Hundreds of people turned out to Hirst Park in Ashington on Saturday morning to witness the unveiling of a statue of a local legend and true gentleman.
Despite the rain, local councillors, football teams and even some footballing royalty made the journey to see the statue of Jack Charlton unveiled in his hometown park where he grew up having kickabouts with his brother Bobby. Jack's widow Pat gave an emotional speech where she said her late husband "had come home at last".
Jack, who was part of the England team which won the 1966 World Cup, was a much-loved figure in the mining town, and passed away in July 2020, aged 85. Thousands of people lined the streets to say their last goodbyes on the day of his funeral.
Read more: 'A true local hero': Thousands line the streets to pay respects to football legend Jack Charlton
Though fewer people were at Hirst Park for the statue unveiling, hundreds still braved the rain to see the park's latest addition. Among them were Jack's family and former footballers Bobby Moncur, Bryan Robson, Eddie Gray and ex- Newcastle United owner Sir John Hall.
Made by sculptor Douglas Jennings, the statue received a huge round of applause once the green cloth was removed after speeches by figures of Ashington Town Council and Jack's widow, Pat.
Addressing those gathered, Pat, said: "J ack would have been chuffed to bits to think that you thought so much about him. I’m not going to say very much, but I’d like to thank Mr (Douglas) Jennings for doing the statue.
"All I can say is I’m sorry the weather wasn’t good for you. One thing about Jack, he played away a lot with his career but he’s come home at last."
She continued: "I think so much of Ashington myself even though I'm not from here. I've got some very good relations and friends here, and it’s lovely to see you all."
Jack's playing career spanned more than two decades at Leeds, and he still holds the club record for most competitive appearances, while the defender also racked up 35 caps for England. He also managed Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday and took the Republic of Ireland to the European Championships and the World Cup in his decade in charge.
And of course, he managed Newcastle United from 1985 to 1986. However, Councillor Liam Lavery, who was the driving force behind the statue, said that Jack was loved in Ashington for far more than his football career. Liam said: "There was an outpouring of grief in the town when he died in the summer of 2020.
"Everyone loved him, I used to see him walking around having craic with people, he was such a down to earth man. We don't just love him here for his football, it's him as a person - he's an absolute legend."
Describing the statue as "absolutely phenomenal", he thanked everyone involved in the "community driven project", saying: "Everyone's going to love it, and I'm very proud. It's taken two years to raise the funds and get to this point, through Covid people have less money so it's been difficult to raise funds but everybody has pitched in."
Douglas Jennings, who sculpted the statue, said that Jack had been a great subject. He said: "I'm really honoured, it's Jack as an elder in his eighties which is how Ashington people remember him.
"Jack is a great subject to sculpt, he's got a great face, great character and from all my research, he was a lovely person. A family man, very worldly, and a good subject."
The statue is part of a Footballing Heritage Project which aims to bring not only Jack's legacy to life in Hirst Park, but other local heroes; his brother Bobby, uncle Jackie Milburn, and Jimmy Adamson. In the hope of inspiring the next generation, four information boards in the park explain Ashington's Football heroes and their histories.
Following the event, Ashington Town FC held a football festival, while Northumbrian piper Bev Palin played Local Hero as family and friends had their first encounter with the statue. The Ashington Colliery Band had also played Local Hero, Blaydon Races and the Match of the Day theme tune ahead of the ceremony.
What do you think of the Jack Charlton statue unveiled in Ashington's Hirst Park? Let us know!
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