Sir Bobby Charlton and brother Jack seen together for the first time in years as England 1966 heroes attend funeral of World Cup team-mate Ray Wilson


SIR BOBBY CHARLTON and his brother Jack were seen together for the first time in years as England’s 1966 World Cup heroes paid their respects at the funeral of team-mate Ray Wilson.

Wilson, often described as England’s greatest ever left-back, died last month after a battle with dementia, aged 83.

Bobby Charlton leaves the Huddersfield Crematorium after the funeral of fellow 1966 World Cup winner Ray Wilson
Bobby Charlton leaves the Huddersfield Crematorium after the funeral of fellow 1966 World Cup winner Ray Wilson
PA:Press Association
Defender Jack Charlton shows signs of emotion at the funeral of his England team-mate
Defender Jack Charlton shows signs of emotion at the funeral of his England team-mate
PA:Press Association

Sir Bobby and Jack made a rare appearance together, with the pair involved in a long-standing family feud.

The duo fell out 22 years ago as Jack accused his younger brother of failing to visit their mother Cissie ahead of her death, after Bobby’s wife Norma had argued with her.

In a book released in 2007, Bobby said comments that Jack made about Norma were “absolutely disgraceful” and “mistaken”.

World Cup final hero Sir Geoff Hurst was also among the mourners at the service at Huddersfield Crematorium, in the town where Wilson made his name as a player.

Sir Bobby Charlton was among the mourners at the funeral of Ray Wilson
Sir Bobby Charlton was alongside his wife Norma Ball
PA:Press Association
Ray Wilson celebrates with the World Cup trophy after England beat West Germany 4-2 in the final in 1966
Ray Wilson celebrates with the World Cup trophy after England beat West Germany 4-2 in the final in 1966
Hulton Archive - Getty
Ray Wilson, one of the members of England's 1966 World Cup winning side, died last month after a battle dementia
Ray Wilson, one of the members of England’s 1966 World Cup winning side, died last month after a battle dementia
PA:Press Association
Sir Geoff Hurst travelled up to Yorkshire to pay tribute to his old team-mate
Sir Geoff Hurst travelled up to Yorkshire to pay tribute to his old team-mate
PA:Press Association

They were joined by World Cup winning team-mate Gordon Banks at the service today.

Wilson was born in Derbyshire and played for Huddersfield Town, Everton, Oldham Athletic and Bradford City.

He played for England 63 times and was the side’s oldest player in the 4-2 win over West Germany in the World Cup Final.

Wilson began his career at Huddersfield, and after spending 12 years with the Terriers he left to join Everton in 1964.

Gordon Banks was another of the 1966 side who paid their respects at Huddersfield Crematorium
Gordon Banks was another of the 1966 side who paid their respects at Huddersfield Crematorium
SWNS:South West News Service
Gordon Banks waves at onlookers as he attends the funeral of Ray Wilson
Gordon Banks waves at onlookers as he attends the funeral of Ray Wilson
SWNS:South West News Service

But two years later would undoubtedly prove to be the absolute pinnacle of his career.

The left-back won the FA Cup with the Toffees just weeks before going on to win the ultimate accolade with his country.

Unfortunately for Wilson he would suffer a number of injuries in the years that followed and he was granted a free transfer to Oldham in 1969.

He played 25 times for the Latics before going on to join Bradford City 12 months later – taking caretaker charge of the team briefly also – but retired in 1971.

After he retired from the game he ran an undertakers, keeping a lower media profile than his England team-mates, and lived in Slaithwaite near Huddersfield.

He and his widow Pat had two sons.

His family has asked for donations to be made to the Alzheimer’s Society in lieu of flowers, and asked people not to wear black.

Roger Hunt joins his England team-mates in conversation before the service
Roger Hunt joins his England team-mates in conversation before the service
SWNS:South West News Service
Ray Wilson, front of picture, was the oldest member of the England World Cup winning team
Ray Wilson, front of picture, was the oldest member of the England World Cup winning team
Getty - Contributor
Sir Bobby Charlton leaves the service with fellow mourners
Sir Bobby Charlton leaves the service with fellow mourners
Mercury Press

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