Statue of Big Jack Charlton in his hometown
Recent days have seen an outpouring of grief over the passing of Jack Charlton, the legendary footballer and manager.
As a player, ‘Big’ Jack was a World Cup winner with England in 1966 and a stalwart of Leeds United, making over 600 league appearances and winning the league, cup and league cup.
As a manager, Jack was beloved by many sets of fans – leading Middlesbrough to the Second Division title, Sheffield Wednesday to the Third Division title and managing his boyhood club Newcastle United.
His greatest achievements as manager, however, came with the Republic of Ireland, who he guided to their first international tournament in Euro ’88, their first World Cup in Italia ’90 (where they reached the quarter-finals) and to a victory over Italy in Giants Stadium in USA ’94.
But it wasn’t only for football that Jack is remembered. A miner himself, and a son of a mining family, Jack stood by the community he came from – supporting the miners’ strike in the 1980s and even going so far as to lend his car to the men on the pickets.
Jack Charlton was also one of the first signatories of the Anti-Nazi League and picked Ireland’s first ever black captain in Paul McGrath, helping to break down barriers of racism and prejudice in the game.
Jack Charlton brought joy to millions of people across Britain and Ireland through football, but his influence transcended the sport. In life, he was a towering monument to the values that bind our communities – and his passing deserves that legacy to be carried on for future generations.
He came from a footballing town in Ashington that also produced his brother and fellow World Cup winner Bobby Charlton, who became a Manchester United legend, winning the European Cup and Ballon d’Or.
It is only fitting that this is remembered with a statue in his hometown of Ashington. Please help us fundraise to make it happen,
List of supporters:
Liam Lavery, deputy leader, Ashington Town Council
Ronan Burtenshaw, executive council, the Connolly Association
Andy Reid, former Ireland international footballer
John Aldridge, former Ireland international footballer
John Anderson, former Ireland and Newcastle United footballer
Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool footballer
Mark Wood, England cricketer and Ashington native
Ged Grebby, chief executive, Show Racism the Red Card
James Lewis, deputy leader, Leeds City Council
Chris Kitchen, general secretary, National Union of Mineworkers
Alan Mardghum, secretary, Durham Miners Association
Dave Anderson, chair, Durham Marras
Fans Supporting Foodbanks
The Magpie Group
Daniel Lambert, director, Bohemian FC, Dublin
Jon McClure, Reverend & the Makers and Sheff Wed fan
Ian Lavery, MP for Wansbeck (including Ashington)
Richard Burgon, MP for Leeds
Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough
Jon Trickett, MP for Hemsworth
Ian Mearns, MP for Gateshead
Grahame Morris, MP for Easington
Kate Osborne, MP for Jarrow
Charlotte Nichols, MP for Warrington North
Ian Byrne, MP for Liverpool West Derby
Laura Pidcock, former MP for Durham
Dave Ward, general secretary, Communication Workers Union
Jo Grady, general secretary, University and College Union