Jack the giant

LEGEND is a word that is used too often in sport but it certainly applied to the great

Jack Charlton, whose death was announced yesterday aged 85.

As a central defender he literally stood out as a giant pillar of strength in the middle of the back four with Leeds United and, of course, England – most notably on that glorious day almost 54 years ago on July 30, 1966, with the World Cup victory.

Modestly he once joked that it was his brother Sir Bobby who could play and his job was to stop people playing.

He tasted success as a manager too – in particular his 10 years in charge of Ireland, taking them to twoworld Cups including a quarter final in 1990.

Whether it was his fondness for fishing or a pint, Jack was a much-loved character in both England and Ireland and will be sorely missed.