Memories of Big Jack
The footballing journey of Jack Charlton’s Republic of Ireland side in the late ’80s and early ’90s was an experience unlikely to ever be forgotten by anyone who followed it closely. Big Jack was of course best known for having starred as a key figure in England’s legendary World Cup-winning team of 1966. To win the World Cup was a mighty achievement, the pinnacle of any player’s career.
Irish fans, however, would probably argue that in leading Republic of Ireland to their first European Championship finals in1988 and to their first World Cup finals in 1990, Jack the manager more than matched his achievements as a player. What is for sure is that Jack was the kingpin in an unforgettable moment for Irish football.
As a journalist, I followed Republic of Ireland’s progress at the1988 European Championship in Germany, at the
