John Charles, a Canning Town football hero, was the first black player to represent England as an Under 18 and became the first black player to turn out for a first division West Ham United side in the 1962/63 season.

John was born in Ordnance Road, Canning Town. The family later moved to Ronald Avenue and he attended Pretoria School (now renamed Eastlea). He was the second youngest of nine children. His younger brother Clive also played for West Ham and went on to coach the US National Soccer Team. His mother, who was white, came from Silvertown and his father was a merchant seaman from Grenada.

Clive Charles became part of Football League history on 1 April 1972 whilst playing for West Ham. They were the first club to field three black players together: Clive Charles, Clyde Best and Ade Coker. He later went on to become one of the top football coaches in America. He is the younger brother to John Charles.