It’s very rare that one man is beloved as much by those in across the Irish Sea as he is here in the England and yet, Jack Charlton was a very rare breed.
One of only 22 professional English footballers to have won a World Cup out of the 1244 players to ever wear that shirt with three lions on, Jack Charlton’s legacy was secured on a famous day in 1966. And yet that was just the start in many ways, as club honours followed year after year playing for Leeds United and Leeds United, only.
Then into management the loveable northerner went, reaching a truly cult icon status as the manager of the Republic of Ireland. A nation of little over 2 million people when he took the reigns in 1986, the country had never played in a major tournament before. Instead, every two and four years, Ireland had to sit at home and watch the likes of rivals, England take the grandest stage of all.
Not only did Mr Charlton take Ireland to it’s first World Cup in Italia 90, their heroics there got them a sit down with the Pope and a standing ovation from a large chunk of the nation when they returned home. By 1994, Ireland reached their 2nd ever World Cup and best of all, England were sat on their arse watching from home.
And what entertainment it was. Indulge in some YouTube digs from Jack Charlton’s time as Ireland manager…
An iconic penalty shootout (with added soundtrack Sinead O’Connor)…
The scenes back in Ireland…
The movie scenes in The Van…
‘The Craic that was Italia 90’
Jack Charlton on meeting the Pope…
News coverage of some very hot, heated moments in 1994…
Same thing, different angle.
Father Ted & Dougal’s tribute…
The full story in four minutes from RTE
