Mourners turn out to pay tribute to Jack Charlton
The North East turned out in force to pay their respects to England World Cup winner Jack Charlton.
The former Republic of Ireland manager died earlier this month aged 85.
Crowds began to gather in Charlton’s home town of Ashington in Northumberland early on Tuesday morning ahead of a private family service in Newcastle.
The funeral cortege passed through the town where he and his brother Sir Bobby spent their formative years.
Charlton was also being remembered in Ireland – the country he led to the 1988 European Championship and the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. The Football Association of Ireland had called on all Republic fans to wear green in memory of Charlton.
Applause broke out as the cortege made its way through Ashington.
The pallbearer walked in front of the cars for a couple of hundred yards before the cortege travelled back to Newcastle for a private service at West Road Crematorium.
Almost 20,000 fans have now signed the FAI’s virtual Book of Condolences.
The FAI are in talks with the Charlton family about a fitting memorial when COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted.