It has been a couple of World Cups since he was here last but the years have been kind enough - despite the pressure. Or is there that much pressure these days? 'Certainly not like Newcastle. I know exactly what Kevin Keegan has to live with, day in and day out. It is so intense at Newcastle, more so than anywhere else I have been or seen,' mused Jack.

One of the most surprising aspects of the Cole move was the fact that Keegan did not even bother to wait until after the third round replay against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup.

Jack does drop into St James' Park now and again - as listeners to BFBS can testify to on Saturday nights - but has never had any doubts that he did the right thing when he walked away from the manager's job.

His long - by soccer standards - association with the Republic of Ireland is much more to his taste. He is a Freeman of the City of Dublin, officially an Honorary Irishman - unlike a few million Americans who claim that particular honour - and, more recently, received a Doctorate of Science from Limerick University.

Frankly, I think his greatest claim to fame is not the 1966 World Cup medal with England or his mighty feats with Leeds United and managerial wizardry with Ireland - but the countrywide poll that decided he was the most popular man in the Emerald Isle. The odds on an Englishman doing that would normally be on a par with winning the Mark Six twice in a row.

But he is not the first Englishman to become a Freeman of Dublin. When receiving this signal honour, the titbit of information was unearthed that 150 years earlier another gentleman from across the Irish Sea had been given the keys to the city.

He was a plumber. Dublin at the time was awash in water - as opposed to the distinctive black beverage much beloved of its inhabitants - and the plumber in question did such awesome work that the problem was solved.

Jack rightly received his accolade for putting his adopted country on the world football map for the first time in its existence.

To spend a few hours with Charlton is to realise that at least part of the world of football is still in the right hands.

Chatting to Charlton brings back other memories, too - and particularly when talking about Newcastle United.

One of the most memorable of all international matches played in Hong Kong involved the Magpies and the Pele-led Santos, back in December 1970. The film footage must be somewhere but one of the goals Pele scored that day would rank among his best - and that is saying something.

The game resulted in a win for Santos and some magical entertainment for the fans who paid out $1 million - the first time that figure had been reached in soccer gate receipts here. In the interim there have been a couple of Geordies to brighten up the local football scene and I was put in mind of one of them when reminiscing about Newcastle United.

Willie Coulsen was in the United squad that played Santos and came to Hong Kong about five years later. He was not the quickest you've ever seen but had the most gifted left foot . . . the kind that has defenders hiding behind the corner flag to get out of the way.

Like a few from that northern city, he had a penchant for sipping a Brown Ale or two, which is fine - unless there happens to be Saturday morning training at 7.30 am. That can be taxing but Willie was the type of lad who didn't want to miss anything - the ale or the training.

After an evening supping he retired to bed with two alarm clocks draped around his neck, set to go off at 7 am. They almost certainly did - but Willie never stirred.

Strong stuff that Brown Ale.