Leeds United legend and England World Cup hero Jack Charlton has revealed the reason why he could not sign for Newcastle United.
Charlton recorded 773 appearances in a career spanning more than two decades at Leeds, winning the First and Second Division titles, the FA Cup, League Cup, Charity Shield, Fairs Cup and World Cup.
Born in Ashington, Northumberland, Charlton remains a lifelong Newcastle fan despite spending his entire career with Leeds.
The future England centre-back admits he could have had a trial with his beloved Magpies before committing to Leeds - but his mother insisted he was not allowed to go.
Charlton told Leeds' club website: “I could have had a trial with Newcastle, but my mother never let us go there because she said that Newcastle would get kids to sign a form which meant they’d never be able to go anywhere else to play football.
"She wouldn’t have anything to do with them."
Charlton would go on to manage Newcastle for a season from 1984, and also enjoyed spells in the dugout for Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday and the Republic of Ireland.
To this day, the 84-year-old admits he looks out for the results of his childhood team as well as the club he would go on to represent for 23 years.
Charlton added: "The two teams that I look for the results of before anyone - like with real anxiety... y'know, when you're driving up the motorway or looking for a paper - are Leeds and Newcastle.
"I was brought up "black-and-white" as a kid, and then I had my career at Leeds."
