Jack Charlton has died

He was that guy that everyone called your uncle even though he wasn't related. An absolute titan of my childhood

Gutted


They were really great days. I can't be bothered with football these days but Italia 90 was something else.


RIP Jack.

Gretas Gonna Get Ya! wrote: »

I don't think he really gets the credit he deserves from some quarters... he was a very shrewd manager and a proper old-school leader! His tactics gave us a fighting chance against even the best teams in the world...

Also took guts to manage the Ireland team, as an Englishman, while the IRA were still planting bombs in his home country. This is very rarely even mentioned about him. Great character, will be sadly missed. RIP big jack!

Not to take anything away from Charlton but we had a seriously talented group of players during his time which became somewhat blunted due to Jacks, er, robust tactics and style of play.

Church on Tuesday wrote: »

Not to take anything away from Charlton but we had a seriously talented group of players during his time which became somewhat blunted due to Jacks, er, robust tactics and style of play.

Is that you Eamon..?

Prior to Jack Ireland had never qualified for a FIFA World Cup or a European Championship. That’s how little impact football in Ireland had on the international stage.

In 1988 we qualified for the euros. Acquitted ourselves well. In 1990 we qualified, reached the quarter final of the World Cup, narrowly loosing to Italy. We went from practically a team there to make up the numbers to being one of the last 8 teams in the competition. Imagine we were a goal or two from a World Cup semi final. That’s what Jack and the lads did for us. 1990 was a summer of pure joy...the happiness

1994 I was over in New York, there only a teenager...Ray Houghton scored at the other end of Giants stadium, place went mad. The sheer amount of happiness enjoyed by Irish people that day and for a while to come was unmatched...

The impact Jack had on many of our lives, our enjoyment, excitement and joy of being Irish... great times, he was a great guy..uncompromising, driven, smart and a gent.

Church on Tuesday wrote: »

It's a myth that Ireland had a poor squad and had to be plucky just because Jack was brought in, anyone with even a passing interest in football would tell you that.

We had players that could actually play football, all of them or most playing for the top sides in England.

That doesn't tally with the whole Ole Ole nonsense though.

A team can achieve nothing without a leader, no matter how much talent any individual has. Just heard John Aldridge say on the news that the team would do anything for him. Paul McGrath just described losing a father figure. That’s what gets results.

What he brought to Our country is way beyond football. He taught us we can dream big and achieve at a time when we most needed it.

Today is a day for Ole, Ole, Ole.

Damien360 wrote: »

Has anyone found the original clip of Jack at the Aviva. I remember seeing it on TV at the time on rte news I think and there was no stupid commentary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Some commentary on this link that someone shared on twitter earlier, but you can hear the crowd break into another “We’re all part of Jackie’s army...” toward the end.



It’s so difficult to put into words how much he meant, and will always mean to a nation of dreamers who he helped become achievers. I don’t remember ‘88 properly but I remember so well how Italia 90 changed & united us so much at a time when we really needed it.
He really was something else, and the legacy he leaves behind is a testament to the great man he was.

There’s a lovely bronze statue of him fishing at cork Airport. A fitting tribute.

I will always cherish my OPEL jersey. Wouldn’t sell it for all the tea in Yorkshire

I havent been a football fan since 1990. This news sure smarts though.

Masala wrote: »

Will Michael D go over for funeral.... it deserves a big representative from Ireland to say THANKS JACK

He loves his football so I'm sure he will

Masala wrote: »

Will Michael D go over for funeral.... it deserves a big representative from Ireland to say THANKS JACK

Must do surely, Jack was a real credit to himself and England, and embraced the culture and customs of this country without any bull or politics, was a straight talker, and a clever thinker, way ahead of what the perception of him was as a manager, he got the best out of his players, trusted them to do a job, and they all bought into his vision, the kick and rush nonsense was correct to a degree, but it was the likes of Dunphy, a bitter man who had very little pedigree in the game, who tried to enhance his profile by baiting Jack Charlton. They played some very good stuff, and achieved incredible results, if you want style points, watch ballet dancing or gymnastics, there is more than one way to play, and he found a winning system. Ireland had a great generation of players, but they may have been wasted without Jack, who was the glue to stick them all together. Add this to the fact that the FAI are a shambolic organisation, and that might give you an idea of the magnitude of that team and their achievements. On the Wednesday after beating England at Euro 88, they outplayed The USSR, who were a very strong side, and were desperately unlucky to draw 1-1. The following Saturday, needing a draw to reach the semi finals, Ireland were undone by a horrible spinning freak goal, by the Dutch, who were 0-0 for 82 minutes. The tournament concluded with the Dutch winning, defeating USSR 2-0, including a fantastic Marco Van Basten goal. The finalists were both in Irelands group, and Ireland more than held their own against them. This was not kick and rush football at all. More importantly it gave the players belief that they could compete at a high level, and raised expectations, Jack and the team gave us hope for the future, he was a hugely positive influence, and the memories he left behind will live forever. RIP, and thanks Jackie.