Jack Charlton's son has paid tribute to the football legend after accepting an award in his honour from an Irish Ambassador.
John Charlton was at the Tyneside Irish Centre in Newcastle city centre on Monday night to receive the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad on behalf of his late father. The award is presented by the President of Ireland to Irish citizens, or those of Irish heritage, as a means to recognise the contribution of members of the Irish diaspora.
The award for Jack Charlton was announced in November 2020 but, due to the pandemic, it was not possible to hold the ceremony at the President’s residence that year. Instead, the award was presented to Jack's family in Newcastle by the Ambassador of Ireland to Great Britain, Adrian O’Neill, during his visit to the city.
Paying tribute to his dad, John said: "As a family, we are very proud of what he did. Not just for Ireland, but right throughout his life.
"He started playing football at Leeds when he was 15 and, even when he died at 85, he was still very recognisable wherever he went.
"Long will his memory live on. Not just in this country - his memory will live on even longer in Ireland because the way he was thought upon was something unbelievable."
John said that his father's former players, including Niall Quinn, Packie Bonner and Paul McGrath, all have fond memories of their former manager and miss him greatly. John spoke with the trio during an appearance on RTÉ’s The Late Late Show to honour Jack Charlton’s contribution to Irish football as part of a celebration of the centenary of the Football Association of Ireland.
"I was in Ireland on Friday doing the Late Late Show and I was talking to Niall Quinn and Packie Bonner and Paul McGrath," John said.
"Paul said to me, 'you wouldn't believe how much I miss him [Jack} every time I hear his voice because you've only got to hear his voice and you know it's him.'
"[Paul said to me] it's unbelievable how his name will get a mention on the radio and I go back to the days when we were all part of the Ireland team.'
"Paul said that when you consider he played for Manchester United, the best time of his life was the 10 years playing for Ireland with my dad.
"It is something that will go on forever because, as long as those players are alive, that is all they want to talk about."
Presenting the award to Jack Charlton's family, Irish Ambassador O'Neill said the accolade recognised Jack's service to the Irish nation and its reputation abroad.
Ambassador O’Neill said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to make a formal presentation of the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad to Jack Charlton’s family so close to his home place. It was also special to have representatives of the Irish community, to whom Jack meant so much, present at the event.
“Jack managed the Irish senior men’s team for a decade from 1986 to 1996. At the time of his departure as manager, he had earned honorary citizenship of Ireland after leading the Irish team to two World Cups and a European Championship, and inspiring unheard of public jubilation and a cultural confidence that touched everyone in Ireland”
Tony Corcoran, secretary of Tyneside Irish Centre, said the award ceremony marked the first time an Irish Ambassador had visited Newcastle since the Covid outbreak. Paying tribute to Jack, he added: "Jack is revered in Ireland, not just for football, but because he broke down barriers and created new relationships.
"He brought a sense of humour and tolerance to the relations between Britain and Ireland."
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