Former Ireland striker Niall Quinn has paid tribute to the legendary Irish forward Charlie Hurley, who recently passed away at the age of 87.
Charlie Hurley, who was capped 40 times by the Republic of Ireland from 1957 to 1969, is hailed as one of Ireland's finest players, notably with Sunderland, where he made over 400 appearances.
Born in Cork in 1936, he began his career at Millwall before becoming a legend at Sunderland, earning the title 'The King.' Despite narrowly missing out on the Football Writers' Footballer of the Year award to Bobby Moore in 1963/64, he left an indelible mark on both club and international football, being inducted into the FAI’s Hall of Fame in 2007.
Quinn, who was once a Sunderland chairman, was there when Charlie Hurley was inducted into the FAI’s Hall of Fame and gave some insight into the type of man Charlie Hurley was on and off the pitch.
'There are still kids in Sunderland getting tattoos of Charlie Hurley'
Former @SunderlandAFC player, manager and chairman Niall Quinn explains just what 'The King' means to the people of Sunderland.#ripcharliehurley #theking #coybig
Read more: https://t.co/dnETNGYR5R pic.twitter.com/69CzzFWtHd— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 25, 2024
"In an Irish context, he was truly an inspirational footballer," Quinn said to Irish outlet RTÉ Sport.
"A rock at the heart of the defence, courageous, brave, tough but fair. I'm told he’d go through you with a dose of salt, but he’d pick you up and ask you if you were OK afterward.
"That passed on too, then to Sunderland, because up there it became even bigger. He is a complete icon, and I say "is" because he will continue to be a complete icon."
Other tributes were paid to Charlie Hurley on social media.
The FAI, tweeting via their official X account, and said, "The FAI is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Cork-born legend Charlie Hurley. Captured 40 times by his country, Charlie will always be remembered as 'The King." We are proud he played for Ireland and offer our sympathies to his family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis."
Charlie Hurley's old club, Bolton Wanderers, also paid respects to their legend.
"Sharing our thoughts with everyone at Sunderland and Charlie Hurley’s family. A footballing giant who ended a magnificent playing career with Wanderers," said the English club.
