Veterans of Jack's army hold reunion

NOSTALGIC SOCCER fans queued up in Dublin yesterday to meet the man whom they credited with once lifting "the soul of Ireland".

Former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton was in the HMV store on Henry Street to sign copies of the DVD documentary, Italia 90 Revisited.

One admirer, Ross Kerr from Howth, was bashfully clutching his dog-eared copy of Jack Charlton's World Cup Diary. "He signed it for me on my 13th birthday back in 1990. It's my 31st tomorrow," he admitted.

Another fan, Philip Carroll from Ballyfermot, was bundled up in a green, white and gold scarf.

"When we were down in the dumps, he lifted the soul of Ireland. We never thanked him enough for what he done for us, all those great memories. We'll never have another manager like him."

Naturally, debates about the performance of the current Ireland manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, were breaking out in the queue.

"Bring back Jack," Brian Byrne from Glasnevin proposed.

Charlton himself described Trapattoni as a very bright man who "knows what the business is about".

The pair met recently at a hotel near the airport and had a "good natter, mainly about football".

Referring to criticism of Trapattoni from some quarters, including TV pundits, after the 1-0 win against Cyprus, he said: "Typical Irish to start moaning when you've won. Well, some Irish, one in particular."

Charlton's fondest memory of Italia 90 was not an event on the football field but rather talking soccer with the goalkeeper-turned-pope, John Paul II.

"He said he wasn't very good. I said, 'You didn't play on Sunday, did you?' and he said, 'No'. A very nice, good man."

Some of those who turned up to meet Charlton were too young to recall the emotional events of Italia 90. "I wasn't even born," said Jonny Ranson (15), from Clontarf. Kristina Mooney (21), from Drimnagh, said: "I don't remember it actually happening, but my Dad showed me most of the matches."

She said she had a soft spot for the former manager. "He's the grandad everyone wants."