Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FAREWELL JACK
Supporters give it al ash one last time a sex-republic coach is laid to rest
JACK Charlton had a hometown funeral fit for a hero yesterday – but brother Bobby, one of his World Cup-winning teammates, was unable to attend.
Thousands lined the streets in tribute to Big Jack, who died aged 85 on July 10, as the cortege passed by.
Sir Bobby, 82, was not well enough to travel from his Manchester home to Newcastle for the service.
His floral tribute beside the coffin read: “Rest in Peace Jack. Sending our deepest sympathy. In our thoughts, from Bobby, Norma and family.”
Jack’s son John said: “Bobby would have been here if he could have. Sadly, he was just not well enough.”
The world’s most famous football brothers had both attended the funeral of the 1966 team’s goalkeeper Gordon Banks in March last year.
They fell out in 1996 when Jack accused Bobby of not visiting their mother Cissie before her death but reconciled years ago.
Jack presented Bobby with a lifetime achievement award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2008.
He called him the greatest player he ever saw, adding: “And he’s my brother.”
In a glittering career, Jack also played for Leeds United and managed the Republic of Ireland.
There was spontaneous applause as the five vehicles taking the “proud Englishman” on his final journey made their way through the streets of his home town Ashington in Northumberland.
Jack’s brothers Tommy, 74, and 77-year-old Gordon waved at the crowds, some of whom threw flowers while others bowed in silent tribute and a lone Northumberland piper played
Local Hero.
Gordon wiped away tears as he gazed at mourners four deep on the four-mile route. Many wore colours of Leeds, England and Ireland. Others had made signs that said “World Cup legend” and “Hero of 66”.
Jack’s widow Patricia, 85, and his children John, 61, Debbie, 57, and 53-year-old Peter received messages of sympathy from Brazil, the US, Australia and the Cayman Islands.
But the most heartfelt came in Ashington itself. Jack’s hearse stopped at Hirst Welfare Centre, the site of his old school and close to the back lane where he and Bobby first kicked a ball behind their home at 114 Beatrice Street.
Family friend and neighbour Ann Brown, 74, recalled how she played with three football legends.
She said: “I used to be out playing football with Jack and Bobby in the lane at the back of our house.
“Sometimes their mother Cissie’s cousin Jackie Milburn, the Newcastle United and England centre forward, would come down and join in.
“You look back now and it seems funny I was playing with three of the greatest footballers there ever were.
“Jack was a smashing, down-toearth lad. We all looked up to him and he never forgot where he was from. That’s why people love him so much in Ashington. He was one of our own.”
Bricklayer Peter Mather, 68, stood with a sign saying: “Howay Wor Jack.”
He said: “I never normally wear a cap but I’ve got one on today out of respect to Jack, who often wore one.”
Civil engineer Patrick Wilson, 68, one of many Irish people who turned out to pay their respects, said: “We look at Jack as a humble person with no airs or graces, a man of the people.”
Ex-policeman Peter Cowans, 64, who decorated his home with flags in honour of Jack, said: “He was a lovely fella, not just a football legend but a real gentleman who never forgot his roots. I knew the crowds would turn out in droves for him.”
Jack, who died of lymphoma, was a reader of the Mirror – which is calling for him to be given a posthumous knighthood – and loved to read our sports coverage and
do the word puzzle in retirement. When his cortege got to Newcastle 20 miles away, 150 people lined the entrance to West Road Crematorium but Covid restrictions meant only 20 mourners were let in for the service led by the Rev Captain Paul Allison.
Granddaughter Kate Wilkinson told them: “Grandad Jack was a proud Englishman, a proud Northerner and a proud honorary Irishman.
“The footballer, the friend, the family man we all knew was forged in Ashington during a happy childhood with parents and three brothers he always loved dearly. As they whiled away hours kicking a ball about, grandad could never have imagined how remarkable his life would go on to be.”
She joked how Jack fell to the ground at the final whistle of the 1966 final – not overcome with emotion but simply because he was “bloody knackered”, as he told his family afterwards.
Grandson Tom Wilkinson fondly recalled: “One of grandad’s greatest qualities was his generosity – not just of things but of spirit and of time.
Meanwhile, Irish supporters and former players paid an emotional tribute to Jack here yesterday.
World Cup hero Niall Quinn – who scored a vital equaliser against the Dutch during the famous Italia 90 run to the final eight – led the plaudits.
The towering former striker, who was pictured decked out in green with his son Mikey, simply said: “Farewell Big Jack, thanks for everything.”
Throngs of fans gathered at the Walkinstown roundabout in Dublin to pay their respects and celebrate his life. The area was home to joyous scenes and spontaneous celebrations during the 1990 World Cup and many people were determined to reminisce and express their gratitude.
A poignant event was also held in Ballina, Co Mayo, to honour the frequent visitor who loved unwinding by fishing on the River Moy.
Jack and his wife Pat and family had a holiday home in the area and there was music yesterday as friends gathered to pay homage to him.