THE report that John Charles is showing early signs of Alzheimer's will sadden all those who had the privilege of seeing the Gentle Giant in his prime for Leeds, Juventus and Wales writes Gordon Sharrock

"Il Buon Gigante" - as he is still reverantly referred to in Italy where he is acclaimed the best foreigner ever to play in Serie A - was one of the greatest footballers, not only of his generation but of all time.

He was and still is a legend.

At six feet two and with skills to match his massive frame, the story goes that he was so talented that Juventus used to play him at centre-forward in the first half, when he'd be almost guaranteed to score a goal or two, then switch him to centre-back in the second to defend the lead!

Even now, 40 years after helping Juve to three Championships and two cup triumphs and a proud recipient of a CBE for his services to the game, he is still a towering figure who stops the traffic every time he visits Turin.

Having only ever seen the great man's performances on television, I had largely relied on the valued judgment of others for an accurate perspective of the Charles legend until I met him in 1989 on the occasion of Nat Lofthouse's Golden Jubilee.

As sponsors of the big event, the Bolton Evening News invited the good and the great to honour the Lion of Vienna with their presence at a gala dinner. They were all there - Sir Stanley Matthews, Tom Finney, Stan Mortensen, Raich Carter ... but on a foul December night the word was that John Charles and his wife Glenda had been forced to turn back because the roads were blocked on the other side of the Pennines.

Lesser men would have gone home to thaw out in front of the fire but there never was any stopping "Il Buon Gigante". After abandoning his car, he took cabs and trains in a determined dash to Bolton Town Hall in time to pay his own personal tribute to the famous Wanderer.

"Nothing was going to stop me getting here to pay homage to Nat," he said as he walked into the reception. Nat, I know, was humbled when he was told the lengths to which his old adversary had gone to honour his name.

Maybe not the most remarkable of stories to illustrate the legend that is John Charles but, for me, it said everything about two of the game's true greats.