Jackie Milburn

Who was Jackie Milburn?

John Edward Thompson 'Jackie' Milburn, also known to football, particularly in the Northeast of England, as Wor Jackie. Translating from local dialect this means 'our Jackie' and to some he was 'the first World Wor' in reference to his global fame, as a football player for Newcastle United and England. Milburn remains Newcastle United's 2nd highest top goalscorer of all time with a total of 200 goals. After a very distinguished footballing career that made him an iconic figure in sporting circles in Northeast England and elsewhere, Milburn became a respected football journalist for the News of the World. Jackie Milburn became a Freeman of the City of Newcaste-upon-Tyne and another Tyneside footballing hero Sir Bobby Robson noted that he was proud to be made Freeman alongside Milburn and a Newcastle goal scorer from another era Alan Shearer. It is regularly reported that Milburn left a positive impression on everyone who saw him as a player, and everyone who met him as a man. As well as being made a Freeman of the City of Newcastle, a statue was placed on Newcastle's Northumberland Street, the main thoroughfare, to recognise his achievements.