LEGEND'S WISH
My dad was proud Englishman but he’d be rooting for Ireland, icon’s son says before emotional journey to ‘special’ spot
Plus how you could WIN tickets to Ireland v England clash
THE son of Ireland legend Jack Charlton hopes to roar on the Boys in Green to victory over England in Dublin next month.
We can reveal that the publican son of Big Jack is set to make an emotional journey to the Aviva Stadium for the visit of the Three Lions.
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Ireland will welcome England to Dublin on Saturday September 7 in the first competitive meeting between the two sides since 1991.
Big Jack became a Green Army icon after his incredibly successful spell here, having previously won the World Cup with the Three Lions, before securing his legacy as an honorary Irishman.
Son John is now hoping to make a pilgrimage to the Aviva Stadium, where his dad enjoyed the greatest spell of his managerial career, with his own offspring Tom, 15.
READ MORE IN BIG JACK
He told us: “I’m coming over for the England game with my son who has never been.
"We are both really looking forward to it, it should be a great occasion. Ireland is very special to our family.
“We’re still in touch with many people in Ireland, we have many fond memories of what my dad achieved there.
“My mum and dad both had Irish passports as well as their British ones and that’s the one they always used.”
MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN
And asked who the iconic Give It A Lash legend would have been rooting for, he beamed: “No doubt, the Irish.
“My dad was a proud Englishman and had great success but his time with Ireland was something special.
“Ideally he’d have wanted both countries to qualify but he’d want Ireland to get a result against England.”
Ireland and England will kick-off the next edition of the Nations League against each other in their first competitive meeting since 1991.
England will host the return fixture on matchday six on November 17th, with the pool completed by Finland and Greece.
Ex-Ireland stars Jack Grealish and Declan Rice can expect a mixed reception from the Lansdowne Road faithful, while Lee Carsley will take charge as England interim manager for the first time, having turned down approaches from the FAI last November.
John added: “I’ve heard it said that my dad could have gotten Grealish and Rice to play for us and I do think there is something to that.
GOALS LIVE! WIN IRELAND V ENGLAND TICKETS
FOOTBALL legends Tony Cascarino, Stuart Pearce, Andy Reid and Neil
O'Riordan will join The Irish Sun’s first live football preview event on Tuesday September 3 ahead of the Republic of Ireland v England match in The Aviva that weekend.
Goals Live 2024, in association with TonyBet and hosted by well-known sports commentator Dave McIntyre, promises to be an evening of entertainment, discussion, analysis and lively debate as the
panel delves into the upcoming big match between football rivals the Republic of Ireland and England.
The event, which is for over 18s only, will take place in The Camden, Dublin 2, from 6.15pm – 9pm.
The ticket includes a complimentary drink for attendees and each ticketholder will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a pair of match tickets to the big game in the Aviva on Saturday September 7.
Tickets are just €5 and available to purchase HERE.
“He had a great way with people, players wanted to play for him.
“That was the effect he had. I think he would have made a big difference.”
The last time Ireland faced England - then managed by Gareth Southgate - was a friendly in November 2020, with a 3-0 win for Harry Kane and co. in Wembley.
England were then relegated to League B of the Nations League after a difficult campaign in 2022.
This will be the first competitive meeting between the sides since 1991, when Italia 90 icon Niall Quinn scored in a 1-1 draw.
Ireland will face familiar opposition in Greece, who they lost to home and away in the European qualifiers. Former Greece manager Gus Poyet was one of the names linked to the Ireland job before Heimir Hallgrimsson’s surprise appointment.
Hallgrimsson - who famously steered Iceland to the Euro 2016 quarter-final by beating England - has already predicted his new side have what it takes to topple the Auld Enemy in his debut outing.
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