Charles Reep

Thorold Charles Reep (22 September 1904 – 3 February 2002) was a football analyst credited with creating the long ball game which has characterized English football. Charles Reep trained as an accountant, then volunteered for the Royal Air Force in 1928.

In the 1950s Charles Reep wrote his theories on football in the now defunct magazine Match Analysis from watching a variety of matches in soccer and concluded most goals were scored from fewer than three passes: therefore he concluded it was important to get the ball quickly forward as soon as possible. The quicker the ball was played to goal with the least number of passes the more goals would be scored. His theory became known as the long ball. Charles Reep's ideas drew attention to 1950's coach Stan Cullis and at Brentford F.C..

His ideas have been the foundation of the Norway national football team playing style.