Charles Jackson

Commerce, Investments & Sports. Governance. Risk. Tech. Sports: Chelsea ⚽️exCST Board, Surrey Cricket/MCC 🏏Yankees ⚾️ Broncos🏈 USA MBA🎓 Views own!

[Charles Jackson @charlesgjackson]

@KieranMaguire So sorry for you and your ‘gang’s’ loss. Condolences to his family & friends + community. Rest in Peace ‘Evil’ - Paul would be proud of you all ❤️‍🩹

[Kieran Maguire @KieranMaguire]

Why does football mean so much to fans?

It’s part of our culture. Every two weeks

The same pub
With the same mates
Sat around the same table
Telling the same jokes
Remembering the same incidents
From the same matches
And the same unrepeatable stories
About the same nights out
And reminiscing about the same gigs, and the same albums, from the same bands
And planning the same trips
To the same away grounds
Where we will sit in the same pubs

…until one of you isn’t there.

When the message came through ‘Paul’s passed away’ my first reaction was ‘Who is Paul?’, the reply ‘Paul is Evil’

I knew him as Evil because that’s how he was introduced over 40 years ago. His nickname is Evil because he was the nicest guy amongst us.

No agenda, no side, never complained, always positive, always modest, never trying to be the Alpha Male.

All the wives and girlfriends loved him the most of the gang too, because he was always the one that would ask the right questions and be able to speak beyond the sport, music, drink conversations that so many male gatherings descend to.

So today is his funeral, he is just 61, and we’ll raise a glass or two and celebrate us being lucky enough to have him as a mate.

It will hit worse when it’s the first match of the season at @OfficialBHAFC as there’s a group of lads who are STH that all sit together, and one of those seats will be empty, and you’ll feel beyond crap.

Football is the glue that binds us together, but it’s also the most important of the unimportant things in life, as friends, family and health mean so much more.

Rest In Peace Evil, we’ll be crying later today because we love you.

[Charles Jackson @charlesgjackson]

RIP Kevin Keegan. May he Rest in Peace and rise in glory that he tore up defenders in his prime. My thoughts are with his family and what a man and player. ⚽️⚽️🙏🙏🕊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[James @Surreycricfan]

In 1968 Sir Gary Sobers became the first batter to hit 6 sixes in an over. RIP Sir Gary Sobers, gone, but never forgotten 💔😢🏏

[Surrey Cricket @surreycricket]

Sir Garfield Sobers, one of the greatest to grace our wonderful game.

Sobers scored 249 runs and took 12 wickets in four Test matches at the Oval, and was a regular visitor at the ground after retiring.

We send our best wishes to his friends and family.

[Mia Amor Mottley @miaamormottley]

It is with profound sadness that I join Barbados, the Caribbean and the cricketing world in mourning the passing of The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers, our Sir Garry.

From Bay Land to Kensington and onto the world stage, he carried Barbados and the West Indies with distinction. He made us all stand a little taller as Barbadians, and I will always be grateful for what he gave to our country and our people.

I extend my deepest condolences to his family and all who loved him.

Today has been declared a Day of National Mourning. Flags will be flown at half-mast, no official functions will take place, and details of the State Funeral will be announced.

Barbados stands. The West Indies stand. The world stands.

Well played, Sir Garry. Well played.

[Cricketopia @CricketopiaCom]

“I think he was unquestionably the best cricketer.”

~ Sir Don Bradman on Sir Gary Sobers

[ICC @ICC]

'𝘼𝙧𝙜𝙪𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙖𝙢𝙚'

High praise for a phenomenal cricketer, Sir Garfield Sobers ✨

[Windies Cricket @windiescricket]

A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers. 🖤🏏

[Lawrence Booth @BoothCricket]

RIP Garry Sobers, the greatest all-round cricketer in the game’s history

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Ken Bates saved Chelsea. Not only back in 1982 when Bates rescued the club from potential oblivion. But still now, even following the sad news of his passing aged 94, Bates’ legacy continues to protect Chelsea. He created the CPO, Chelsea Pitch Owners, which safeguards the future of the stadium.

Bates achieved much in an extraordinary life. He fought to protect the FA Cup, fought for the new Wembley to be built, stabilised Leeds United and fought for smaller clubs but his greatest legacy revolves around Chelsea. Combative, controversial, loyal and principled in his way, Bates was driven by a desire to prove himself, to make something of himself, to take on the establishment in its varied forms.

Much of this drive stemmed from memories of growing up without parents (his mother died, his father disappeared and he was raised by his grandparents) and frustration at a childhood disability destroying his dream of making it as a footballer at Arsenal. He'd been a good attacker.

It was April 2 1982, when Bates rescued Chelsea. He spoke to the club bankers who’d run out of patience. “We have two cheques here,” the bank told Bates. “One is for the share of the (FA Cup) gate which has to go to the FA. And one is the players’ wages. Which one can we bounce?”

He came in, invested money to tide the club over and started cutting costs. Entering the Bridge boardroom for the first time pre-match, Bates was shocked to see the number of guests, the feast laid on, even a cigar box being passed around at a club losing £12,000 a week. Chelsea even had a club chauffeur. Not for long.

Bates’ cost-cutting was brutal but vital. Chelsea recovered, fought off property developers through Bates’ strength of personality, established themselves as a force in the Premier League and became more involved in European competition. Bates loved Chelsea. He loved entertainers. His favourite was Gianfranco Zola because the Italian played with a smile, dribbled and lit up stadiums and fans’ lives.

Even after selling to Roman Abramovich in 2003, taking over Leeds where his cost-cutting (and Chelsea past) alienated many fans, and then living in retirement with his beloved Suzannah in Monaco, Bates would try and return to watch matches at the Bridge. He kept a flat full of mementos nearby.

On the sideboard was a framed copy of Bates’ CPO share. One day while Chelsea chairman, a fan shouted about the possibility of “your grandson sells the land for houses”. Bates’ initial reaction was, typically, “You ungrateful bastard”.

But he realised that was a very real threat – the Bridge was prime London land. Developers craved it. So Bates created the CPO; it now numbers 13,000 fans owning 23,000 individual shares (Thomas Tuchel has one) and a large majority would be required to vote for any change in use of the pitch. And they aren’t for change. As Bates intended.

We last spoke on May 18. Ken sounded frail but was typically opinionated on the footballing issues of the day. Bates had his difficult side, vendettas and views, but he was passionate about family, football and Chelsea FC. RIP, Ken.

[Charles Jackson @charlesgjackson]

@piersmorgan Pickford the ‘Hand of God’ today. Wonderwall of a defensive effort by the Lions

[FIFA World Cup @FIFAWorldCup]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England advance to the final eight.

#FIFAWorldCup

[Charles Jackson @charlesgjackson]

@onlyapound Pickford - Hand(s) of God and incredible Wonderwall of a defensive effort against 49 crosses … lions 🦁

[Charles Jackson @charlesgjackson]

Pickford the ‘Hand of God’ - rear guard action. Bellingham brilliant 2 goals and defensive block. Incredible game in these conditions. Lions roar into quarter final of the World Cup.

[Charles Jackson @charlesgjackson]

@WG_RumblePants I presume the football pitch was on the Vauxhall end but not seen a photo further ages with an aerial ‘winter’ shot either from the FA Cup Final era of Victorian or between war club matches

[Surrey Cricket @surreycricket]

Happy New Year from the Kia Oval! 🎇

92 days until the 2026 season gets underway! 🙏

🤎 | #SurreyCricket

[Charles Jackson @charlesgjackson]

@patmurphybbc @5liveSport En of an era. Magnificent job You’ve been a beacon across every decade and great service to update and inform. Enjoy a long, Happy and Healthy retirement; And, no doubt taking in the some play ! Go well and thank you, Sir

[Charles Jackson @charlesgjackson]

@FelixJohnston_ Congrats Felix! Well done. Keep working hard and learning. Fantastic you’ve been given a chance and all the best at Como