A World Cup winner with England in 1966, Charlton led the Republic of Ireland to the quarter finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, beating Romania on penalties to secure their spot.
Following the win, hundreds of people converged on the Walkinstown roundabout in Dublin to celebrate one of Ireland's most iconic World Cup moments.
Giving it one last lash for #Jack at the #walkingtownroundabout #jackiesarmy RIP Jack Charlton pic.twitter.com/RRdY9P6vGR
— Tony O'Donoghue (@Corktod) July 21, 2020
As the funeral passed through the Northumberland town, applause rang out for Jack Charlton as thousands of people lined the streets.
Well-wishers threw flowers on the hearse as it passed slowly through the former mining community where he and his younger brother Sir Bobby honed their football skills.
The flags of the Irish Embassy in London also flew at half-mast as a mark of respect for Charlton, who many called an "adopted Irishman".
To coincide with his funeral in Newcastle today, our Embassy flags are at half-mast in honour of the late Jack Charlton. A Leeds Utd legend, World Cup winner, manager of Ireland for a decade and honorary Irish citizen - ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. pic.twitter.com/CFbZhtN9dH
— Embassy of Ireland (@IrelandEmbGB) July 21, 2020
Advertisement
Charlton, a stalwart of Leeds United’s most successful period, an England stopper who reached the pinnacle of the game and later a successful manager most notably with the Republic of Ireland, died earlier this month aged 85.
Fans wearing Leeds shirts, Newcastle United tops, Ireland strips and replica kits from his local side Ashington mingled together, waiting for their chance to pay their final respects.
As the funeral cortege passed, spontaneous applause and cheers broke.
Floral tributes in the hearse included a football and a red England shirt with “Jackie 5” on it.
Charlton was the eldest son of miner Bob and his wife Cissie, who went on to have three more boys.
He followed his father at the pit for a brief spell before leaving Northumberland to join the Leeds United ground staff aged 15.
Charlton stayed there for a remarkable 23 years, a spell broken only by National Service, playing a major part in the club turning from also-rans into a major European force.
He was almost 30 when he made his England debut, but the late developer turned good at just the right time, and was one of the Wembley heroes on that famous day in 1966.
Irishman Patrick Wilson stood in the town centre with his family to pay his respects.
The 68-year-old civil engineer, who is originally from Rahugh, Co Westmeath, but now living in Longframlington, Northumberland, said: “We look at him as a humble person, a man for the people.
“He was a simple sort of person with no airs or graces. Everyone was the same in Jack’s eyes.”
Peter Cowans, 64, decorated the outside of his Ashington home with flags in honour of the World Cup winner.
The former policeman said: “He was a lovely fella, not just a football legend, but a real gentleman too.
Charlton had been diagnosed with lymphoma in the last year and was also battling dementia.
After his death, his family said in a statement: “He was a thoroughly honest, kind, funny and genuine man who always had time for people.
“His loss will leave a huge hole in all our lives but we are thankful for a lifetime of happy memories.”
A private family service was held in Newcastle with a limited number of mourners due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
- Additional reporting: PA
