With every single Irish supporter currently on a low following the disappointing defeat to Luxembourg, a nostalgic trip down memory road might just be in order.
Well, Virgin Media have an evening that's dedicated to the glory days of the boys in green and of course, in the middle of it all was the iconic Jack Charlton.
Aside from the Irish premiere of the documentary Finding Jack Charlton on Virgin Media One at 9pm, the station has also partnered with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland for a wonderful fundraising initiative.
Throughout this week, they've been undertaking a Donate for Dementia campaign which will help raise awareness and vital funds to support people with all forms of dementia including Alzheimer’s which affects half a million Irish families.
Of course, Charlton himself suffered from the illness in his later life and Gabriel Clarke's documentary captures how the Charlton family dealt with the diagnosis.
Incredibly emotional and compelling, the documentary was filmed during the last 18 months of Jack Charlton's life and details his previously undocumented life with dementia.
In doing so, it provides an intimate portrait of an extraordinary man: an English World Cup-winning legend, who became an Irish hero.
Shot on location in Ireland and England, the film also explores Jack’s life with dementia. This contemporary narrative forms a central theme of the story, offering an intimate, compelling insight into Jack the man and the challenge faced by thousands of families universally.
The documentary features key characters from throughout Jack’s career, with contributions from Jack’s family for the first time, including his wife Pat and son John.
They are supported by major figures in football, music, film and politics, enabling the exploration of the major pillars of Jack’s life: Jack & England, Jack & Ireland, and Jack & his brother, Sir Bobby Charlton. Contributors include former players Andy Townsend, Paul McGrath, Niall Quinn, David O’Leary and Packie Bonner, U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr., politician Bertie Ahern, comedian Brendan O’Carroll and more.
Significantly, Jack’s family have given access to detailed, hand-written notes that Jack made and kept safe throughout his career. These personal thoughts are an intimate window into Jack’s managerial philosophy and offer a new level of understanding into ‘Finding Jack’.
Multiple sources of revealing, unseen archive footage have also been uncovered, captured behind the scenes with Jack and the Ireland team during the World Cup in 1990 and on the road to their qualification for the 1994 World Cup in the USA
The documentary also features contributions from Jack’s family for the first time, including his wife Pat and son John.
The feature also has unseen archive footage, capturing behind the scenes with Jack and the Ireland team during the World Cup in 1990 and on the road to their qualification for the 1994 World Cup in the USA.
After the documentary airs, two more features are also being shown on Virgin Media.
After a week of fundraising and awareness for the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland, Donate For Dementia will remember Big Jack with some of those who knew him best. The show will also reveal the total amount raised and thanking all those who donated for dementia.
Finally, at 23.15, Jackie's Army will feature interviews with legends of the Irish 1990 and 1994 World Cup campaigns as they sit down to talk about the man who made it all possible, Jack Charlton.
For those interested, they can donate to The Alzheimer Society of Ireland by texting MEMORY to 50300 to donate €4.
A reminder that Finding Jack Charlton airs at 9pm on Virgin Media One.
