‘He will remain in football folklore forever’: Leeds and England lead tributes to Jack Charlton as 1966 World Cup hero dies aged 85 after battle with lymphoma and dementia
- England 1996 World Cup winner Jack Charlton died aged 85 on Friday night
- Football mourned the loss on Saturday morning as they paid tribute to his career
- Charlton later went on to manage the Republic of Ireland and was well liked
- Leeds United, where he spent 21 years as a player, produced a tribute video
- Gary Lineker and Marcus Rashford were among those to pay tribute to Charlton
Leeds United and the England national team were among the first to pay tribute to Jack Charlton after the 1966 World Cup died at the age of 85.
The former defender, who went on to make a club record 773 appearances for Leeds United, passed away following a battle against dementia and lymphoma.
The England national team social media account revealed that the Football Association was ‘devastated’ by the news.
A statement read: ‘We are devastated by the news that Jack Charlton, a member of our World Cup-winning team of 1966, has passed away.
Leeds United lead tributes to legend Jack Charlton after he passed away at the age of 85
England said they were ‘devastated’ at news of Charlton’s passing as they paid condolences
‘Our deepest sympathies are with Jack’s family, friends and former clubs.’
Charlton was best known for his 21 years at Leeds United.
He is their club-record appearance maker and the Championship side produced a montage of his best moments for the club in a poignant tribute video.
In a statement, Leeds wrote in part: ‘Charlton’s contribution to the game and Leeds United will never be forgotten.
‘He will remain in football folklore forever and his records at Leeds United are unlikely ever to be surpassed.’
In action for Leeds against younger brother Bobby, of Manchester United in January 1969
He helped the Yorkshire club win the second division title in 1963-64 and then the first division in 1968-69.
This successful Leeds side also won the FA Cup in 1972, the League Cup in 1968 and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups in 1968 and 1971.
Manchester United, where Charlton’s brother Bobby played, tweeted their condolences along with a picture of the two brothers.
The club wrote: ‘We are extremely saddened by the passing of Jack Charlton, brother of Sir Bobby and member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team. Our deepest condolences go to all the Charlton family for their immensely sad loss.’
United striker Marcus Rashford also took to social media to pay tribute to ‘one of the greats’ in Charlton.
‘One of the greats,’ Rashford wrote, along with a broken heart emoji. ‘Thoughts are with Sir Bobby and the family.’
Charlton was part of the iconic England side which went on to win the 1966 World Cup
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford described Charlton as ‘one of the greats’
United added a statement of their own as they offered their ‘deepest condolences’ to his family
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker paid tribute to Charlton and his ‘infectious personality’
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker described the former Leeds defender as having. a ‘wonderfully infectious personality’ for those he was around in a glowing tribute.
Lineker wrote: ‘Saddened to hear that Jack Charlton has passed away. World Cup winner with England, manager of probably the best ever Ireland side and a wonderfully infectious personality to boot. RIP Jack.’
Despite not being called into the England team until days before his 30th birthday, Charlton won 35 caps and, playing alongside younger brother Bobby, lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy at Wembley in 1966.
He also helped England finish third at the 1968 European Championship and in between was voted the FWA Footballer of the Year in 1967.
In his post playing days, Charlton spent a period of time in charge of the Republic of Ireland national team.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said in tribute: ‘The FAI is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jack Charlton, the manager who changed Irish football forever. Our thoughts are with Pat and the family at this sad time.’
More to follow.
The FA of Ireland insisted that Charlton ‘changed Irish football forever’ for his time as manager
Charlton pictured in later life attending the funeral of former England keeper Gordon Banks