IRISH FOOTBALL legend Paul McGrath has led the tributes to Jack Charlton, following the former Republic of Ireland manager’s death, aged 85.
Charlton passed away in his sleep at his home in Northumberland on Friday, July 10, with his beloved wife Pat Kemp and his family by his side.
A Leeds United legend and member of England’s 1966 World Cup winning team, to Irish soccer fans Charlton will always be remembered as the man who transformed the fortunes of the Republic’s national team, taking them to their first ever World Cup and a quarter-final appearance, no less.
McGrath played under Charlton during those glory years and was among the first to pay tribute to “Big Jack” and a man who was so much more than just a manager.
Absolutely gutted 😢
Father figure to me for 10 years, thanks for having faith in me. Sleep well Jack, Love ya 💔
Thinking of Pat, John and Peter at this sad time 💚 🇮🇪 ☘️ #thanksforthememories pic.twitter.com/qstCVbCK4C— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) July 11, 2020
Writing on Twitter, the former Manchester United and Aston Villa defender, who played some of his best games under Charlton, said he was “absolutely gutted” to hear the news.
“Father figure to me for 10 years, thanks for having faith in me. Sleep well Jack, Love ya,” he wrote.
McGrath’s Ireland teammate John Aldridge echoed those sentiments, describing Charlton as “the best manager I was lucky to play for.”
Absolutely gutted that BIG JACK has passed away!What a football man,,Loved and adored,specially in Ireland.The best manager I was lucky to play for.The times we had on and off the pitch was priceless !my thoughts are with pat and the family!RIP my good friend Never Forgotten !!
— John Aldridge (@Realaldo474) July 11, 2020
“The times we had on and off the pitch was priceless,” he added.
“RIP my good friend"
Fellow international Andy Reid recalled memories of being an eight-year-old during the homecoming of the Ireland team from the 1990 World Cup.
As an 8 year old I went to the homecoming of the Ireland team from Italia 90, hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets! Jack Charlton started something that we are all benefiting from! Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. ⚽️🇮🇪🙏🏻 #Ripjack
— Andy Reid (@AndyReidXI) July 11, 2020
“Hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets,” he said. “Jack Charlton started something that we are all benefiting from! Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Gary Lineker, meanwhile, remembered the World Cup winner as the “manager of probably the best ever Ireland side and a wonderfully infectious personality to boot.”
Saddened to hear that Jack Charlton has passed away. World Cup winner with England, manager of probably the best ever Ireland side and a wonderfully infectious personality to boot. RIP Jack.
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) July 11, 2020
Micheál Martin led the tributes from the world of politics, recalling how Charlton “brought such honesty and joy to the football world.”
“He personified a golden era in Irish football-the Italia 90 campaign being one of pure joy for the nation,” the Taoiseach said.
So saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Charlton who brought such honesty and joy to the football world.He personified a golden era in Irish football-the Italia 90 campaign being one of pure joy for the nation. He gave us magical memories.Thank you Jack.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) July 11, 2020
“He gave us magical memories. Thank you Jack.”
Mary Lou McDonald, meanwhile, described him as “Ireland's most beloved English man.”
“He kept 'em all under pressure and kept us all cheering the boys in green on. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.”
Jack Charlton was Ireland's most beloved English man. Sorry to hear of his passing. He kept 'em all under pressure and kept us all cheering the boys in green on. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) July 11, 2020
"All of Ireland is sad to hear of the passing of Jack Charlton," Leo Varadkar said. "He lifted the nation and gave us some truly incredible memories through those wonderful summers of 88, 90 and 94."
Simon Harris remembered how “we were all part of Jackie’s army” during those glory years at Euro ‘88, Italia ‘90 and USA ‘94
“So many of my childhood memories involve his time leading our national team," he said.
“The excitement and pride he brought us all. We were all part of Jackie’s army! Rest in peace.”
🙁Such sad news. A footballing legend who became such a part of our lives as Ireland Manager. So many of my childhood memories involve his time leading our national team. The excitement and pride he brought us all. We were all part of Jackie’s army! Rest in peace https://t.co/SfeYLwMgdx
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 11, 2020
For radio host Neil Prendeville, Charlton “defined a generation of Irish soccer” while Sky News’a Enda Brady shared a picture of himself, as a 15-year-old, interviewing the Ireland manager.
“I don’t have the words to describe just how much Jack Charlton meant to Irish people and how much he did for our country,” he said.
“He gave us the best of times. Thanks for giving a 15 year old kid on work experience a break."
JACK CHARLTON - So sad to hear about the passing of the legendary Jack Charlton. He defined a generation of Irish soccer by guiding the Republic of Ireland through their most successful years and won the World Cup with England in 1966 #PutEmUnderPressure https://t.co/nAZkk5Cfyx
— Neil Prendeville (@NeilRedFM) July 11, 2020
I don’t have the words to describe just how much Jack Charlton meant to Irish people and how much he did for our country. He gave us the best of times. Thanks for giving a 15 year old kid on work experience a break. Much love to your family. RIP Big Jack 💚 pic.twitter.com/UX4X8haYd1
— enda brady (@endabradymedia) July 11, 2020
Irish screenwriter Declan Lawn produced one of the most poignant tributes.
“Jack Charlton didn’t just transform Irish football,” he wrote.
“He transformed Ireland itself by making an entire generation believe that anything is possible and that it’s OK to dream.”
Jack Charlton didn’t just transform Irish football. He transformed Ireland itself by making an entire generation believe that anything is possible and that it’s OK to dream. #RIPJack pic.twitter.com/GDyZkhZDrN
— Declan Lawn (@DecLawn) July 11, 2020
One of the most personal messages came from Charlton’s granddaughter, Emma Wilkinson, who also took to social media to say goodbye to her “beloved grandad”
“He enriched so many lives through football, friendship and family,” she said.
“He was a kind, funny and thoroughly genuine man and our family will miss him enormously.”
Beyond sad to have to say goodbye to my beloved Grandad, Jack Charlton. He enriched so many lives through football, friendship and family. He was a kind, funny and thoroughly genuine man and our family will miss him enormously. pic.twitter.com/MR4i5WgAMP
— Emma Wilkinson (@emmawilkitv) July 11, 2020
R.I.P. Jack. Gone but never forgotten.
