Jack Charlton funeral: Brother Bobby sends heartfelt letter after being unable to say goodbye due to health reasons

JACK CHARLTON'S family have said goodbye to their beloved husband, father and grandad as wellwishers packed the streets of his hometown for the England hero's funeral.

Brother Bobby was unable to attend the service due to health reasons.

He left a touching message alongside a wreath that read: "Rest in Peace Jack.

"Sending our deepest sympathy. In our thoughts, Bobby, Norma and Family."

Charlton's coffin left the family home in Dalton at around 9am and was met by a police escort in Ashington before heading into the town centre.

The hearse was met by hundreds of emotional residents of all ages who paid their respects by applauding the coffin as it passed by.

It made a stop outside Hirst Welfare Centre where Jack played football as a child before continuing to the crematorium in Newcastle.

The coffin was then carried inside the church while Jack's wife Pat followed behind.

Charlton died aged 85 surrounded by his family on July 10 after a battle with illness.

Coronavirus restrictions meant that only 20 of his family and closest friends were able to attend the service.

Residents hung England and Ireland flags on fences with messages written on such as "legend" and "Ashington's favourite son."

Inside the hearse were flowers in the shape of a football with an England scarf draped over the coffin.

And the celebrations of his life continued in Ireland's capital in Dublin as hundreds gathered to sing songs as they reminisced over his managerial triumph.

The former centre-back was part of the legendary England side that won the 1966 World Cup alongside brother Bobby.

He made his debut for Leeds in the old Division Two in 1953 and went on to become the bedrock of the great Leeds side built by former manager Don Revie.

Charlton then helped them win the First Division title in 1969 and the FA Cup in 1972.

Jack spent his entire club career at Leeds United from 1950 to 1973 - making 773 appearances.

Internationally, he won a total of 35 caps for England, scoring six goals for his country and was appointed an OBE in 1974.

Charlton retired from playing at the end of the 1972/73 season having scored 96 times for Leeds to make him the club's ninth highest scorer.

He went on to become the manager of Newcastle United for the 1984-85 season.

Charlton resigned in 1985 and in December of that year he became the first non-Irish manager of the Republic of Ireland.

He became an unlikely national hero as he steered Ireland to their first major finals at Euro 88 in West Germany and two years later led them to their first World Cup finals at Italia 90.

Charlton, already hugely popular for getting them there, won the hearts of a nation and the rest of the footballing world as his side reached the quarter-finals.

He went on to lead the Republic to the 1994 World Cup finals in the USA.

The tournament brought one of the most famous victories in Irish football history when they beat pre-tournament favourites Italy 1-0 in New Jersey.

Charlton was then awarded honorary Irish citizenship in 1996 for his achievements.