The family of the late Jack Charlton have backed the Mirror's campaign for the legendary former Leeds United defender to receive a posthumous knighthood, along with the rest of England's 1966 World Cup-winning team.
Roger Hunt's death last year left three surviving members from the historic 4-2 victory over West Germany at Wembley - Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Geoff Hurst and George Cohen. Bobby and Geoff are the only two players to have been knighted, while manager Sir Alf Ramsey received the honour in 1967.
Jack Charlton sadly passed away on July 10, 2020, and his widow Pat and son Peter have discussed the need to recognise an epic 'team effort' after a statue was unveiled in Jack's memory in his hometown of Ashington, Northumberland.
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"I always thought he was a 'Sir'. It would be lovely if they could do it. The Irish made him an honorary citizen, they have been tremendous, it is like being made a Sir in Ireland," his wife Pat told the Mirror.
His son Peter added: "It was a team effort. I think they should all have been given it. There were so many great players in that team, you can go through the whole line-up."
However, the rules would have to change in order for any deceased players to receive knighthoods, as they currently cannot be awarded posthumously.
The England team of 1966 were all made MBEs but five players - Nobby Styles, Alan Ball, Roger Hunt, Ray Wilson and George Cohen - did not receive their honours until 2000. Jack Charlton, Gordon Banks and Bobby Moore also got OBEs, and Jack was awarded his honorary Irish citizenship in 1996.
Jack Charlton spent his entire playing career at Leeds - amassing a club record 773 competitive appearances for the Whites. The defender was a crucial figure during a golden era for the club under the legendary Don Revie.
He was an ever-present at the heart of defence as the Whites won six trophies, including the First Division and FA Cup in 1969 and 1972 respectively. Jack Charlton was also a success in management - leading both Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday to promotion as he managed over 500 games for both clubs combined.
Jack Charlton spent one season at Newcastle United and then went onto enjoy a decade at the helm for Republic of Ireland. He guided ROI to their first major tournament at the 1988 European Champions, before leading them to back-to-back World Cups in 1990 and 1994, where they reached the quarter-final and Round of 16 respectively.
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