Jack Charlton funeral: Thousands line Ashington streets - BBC News
Crowds clap as the World Cup winner's cortege passes through the former mining town of Ashington.
The funeral cortege was warmly welcomed as it arrived in Ashington

Thousands of people lined the streets of football great Jack Charlton's hometown to pay their respects ahead of his funeral.

Former Republic of Ireland boss Charlton, who won the World Cup playing for England, died on 10 July aged 85.

He was born in Ashington, Northumberland, and often returned to the former mining town.

Well-wishers applauded and cheered as the cortege passed through the streets, with many waving flags and banners.

His family said they had been "overwhelmed" by the support shown and added "he would have been thrilled by the outpouring of kindness".

People threw flowers on the hearse as it passed slowly through the town where he and his younger brother Sir Bobby honed their football skills.

The procession slowed as it passed close to the terraced house on Beatrice Street where the Charltons once lived and played in the back lane.

One floral tribute marked Charlton's wearing of the number 5 shirt in the 1966 World Cup final

Floral tributes in the hearse included a football and a red England shirt with "Jackie 5" on it.

The cortege then made its way to a private service at a crematorium in Newcastle, where just a small number of relatives attended due to coronavirus restrictions.

The family said Sir Bobby had not been well enough to be there.

Jack Charlton was "incredibly proud" of Ashington, his son said

Newcastle United, Leeds United, Ireland and England scarves were draped over the coffin as it was carried into the crematorium

In a eulogy at the service, his grandchildren, Emma, Kate and Tom Wilkinson, paid tribute to "a proud Englishman, a proud northerner and a proud honorary Irishman".

"The footballer, the friend, the family man we all knew was forged in Ashington - during a happy childhood with the parents and three brothers he always loved dearly.

"As they whiled away hours kicking a ball around Hirst Park, Grandad could never have imagined how remarkable his life would go on to be."

Referencing him dropping to his knees at the end of the World Cup final in 1966, they added: "Many have often wondered what he was thinking - was it pure elation? Was it the gravity of the achievement?

"Was it relief that the hopes of a nation had been realised? Well he always told us he was just bloody knackered."

A message from brother Sir Bobby was among the many tributes

The former Leeds United defender had been diagnosed with lymphoma in recent years and was suffering from dementia.

In more than 20 seasons with the club, he made 773 appearances and won the 1969 league title and the 1972 FA Cup.

He later found success managing the Republic of Ireland, but his family said while his achievements brought him recognition "he always had his feet firmly on the ground".

"It's clear that the many fleeting moments of kindness he showed to strangers had a lasting impact, and we're extremely proud to be able to say that the man everyone met is the man we knew.

"A man who struck the balance so perfectly between football icon, fan favourite and loving family man."

Speaking before the funeral, his son John said: "Many will know now that, as a family, we wanted to give local people the opportunity to say goodbye to Jack, and pay their respects before he's laid to rest.

"Jack was incredibly proud of his hometown, which is why we made the decision to take the funeral cortege around Ashington."

Flags and banners celebrating his involvement with the World Cup win have been placed around the town

As soon as the funeral car appeared, the hundreds of people on Alexandra Road started to applaud and cheer. One of the town's most famous sons was home.

A Northumberland piper accompanied the cortege part of the way. It was a tribute that brought his family to tears.

These are strange times. The family requested that people kept their distance from each other and wore a mask. Despite the pandemic, everybody here left their home or took the morning off work to pay their respects. That's how much he is loved in this part of the world.

They all have a story about Jack Charlton too - a time he turned up at the local pub, or when he shared his packed lunch when he was out fishing.

Football defined him, but his personality also made him a local hero.

Messages of love for Charlton were evident on flags around the town

One youngster paid tribute by having "Wor Jackie" painted on his back

Peter Mather, a 68-year-old semi-retired bricklayer, stood on the route of the funeral with a sign saying "Howay Wor Jack".

He said: "I lived over the road from here and I vividly remember watching the World Cup final.

"At the final whistle, he went to his knees, a big hard man like that showing such emotion. I'll never forget it."

Charlton (centre) and his team-mates cemented their place in English football history in 1966

Bobby and Jack Charlton leave their mother's house in Ashington for a civic reception after the World Cup win in 1966

He spent his entire playing career at Leeds United and is seen here challenging his brother Bobby in action for Manchester United

The funeral procession left the Charlton family home in Dalton, Northumberland, and was met by a police escort in Ashington before going along Newbiggin Road into the town centre.

It stopped outside Hirst Welfare Centre, where Charlton and Sir Bobby played football as children, before travelling to the crematorium.