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The life of former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton is to be commemorated by a special postmark applied to mail sent in England and Ireland.
The former Leeds United defender, who won the World Cup with England in 1966, died on July 10 aged 85.
After a successful career in England, as a manager he helped lead the Republic to their first major tournament finals in the late-1980s and early-1990s.
To commemorate his contribution to both nations, the Royal Mail and the Irish postal service An Post have collaborated for the first time to create a postmark in his honour.
The postmark, which reads “Jack Charlton, 1935 – 2020”, will be applied across stamped mail posted in England and the Republic of Ireland until August 9.
Stuart Simpson, chief executive at Royal Mail, described Charlton as a “football hero” in both countries.
Highlighting the postal services’ first-time postmark collaboration, he added: “The commemoration of the life of Jack Charlton is a fitting occasion to do so.
“Jack was an integral member of England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad and played a key role in the Republic of Ireland’s football history.
“We would like to extend our condolences to the family of Jack Charlton from everyone at Royal Mail.”
David McRedmond, chief executive at An Post, said: “Jack Charlton will always have a special place in the hearts and minds of Irish people.
“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.”
