A statue of North East football legend Jack Charlton will be unveiled in his home town this weekend.

Crowds will gather at the ceremony on Saturday at Ashington FC’s Hirst Park as part of a football festival celebrating the town’s footballing heritage.

Charlton spent his entire 21-year playing career at Leeds, making a joint club record 773 appearances, before retiring as a player in 1973 and going on to enjoy a successful and colourful career as a manager.

One of English football's most popular and larger-than-life characters, he had spells in charge of Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and the Republic of Ireland, who he guided to their first major finals at Euro 88 and two more in the space of ten years.

He spent his later years living in his native Northumberland, often seen in the local café or enjoying a spot of fishing.

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Ashington Council has commissioned the new sculpture to look out onto the football fields where he learned his craft.

The Northern Echo: He spent his later years living in his native Northumberland, often seen in the local café or enjoying a spot of fishing.He spent his later years living in his native Northumberland, often seen in the local café or enjoying a spot of fishing. (Image: PA)

Chair of Ashington Town Council, Cllr Mark Purvis said: “As someone who has seen many footballing tributes and statues, I can honestly say that this is one of the best. I am proud to have been involved in this project from the start and I know that the pride I feel will be felt by everyone on Saturday.

“The work is exceptional, not only of the statue, but the linked project to celebrate Ashington’s Footballing Heritage. We are a rightly proud of our sporting legacy and thanks to this project, we are sharing the stories, and hopefully inspiring more to come.”

The event will also welcome three icons of the game, Leeds legend and ambassador Eddie Gray; Newcastle United's former captain, Bob Moncur; and Newcastle United and Sunderland legend, Bryan 'Pop' Robson.

Ashington Town FC host a football festival with teams from Ashington, Bedlington, Cramlington, Ellington and Ponteland all taking part.  

The statue unveiling will take place at 10am with the football festival kicking off at 10:30am.

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