Jack Charlton probably did more to normalise the relationship between England and Ireland than any political or religious leader and he is still creating special bonds even in his passing.
From today and for the next three weeks all letters posted in Ireland and Britain will be marked by a special postmark that pays tribute to him.
It is the first time such bilateral activity has taken place since Irish independence and it is a measure of the impact he had in both countries for being who he was and doing what he did that it should be so.
“Jack Charlton will always have a special place in the hearts and minds of Irish people,” said David McRedmond, CEO of An Post.
“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.”
“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 for one will be sending a card to mark the occasion.
Watch out as well tomorrow when a campaign to play ‘Put em under pressure’ and wear something green at 1230pm will aim to provide a community reminder of what he meant to everyone within and beyond Irish sport.
