Leeds name Elland Road’s East Stand after late club legend Jack Charlton

World Cup winner, who died aged 85 in July, made a club-record 773 appearances during 23 years at United

(Getty Images)

Leeds have named Elland Road’s East Stand the Jack Charlton Stand in honour of their late former defender.

Charlton, who won the World Cup with England in 1966, died in July at the age of 85, just six days before Leeds earned promotion back to the Premier League.

Charlton made a club-record 773 appearances during 23 years as a player for the club, who revealed their tribute to the former defender as part of a new two-year sponsorship agreement with electronics manufacturer Hisense.

A statement on Leeds’ website read: “His legacy will now be engrained at Elland Road forever and he joins fellow greats John Charles, Norman Hunter and Don Revie, who also have stands named in their honour, along with the great Billy Bremner whose statue stands proudly outside.”

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Charlton, who joined Leeds aged 15 in 1950, won promotion to the top flight with them in 1956 and 1964 and formed the bedrock of the side built by Don Revie.

‘Big Jack’ went on to win the old First Division title, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Fairs Cup twice as Revie’s side regularly challenged for major honours.

Leeds chief executive officer Angus Kinnear added: “The contribution made by Jack Charlton to Leeds United and the game of football is immeasurable.

“It is only right that we name a stand in his memory, he is an icon.

“We thank Hisense for giving us the go-ahead to name the East Stand after Jack alongside their sponsorship and we are looking forward to the day fans return to Elland Road to celebrate the life of Jack along with Norman Hunter and Trevor Cherry.”

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PA