Angling community pays tribute to Jack Charlton

TRIBUTES have poured in from across the angling world for Jack Charlton, who recently passed away following a long illness. 

The 85-year-old, who was part of England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad, was a keen angler and dedicated a lot of his spare time to the sport after retiring. 

As well as creating the Jack Charlton Disabled Anglers Association to help introduce more handicapped people to fishing, he was also a staunch supporter of numerous angling clubs in his home county of Northumberland. 

David Munt, chairman of Billingham Angling Club, said:

“I remember approaching Jack back in 2003 to see if he would open our new club lake, the aptly named Charlton’s Lake – and he agreed.

“We’d only booked him for a couple of hours, but he ended up staying for four.

“He spoke to everyone and helped the youngsters. He was a true gentleman and we’ll never forget what he did.”

The club is now appealing to the local council to have a plaque placed at Charlton’s Pond in Jack’s memory. 

Jack attending a JC Disabled Anglers Association fishing day back in 2017.