A statue of football legend Jack Charlton will be unveiled in his home town next month.
Jack Charlton and his brother Bobby Charlton won the World Cup while playing for England in 1966. The former Newcastle United manager died in July 2020, aged 85.
The defender recorded 773 appearances in a career spanning more than two decades at Leeds, winning the First and Second Division titles, the FA Cup, League Cup, Charity Shield, Fairs Cup and World Cup.
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Charlton enjoyed spells in the dugout for Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday and managed the Magpies between 1984 and 1985. During a decade in charge of the Republic of Ireland, he led them to the European Championships and the World Cup.
Jack who was born in Ashington, Northumberland, and went to Hirst North School, grew up as part of a footballing dynasty. He was the elder brother of former Manchester United striker Bobby Charlton and the nephew of NUFC legend Jackie Milburn.
Two years on from his death, a statue of Jack Charlton and will now be unveiled in Hirst Park on Saturday, October 29. His wife Pat Charlton and her close family will attend the unveiling ceremony, organised by Ashington Town Council, as guests of honour.
Jack's family said: "Jack was very proud of where he came from and enjoyed coming home to Ashington. He would be delighted to have his statue as part of the Footballing Heritage Project in Hirst Park.
"As a family we have been overwhelmed by how much people cared about Jack and the efforts that have been made to remember him. We are excited to see the finished project and look forward to the unveiling of the statue."
Ashington Town Football Club, who are supporting the unveiling, will host a junior football festival on the day. Northumberland Football Association have sanctioned that local teams can play in the festival.
David Jones, Head of Football Development at Northumberland FA, said: "For the benefit of this important one-off local event, it is wholly appropriate to sanction this football festival on our ‘CPD Weekend’ to help community clubs and their young players celebrate Jack Charlton and Ashington’s footballing history."
Football fans, and residents of a certain age, remember Jack and Bobby Charlton as local heroes, with Jackie Milburn and Jimmy Adamson before them. Jack Charlton Statue and Footballing Heritage Project aims to bring the legacy of these players to life in Hirst Park, and to inspire the next generation.
.Northumberland County Council has supported the project with the site and capital investment.
Greg Gavin, Head of Neighbourhood Services, at the council said: "It is fitting that this important marker of the town's rich football heritage and the contribution its footballers have made to football nationally and internationally will be set in Hirst Park, the park where the Charlton brothers, Jackie Milburn and others practiced and played."
The unveiling ceremony will begin at 10am. Northumberland Piper, Beverley Palin, who played for the 1966 squad get together is confirmed, along with the Ashington Colliery Band. Ashington WI will support with refreshments, along with Full Circle Food.
The football festival will then kick-off at 10.30am. Civic Head, Cllr Bob Walkinshaw and visiting guests will present all teams with special mementos of the event.
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