ONE of football's all-time greats was recovering at home yesterday after being taken ill at a speaking engagement.

Soccer legend John Charles was rushed to hospital after becoming unwell at the Civil Service Club in Scarborough earlier this week.

But the former star of Leeds United, Juventus and Wales was discharged from the town's hospital after tests and is now resting at his home in Birkenshaw, near Bradford.

His wife, Glenda, said: "He's fine and looking as healthy as you and me."

Former Leeds United Supporters' Club chairman Peter Coates said he was relieved at the good news.

He said: "He's not just my idol, he's a very good friend and I hope he's going to be all right. As well as being the finest footballer I have seen in his position, he's one of the game's great gentlemen."

Mr Charles, who 70, has been fighting bladder cancer for years and was made a CBE at Buckingham Palace last year.

Members of the York branch of the Leeds United supporters' club met him at their annual dinner almost two weeks ago.

The Leeds United Player of the Millennium, he played at both centre-half and centre-forward for the club. In 1957 he was transferred to Juventus for a then British record fee of £65,000.

He played 38 times for Wales, including appearances in the 1958 World Cup.