Hereford when he came to sign copies of his autobiography in the city in September 2003.