News about John Charles

OLIVER HOLT: This fall, English football was invented in 1992 but that it did not produce any outstanding goalcorers or players until the Premier League was established, and it does not produce any outstanding goal scorers or players before the Premier League was established, it seems that it is relevant to point out that Jimmy Greaves has scored as many or more league goals as in three seasons out of four in the 1960s. In 1960-61, Greaves' highest single season league total was 41. In 1956-57, John Charles was 38 for Leeds United. Ted Drake scored 42 for Arsenal in 1934-35, Pongo Waring scored 49 for Aston Villa in 1930-31, and Everton's Dixie Dean scored 60 for Everton in 1926-27. In the English game, Haaland has yet to defeat Dean's single-season record of 63 goals, but Dean did not appear in European competition so the comparison is suspect. That brings an end to my attempts at restraint. The cautions regarding past glories of others do not change the fact that every opportunity to watch Haaland play for Manchester City this season has been a privilege. Every time we see him play, every time watching him score, we get the feeling that we are watching something special. We're sitting in front of history unfolding.

JEFF POWELL: On this St David's Day of another genius of the 1958 World Cup Finals, the sad death of French football legend Just Fontaine, 89, brings the recalled joy. Fontaine's 13 goals in Sweden remain a record for the highest total amount ever collected in a single World Cup tournament. However, even so, the incredible goal rush was not enough to win the Jules Rimet Trophy, despite France losing their semi-finals to Brazil.

Let us pray for Pele's soul (pictured), but also that his death puts to rest one and all the nonsense claims that he is the greatest footballer of all time. As the monument of Christ the Redeemer stands tall and proud above all pretenders to his kingdom as it looks down on Rio's fabled beaches, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, as he was born. The Leo Luvvies and Cristiano Crazies have all been waiting to hear the true tale of the beautiful game.

The Wales World Cup team has been forged in the values of Rhonddda Valley rugby union country, just as the last one was in 1958. On opposite sides of the hilltop St Mary's Wells, one of the country's most sacred sites, Rob Page and Jimmy Murphy, the respective squad's leaders, were brought three miles apart in three separate valleys. Both the two people never met before Murphy's death, although modesty is a common trait. Sir Matt Busby's assistant at Manchester United, Murphy, never liked a fuss. He never wrote about how the youngsters, who viewed him as a father, were killed in the Munich air tragedy, which he avoided by taking Wales to a World Cup play-off in 1958. Blink and you'll miss Murphy on the end terrace of Treharne Street in Pentre, where he grew up. A blue plaque for Welsh poet and writer Rhydwen Williams, a few doors down, is much more popular.

EXCLUSIVE: Kerry Davis will be named as the first black woman to represent England at Wembley Stadium on Monday night. Mail On Sunday Sport can announce that Davis, 60, who was honoured by the national team to attend the Nations League match against England and Germany on Monday, just weeks after the Lionesses made history by halting the country's 56-year wait for a major international trophy. Davis, who made her England debut against Northern Ireland in 1982, went on to play 82 times for England, scoring 44 goals.

Exclusive INTERVIEW - BY SAMI MOKBEL: Ben Odeje's story is one of nationality, admiration, and, eventually, recognition. The 67-year-old (pictured) tells a harrowing tale of a man who asked people if people still lived in trees in Africa as he returned home after a humiliating loss in the 1970s. The racial insinuence was too numerous to mention.' Odeje tells Sportsmail that it wasn't always a free-for-all. 'Even the people supposed to be looking after you, the coaches, and your coworkers referred to you as chalky or sambo.' 'The people who are supposed to be on your side were often the biggest perpetrators.' You're trying to fight it, but there is nowhere for you to go.' The issue of bigotry is as relevant as ever, though parents are much more open to their children's participation in football than ever before.

Benjamin Odeje is the first black man to ever represent England, according to Sportsmail. Odeje has been waiting for over half a century for the FA to announce him as the first black footballer to play in an international tournament for England at any level - but his 51-year wait is coming to an end. Following internal talks, Sportmail has learned that the FA has agreed to welcome Odeje, a long liner at Charlton during the 1960s and 1970s, as a special guest to England's UEFA Nations League match against Germany later this month.