Big Jack Charlton has died

A true football man and an old school manager, the game benefitted from him is worse off for his passing. Another of the era whose tales and anecdotes from football are backed up by what he achieved.

I remember him as one of the first "non-conforming" pundits who would just tell it as he saw it. Always raised a laugh, I remember him during Italia 90 bluntly stating what he'd have done to Frank Rijkaard if he'd have spat on him as happened to Rudi Voller (see the video link below)

And another great laugh describing how he'd taken his Ireland squad to see the Pope prior to their 1990 WCQF with Italy. Pat Bonner spoke with the Pope, who was an amateur goalkeeper. Ireland lost 1-0 to a Schillachi goal. Andy Townsend said that apparently in the dressing room afterwards, Jack was having a cigar, trying to keep the players heads up "Never mind lads, you have done magnificently but it is time for us to go home.” Then, as we are all gathering up our bags, Jack turned round to Packie and said: ‘By the way, the f****** Pope would have saved that!’

RIP Jack

 

He made the Republic of Ireland everyone's ‘second team’ at Italia’90, and everyone’s favourite team at USA’94 when England didn’t qualify.
In fact, I remember being quite pleased that we drew with them in 1990 as I was rooting for both teams to do well and that was all down to Big Jack’s charisma.
Top bloke. RIP

 

RIP big Back and condolences to his family. I saw him play in the late 1950s for Leeds when he was predominantly a centre-half and he looked a classy player then with a lot more skill in his boots then he was given credit for. He was always dominant in the air, which was his strength, but i also remember him lashing home a goal with a ferocious shot as well. I also recall seeing him and John McCole drinking a pint of beer out of a plastic cup at the public bar at Hillsborough less than an hour before the kick off of an FA Cup tie at Hillsborough. As a family, we used to go to several matches around Yorkshire. My brother got to know him a bit through his own work and recounted to Jack the story of the beer, which Big Jack either denied, or had conveniently forgotten. He was greatly loved in Ireland throughout his term as manager. He related so well to the people's culture there and I think that they liked the way he always wore his heart on his sleeve (and on his tongue!). My brother also recalls a time when Big Jack was doing a conference in Ireland and there was a power cut right in the middle. Well, being Jack, he just kept going with anecdotes until the lights came on again. Not just a clogger and header, but a good all-round footballer with such a strong personaity. Big vacuum left in football today.

 

RIP big man

 

RIP big Jack, a true down to earth gent. He used to prop up the bar in the Red Lion at Worsbrough when he managed Wednesday and always had time for a bit of banter with the locals. Funnily enough the Red Lion was Mick McCarthy's local as well. Two Republic of Ireland managers from one small pub must be a record.

 

Not many left now....Cohen, Stiles, Hurst, Hunt and Bobby Charlton.

 

RIP Big Jack and condolences to your friends and family.
A Football legend , a friend to the Miners and an all round great guy .

 

Think he went back to the North East. 23 seasons with Leeds amazing.

 

RIP. Sad that he became distant from his brother, must have been difficult.

 

RIP Jack.

 

Yeah that's the place we was a really nice bloke

 

he had a few houses; one of them here in the Dales. He didn’t fare too well towards the end health wise and I’ll always remember him as being one of the tightest blokes I’d ever met - wouldn’t have Sky but used to come round with a couple of beers to watch it at the neighbours!

He will be missed here but particularly in Ireland where he was revered. RIP Jack

 

Further to my earlier post.

 

RIP Big Jack. Yep, he lived up at Rockley Old Hall when he was manager at Sheffield Wednesday. Kathy Staff lived up there as well. Jack's son Peter played in the same Ward Green team as my brother. Peter hadn't inherited any of the family football talent though!

 

I recall he was the after dinner speaker at the BFC year end dinner at Ardsley House around 1994ish. Hilarious, recalling about he'd been asked to start the start the pig race at the local farmer's gala in Ireland when he was on a fishing trip. Took him about 10 seconds to realise that all ten prize pigs were either called Jack or Charlton. Great man, a true legend of the game RIP.

 

Remember big Jack coming into the Presidents Lounge for a Cup tie against Ipswich
at Oakwell when he was the manager of the Republic. He was accompanied by Charlie Williams.

A lad at the bar asked Jack if he was there to watch anyone. Charlie turned to him
and said " yes, he's heard that one of the Barnsley lads had a pint of Guinness, so
as far as Jack is concerned, that qualifies him to play." Needless to say, everyone burst
out laughing whilst Jack just shook his head.

 

They said on TV today, during the Miners strike, he actually loaned his car to some of the lads so they could travel out to the picket lines.

 

He did and he also bought striking miners beers in the red lion Worsbrough ,
He also gave a mention and a thought to striking miners and their families in his many tv interviews wishing them all the best , as did Brian Clough by the way .

 

I once heard Nobby Styles as an 'after dinner' speaker. He told the tale about after England had beaten Argentina in the quarter finals of the 66 World Cup. Some of the disgruntled Argentinians were banging on the door of the England dressing room. Nobby Stiles Dad was a funeral director in Manchester, by the way. Nobody wanted to open the door but 'Big Jack' wearing just his 'jock strap' and his silly grin stepped forward. He put his foot behind the door and opened it 3 or 4 inches. He turned round and with a bigger grin said "Nobby, there could be a bit of business for yer' Dad". He opened the door and Senor Rattin and his mates fled.