Charlie Hurley

From 1972 to 1977 Hurley managed Reading, then based at Elm Park. In the 4th round of the FA Cup in February 1972 he guided Reading, then a 4th division club, to a 4th-round meeting with Arsenal. Over 20,000 people packed into Elm Park, and Hurley's charges narrowly lost 2–1 to a side containing George Graham, Charlie George, Geordie Armstrong, Bob Wilson, Frank McLintock and other international-class players. Reading finished the season in sixteenth place in Division 4. During the 1972–73 season Hurley enjoyed an emotional 'home coming' when took his side to face Sunderland at Roker Park in the fourth round of the FA Cup. After a 1–1 draw, Sunderland won the replay 3–1. The following spring the Reading manager took a gamble by purchasing Robin Friday from non-league Hayes In 1975–76 Reading won promotion. Hurley quit on 26 February 1977. This was an historic moment as it was the first time a Football League manager had resigned at half time.

Millwall

Hurley began his football career at Millwall in 1953, making his debut at the age of seventeen in a 2–2 draw away to Torquay United on 30 January 1954. He went on to make 16 league appearances in the season. He followed this up with 38 league games in 1954–55 and also played three FA Cup ties. At the start of 1955–56, he represented London in the first English team to play in a European competition. London beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3–2 at Wembley in the Fairs Cup. He was thus selected to play for the Republic of Ireland at aged 20, but a cruciate knee ligament injury, whilst representing the army side on his national service, ended any such plans. He recovered, but for the rest of his career he had to be particularly careful when making a sliding tackle and required constant treatment on his left knee. On 19 May 1957, Hurley made his Irish debut against England in Dublin. In early October he was sold to Sunderland for a fee of £18,000. He was voted him the 'best ever player' in the Millwall fanzine The Lion Roars prior to the Dockers Day at the New Den in 2007.

Sunderland

On 26 September 1957, Hurley arrived at Roker Park to begin a career that would span 12 seasons and 402 appearances. Hurley's Sunderland career had a disastrous start; a 7–0 rout by Blackpool, coupled with him scoring an own goal on his debut, which was quickly followed by a 6–0 defeat by Burnley. Hurley had been unfortunate enough to have competed against centre forwards who would…

He played 40 times for the Republic of Ireland and was their most-capped player at the time of his final appearance in 1969.

Hurley was born in Cork, Ireland, and his family moved to in Essex, England, when Charlie was seven months old. He later survived The Blitz, in which one of his best friends was killed, and as a teenager worked as an apprentice toolmaker. His first offer of a football contract was from West Ham but he turned it down as he could earn more for his family by continuing with his apprenticeship. However, at the age of sixteen he did eventually accept a contract offer from Millwall.