48 For extra news go to www.thecatholicuniverse.com Sport (SWIFT) Like us on facebook - search Catholic Universe Newspaper Why ‘Big Jack’ deserves to be called ‘great’

Dr Colm Hickey for not being Irish. You couldn’t win. with Middlesbrough and 1-0 win was the day that Irish foot - It was troubling and confusing. Wednesday. Yet the answer to the ball arrived on the world stage and it In multi-racial Britain identity can England had won the World Cup in question was he great? is unques - was the day when second genera - be fragile and easily mocked. ‘An 1966 while Ireland had never ever tionably ‘yes’ and this is why. tion Irishmen found their identity Englishman, Irishman and Scots - qualified for any tournament. Yet Appointed Ireland manager Charl - and could proudly say, with an Irish man walked into a pub…’ is the start football was to play its part in giving ton knew that the team contained name, and in an English accent: ‘I’m of countless racist jokes which belit - second generation Irish people born talented players. The problem was Irish!’ Taunts that ‘You’re not Irish’ tle Irish people. In England in the in Britain a sense of identity and that there were not enough of them. no longer had any affect. Jack Charl - 60s, 70s and 80s they were common pride. The man responsible was Jack He began picking second generation ton started that. Greatness is not to place. Between 1971 and 1996 there Charlton, but was he ‘great’? players born in Britain. For too long do with what you get, the caps, the were 65 IRA bombings on the main - The word great is both a noun and the FAI had been insular rarely se - fame or the money; it’s about what land so it was hard for second gener - an adjective. Someone can be great lecting any British born players. you give. The giving has got to be ation Irish children growing up in in the sense that their achievements Charlton changed all that. He transformative changing the way England. It was not ‘cool’ to be Irish: stand far above everyone else like wanted to end a series of plucky people think act and feel about you were ridiculed, called stupid, Pele, but it has another meaning. ‘moral victories’. Playing meant themselves. It’s less about donation jeered for going to Mass, and even When someone describes a ‘great’ feet of clay. competing, and competing meant and all about inspiration, how their mocked for your name. guy, he’s not talking about what the certainly had feet of winning. It was ironic that it took an actions change you. What pride was there in being person has achieved, but of his val - clay. He was outspoken; he argued Englishman to make the FAI see Some argue that Charlton was just Irish in England? For many self- ues and of his influence. It’s their with his managers, and he was a bit what was staring them in the face, a ruthless pragmatist who exploited preservation kicked in, Seamus positive impact which allows us to of a rebel. He won the World Cup that there was talent in Britain and the rules for his advantage and while would become James and support call them great. Notice though that and gained 35 caps for England but that they should use it. The result of it is true that he was and he did, he England. It was easier, safer, more although he will be described as a other players won more. In all hon - this policy, allied with his tactical once asked, showing an empathy comfortable. On holiday to Ireland ‘great’ guy there is no attempt to de - esty his league managerial record nous, meant that Ireland qualified that many would not think his gruff visiting cousins you were mocked scribe him as perfect. We all have was not impressive: two promotions for its first ever football tournament, nature would allow, ‘why should the Euro 1988, when it was drawn children of Irish people who had against England in the first group been forced to emigrate be denied game. their right to play for their county?’ Christy Moore’s, Joxer goes to Charlton revolutionised Ireland. Be - captures the significance of tween 1956 and 1986 only 13,000 the match: were on the Irish Foreign Births Reg - Ah, next morning none of the ex - ister. Between 1986 and 1994 30,000 perts gave us the slightest chance, were added. Writing in The Irish They said that the English team Times, Fintan O’Toole explained would lead us on a merry dance. ‘sport has become a crucial means Ah with their union jacks all them of self-definition and soccer is the English fans for victory they were set, most important of all. In a country Until got the ball and like Ireland… the effect is even he stuck it in the net. greater…The mongrel nature of the What happened next is history, team which has come from , brought tears to many eyes, and Manchester as well as Oh that day will be the highlight of from Irish towns and cities is the many people’s lives. best representation of what it means Well Joxer climbed right over the to be Irish now.’ top and the last time he was seen, St Francis of Assisi taught that: ‘It Was arm-in-arm with Jack Charlton, is in giving that we receive.’ Charlton singing ‘Revenge for Skibbereen’. gave Irish people born outside of Of the 14 people in the Irish squad Ireland the courage and confidence that day, eight were born outside Ire - in their heritage and identity to be land: Chris Morris, (Cornwall) Mick able to say proudly ‘I’m Irish’. For McMcCarthy, (Barnsley), Chris that he received the affection of a Houghton, (Forest Gate), Ray nation and was made an honorary Houghton, (Glasgow), Paul McGrath, Irishman. The wheel turned full cir - (Greenford), , (Hudders - cle. ‘Big Jack’ was now one of us. Be - field), , (), cause of what Jack Charlton did for Two brothers from Glasnevin, play football in front of a new mural of the late Jack Charlton, by artist Niall Kevin Sheedy, (Built Wells, Wales) Ireland he was a very great man in - O’Lochlainn, at Dalymount Park home of Bohemian FC in . (PA photo/Brian Lawless) and Jack Charlton (). The deed. Jack Charlton honoured with special postmark in England and Ireland Tom Pilgrim ton, 1935 - 2020”, will be applied across special place in the hearts and minds of “That’s why it is so fitting that he should stamped mail posted in England and the Irish people. be the subject of the first joint postmark be - The life of footballing hero Jack Charlton is Republic of Ireland until 9th August. “He gave our nation many of our happiest tween An Post and the Royal Mail.” commemorated by a special postmark ap - Stuart Simpson, chief executive at Royal and proudest moments. Following the announcement of Charl - plied to mail sent in England and Ireland. Mail, said Charlton was a “football hero” in “Jack was the greatest example of a cul - ton’s death, tributes poured in from his for - The former United defender, who both countries. ture shared across these islands: that a mer clubs and the wider football family. won a World Cup winner’s medal while play - Highlighting the postal services’ first- proud Leeds player, a tall English football Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: “He was ing for England in 1966, died on 10th July time postmark collaboration, he added: hero could become an Irish legend. an iconic figure on and off the pitch, in Eng - aged 85. “The commemoration of the life of Jack land and Ireland.” After a successful career in England, as a Charlton is a fitting occasion to do so. English Football Association chairman manager he helped lead the Republic of Ire - “Jack was an integral member of Eng - Greg Clarke said Charlton was “a true giant land to their first major tournament finals land’s 1966 World Cup winning squad and of English football”, adding: “He left an in - in the late 1980s and early 1990s. played a key role in the Republic of Ireland’s delible impression on our national game To commemorate his contribution to football history. and was guaranteed an affectionate and both nations, the Royal Mail and the Irish “We would like to extend our condolences Undated handout photo issued by Royal warm welcome wherever he went”. postal service An Post have collaborated for to the family of Jack Charlton from every - Mail of a special postmark applied to mail In a statement, his family said he led an the first time to create a postmark in his ho - one at Royal Mail.” sent in England and Ireland to “extraordinary life” and remembered him as nour. David McRedmond, chief executive at An commemorate the life of footballing hero a “thoroughly honest, kind, funny and gen - The postmark, which reads “Jack Charl - Post, said: “Jack Charlton will always have a Jack Charlton. (PA photo/Royal Mail) uine man who always had time for people”.

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