The two prime ministers lead the British and Irish tributes to Jack Charlton

Tributes to the footballing great Jack Charlton have flooded in from both sides of the Irish Sea.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Jul 2020, 18:59 GMT
Updated 13th Jul 2020, 19:04 GMT
The then Republic of Ireland football manager Jack Charlton in 1995. Photo: PA WireThe then Republic of Ireland football manager Jack Charlton in 1995. Photo: PA Wire
The then Republic of Ireland football manager Jack Charlton in 1995. Photo: PA Wire

The England 1966 World Cup star who later took the Republic of Ireland into the World Cup tournament in the 1990s who died on Friday at the age of 85.

He had been diagnosed with lymphoma in the last year and was also battling dementia.

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Over the weekend fans left tributes to Charlton at Leeds United’s Elland Road ground, where he played throughout his 21-year career.

Leeds United's Jack Charlton celebrates with the FA Cup after his team's 1-0 win in 1972. Photo: PA WireLeeds United's Jack Charlton celebrates with the FA Cup after his team's 1-0 win in 1972. Photo: PA Wire
Leeds United's Jack Charlton celebrates with the FA Cup after his team's 1-0 win in 1972. Photo: PA Wire

Flowers, scarves and football shirts had been laid around Charlton’s personalised floor tile outside the stadium.

The former Leeds and England defender had won a World Cup winner’s medal in 1966. His brother Bobby, a Manchester United midfielder, was also part of the 1966 squad of heroes.

The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, was among those who expressed his condolences on the news of Jack’s death: “Jack Charlton was a football great whose achievements brought happiness to so many.”

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In the Republic of Ireland, Taoiseach Micheal Martin led the tributes, saying that Charlton personified a golden era in Irish football.

“The Italia 90 campaign was more than just a football tournament for us all, it was a time of unbridled joy and celebration throughout the nation. The great moments of that campaign are embedded in a generation’s memory.”

President Michael D Higgins said the nation had taken him to their hearts as he brought Ireland to “some of our most celebrated moments in sport”.

The Football Association of Ireland described him as “the manager who changed Irish football forever”.

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Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald described Charlton as “Ireland’s most-beloved English man”, as she expressed sorrow at his death.

Former miners’ leader and Leeds United fan Arthur Scargill also paid tribute to Charlton, a former miner from Northumberland.

Mr Scargill told the Morning Star: “Jack Charlton was one of the greatest footballers Leeds United and England have ever had but his support, together with Leeds United manager Brian Clough, for members of the NUM in 1984/85 earned him the respect of all miners and women miners’ support groups, who called him a hero.”

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Related topics:Michael D HigginsLeeds UnitedIrish SeaMicheal Martin