Northern Ireland

Story of Jack Charlton and Italia '90 to be told in new film

Former Republic of Ireland Football manager Jack Charlton signing copies of his DVD 'Italia 90 Revisited' in 2008. Picture by Julien Behal/ PA Wirer
Former Republic of Ireland Football manager Jack Charlton signing copies of his DVD 'Italia 90 Revisited' in 2008. Picture by Julien Behal/ PA Wirer Former Republic of Ireland Football manager Jack Charlton signing copies of his DVD 'Italia 90 Revisited' in 2008. Picture by Julien Behal/ PA Wirer

A NEW documentary about former Republic of Ireland football manager Jack Charlton will be released in cinemas next summer to mark the 30th anniversary of the team's first ever World Cup.

The squad, led by Charlton, made it through to the quarter-finals of Italia '90 before losing to Italy 1-0.

The film will give an inside view into Charlton’s career and the legacy of the Republic of Ireland team.

A Leeds United player for almost all of his club football days, he was also a member of the England team that won the 1966 FIFA World Cup.

The Charlton family has teamed up with the Noah Media Group for the film, with Charlton's former Republic captain Andy Townsend among the executive producers.

The Noah Media group are makers of Bobby Robson: More Than A Manager and Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans.

Charlton’s son John said he was “delighted to be working with Noah Media Group on what will be the definitive film on my father’s life”.

"It will be fascinating to see how the film links his life as a husband, father and brother to his incredible achievements in football, as both a player and a manager," he added.

The feature-length film will be co-directed by Gabriel Clarke (Bobby Robson: More Than A Manager) and Pete Thomas (Euro 2016: Sounds of the Summer).

"I remember Jack Charlton being as surprised as anyone when he got the Ireland manager's job in 1986," said Mr Clarke.

"What followed changed lives, altered careers and transformed a nation and it is a privilege to team up with the Charlton family and so many of those who made it possible to get to the heart of this funny, emotional and inspiring story."