Jack Charlton to be commemorated with special postmark in Ireland and the UK

Former Irish soccer manager Jack Charlton is due to be commemorated for his contribution to both Ireland and England with a special postmark, featuring a collaboration between An Post and Britain's Royal Mail.

Charlton cemented his status as a key figure in football history after winning a World Cup winner's medal while playing for England in 1966 before going on to manage Ireland's international squad.

He curated a legendary career by leading the Republic of Ireland soccer team to their first major tournament finals in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

An Post and Britain's Royal Mail are now working together for the first time to create a postmark in Jack's honour.

The postmark reads 'Jack Charlton, 1935-2020', and will be applied across stamped mail posted in Ireland and England from Monday, July 20 until August 9.

"Jack Charlton will always have a special place in the hearts and minds of Irish people," said An Post CEO David McRedmond.

"He gave our nation many of our happiest and proudest moments.

"Jack was the greatest example of a culture shared across these islands: that a proud Leeds player, a tall English football hero could become an Irish legend," McRedmond added.

"That's why it is so fitting that he should be the subject of the first joint postmark between An Post and the Royal Mail."

"We would like to extend our condolences to the family of Jack Charlton from everyone at Royal Mail," said Stuart Simpson, CEO of the British institution.

"Jack was an integral member of England's 1966 World Cup winning squad and played a key role in the Republic of Ireland's sporting history."

Charlton's funeral is due to take place in his native Northumberland tomorrow.