A statue of 1966 FIFA world cup winner – with England – Jack Charlton has been unveiled in Northumberland, in his remembrance.
Jack is a brother to Bobby Charlton, another 1966 world cup hero, who also doubles as the only survivor of Munich air crash that claimed Manchester United’s players’ lives. The statue was erected to remember the former England football star, few a few years after his demise. Jack Charlton died in July 2020, aged 85, after being diagnosed with lymphoma.
During the ceremony, his wife was full of praise for the organizers of the event. “Jack Charlton would be thrilled the people of Ashington thought so much of him,” she said.
“I knew he was well liked here, but I think he’d be more than surprised at the love they’ve given him,” added the footballer’s widow.
The ceremony comes barely a month before the world starts experiencing another football bonanza, as Qatar will be hosting the global football showpiece, from mid-way November, 2022. The event usually takes place after four years period (in the month of June). However, this year’s time table was adjusted due to inconveniences caused by COVID-19 in the last two years.
Bill Doherty, Ashington Football Club chairman, described the statue as a fitting tribute. He said: “All the town comes together for these footballing moments.
“Everyone knew who the Charlton brothers were. Jack used to visit Ashington often. You’d see him at the British Legion or the post office.
“I think his legacy does continue. We’ll all be watching the World Cup when it starts in November. These two lads went and lifted the trophy.
“Them being from Ashington, that’s really special.” England football team have only managed to lift the world cup trophy once, in 1966. Since then, the team have never been able to mount a serious challenge against seasoned footballing machines like Germany, Brazil, the Dutch and Spain – among others.
