Thousands cheer in streets ahead of Jack Charlton funeral

By: The Associated Press Posted: 12:36 PM CDT Tuesday, Jul. 21, 2020 Last Modified: 12:38 PM CDT Tuesday, Jul. 21, 2020

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ASHINGTON, England - Applause and cheers broke out in celebration of the life of Jack Charlton as thousands of people gathered in a former mining community in northern England before the funeral of the 1966 World Cup winner on Tuesday.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/07/2020 (2245 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ASHINGTON, England – Applause and cheers broke out in celebration of the life of Jack Charlton as thousands of people gathered in a former mining community in northern England before the funeral of the 1966 World Cup winner on Tuesday.

Ashington, a town in the northeast of England, came to a standstill as the funeral cortege made its way through the streets and well-wishers paid their final respects to Charlton, a local hero who died July 10 at the age of 85.

People threw flowers on the hearse and the procession slowed as it passed close to the street where Charlton and his younger brother, Bobby, lived and played football in the back lane.

People line the streets as the funeral cortege of former England soccer player Jack Charlton passes through his hometown of Ashington, in Northumberland, England Tuesday July 21, 2020 ahead of his funeral service in Newcastle. Charlton, who won the World Cup playing for England in 1966 and also managed the Ireland team taking them to the World Cup in 1990 and 1994, died on July 10 aged 85. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Bobby Charlton, who was also in England’s World Cup-winning team, was not well enough to attend the service at Newcastle Crematorium. A floral tribute from him and his wife, Norma, was placed next to the coffin, saying: “Rest in peace Jack, sending our deepest sympathy.’”

The coffin was draped by scarves of England’s football team and also those of Ireland, which Jack Charlton coached to its first major tournaments.

Nicknamed “Big Jack” and celebrated for his earthy “beer and cigarettes” image, Charlton was Footballer of the Year in England in 1967. He spent all his club career at Leeds from 1952-73, tying its all-time record of 773 appearances. He won every domestic honour, including the league title in 1969.