John William Charles (9 September 1944 – 17 August 2002) was an English footballer who played for West Ham United as a defender.

Nevertheless, playing most of his games alongside Bobby Moore, he made 142 appearances for West Ham in all competitions scoring two goals; one a League Cup game against Grimsby Town, the other the single West Ham goal in a famous Manchester United 6–1 victory at Upton Park in which Manchester United won the 1966–67 Football League trophy.

He was offered a move to Orient then managed by former West Ham player, Jimmy Bloomfield, but because of a recurring hamstring problem he retired from football aged only 26 to run the family's market greengrocer's stall.

[1] Charles admitted to being part of a strong drinking culture which existed at West Ham in the 1960s which gave rise to their slogan ″Win, Draw or Lose, we're on the booze″.

[1][4] Football is surely indebted to him as he undoubtedly paved the way for his black brothers who now enjoy the fame, riches and adulation, which he most certainly helped make possible.