Neil Warnock pays tribute to ex-Leeds United defender and Middlesbrough boss Jack Charlton

Charlton spent his entire 21-year playing career at Leeds, making a joint club record 773 appearances, before retiring as a player in 1973 and going on to enjoy a successful and colourful career as a manager.

His first managerial role was at Boro where he helped the club win promotion to the First Division in the 1973/74 season with eight games remaining.

Ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Reading, Boro boss Warnock was asked if he came across Charlton during their careers, to which he replied: “Yeah a few times, young man he used to call me.

"He was one of those guys who knew what he wanted, wasn’t bothered about anyone else and just got on with his life really.

“I understand why he loved fishing because that’s what I do, I love fishing. Kevin Blackwell can’t understand why you wait hours to catch a fish and put it back. It’s a therapy that you need as a manager to clear your head.

“The jobs he’s done, not just at Middlesbrough which was unbelievable, but the Irish job was fantastic.

“He just showed people what you can achieve with team spirit and a good group of players and it doesn’t come easily that. You might think it’s quite easy as a manager to run that but it isn’t.”

As a player Charlton was a key member of England’s World Cup winning side in 1966, and Warnock remembers watching the former defender.

“All credit to him, he never shirked a challenge, always a smashing chap to talk to and a hell of a player.

“I remember him on the six-yard box getting up for those corners, he was like a giraffe wasn’t he and a lot of people have taken that on board here.

Boro held a minute’s applause for Charlton before their game against Bristol City at the Riverside on Saturday.

“As I was clapping I thought I’m not sure they’ll be clapping on mine,” laughed Warnock. “But it was great to see the man, he was a fabulous person. Lovely family as well.”