Letter to the Editor: Jack Charlton was Ireland’s most loved Englishman

Death of former Republic of Ireland soccer manager who brought joy to the entire country

Jack Charlton after the Republic of Ireland's defeat to Italy in the World Cup quarter final at the Stadio Olimpico, Rome, on June 30, 1990. Picture: INPHO/Billy Stickland

Last Saturday morning I heard about the death of Barry Collins in Cork Golf Club, and tragic as his death was, it was totally eclipsed by the news of the death of Jack Charlton which I heard on my car radio as I drove to play golf on a sun-drenched morning.

Jack was by far the most loved Englishman that ever stood on Irish soil. As my company, Three Stripe International, was the clothing sponsor to the FAI during the halycon days of the Jack Charlton era I got to know the Northumberland-born man quite well.