The shirt worn by Sir Bobby Charlton in the 1966 World Cup semi-final will be auctioned later this month.
The signed top was worn by the football icon in the 2-1 victory over Portugal on July 26 1966, when he scored both goals in front of more than 94,000 spectators at Wembley, before England’s victory over West Germany in the final.
Sir Bobby died at 86 on October 21, prompting tributes from across the sporting world. An inquest on Wednesday concluded he died after a fall at a Cheshire care home.
The shirt, put up for auction before Sir Bobby’s death, is being sold by Derbyshire-based Hansons Auctioneers on November 14, with a guide price of £50,000-80,000.
In honour of Sir Bobby’s passing it would be wonderful to see his number nine shirt exceed all expectations. Hopefully we can give this item the justice it deserves— David Wilson-Turner, Hansons Auctioneers
David Wilson-Turner, head of sports memorabilia at Hansons, said: “England has some of the most passionate football fans in the world and I’m sure many would love to own Sir Bobby’s shirt.
“It deserves to excel because not only was it worn by one of the greatest England players of all time, it marks a magical moment in sporting history, the one and only time England have won the World Cup.
“England’s epic 4-2 victory over West Germany took place 57 years ago. Nevertheless, fans constantly reminisce about 1966, the year England was recognised as the best footballing nation in the world.
“The shirt was originally donated by Sir Bobby to a charity auction after the 1966 World Cup.
“He autographed it, personally dedicated it to the successful bidder and confirmed he wore the shirt in the game against Portugal.
“In 2022, Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God shirt’, worn to score a goal for Argentina against England at the 1986 World Cup, sold for a record £7.1 million.
“That was the highest price ever paid for a piece of sports memorabilia. In honour of Sir Bobby’s passing it would be wonderful to see his number nine shirt exceed all expectations.
“Hopefully we can give this item the justice it deserves.”
Sir Bobby is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, winning the World Cup, the European Cup – now the Champions League – the First Division, FA Cup and the Ballon d’Or, among many other titles.
In a stellar domestic and international career, he earned 106 England caps and scored 49 goals, the latter being the all-time record from 1970 until 2015.
His 1966 semi-final shirt was bought by a West Midlands man who won the Littlewoods Pools in the early 1990s, Hansons said.
I hope it's bought by the National Football Museum and put on permanent display or, perhaps, Manchester United— Charles Hanson, Hansons Auctioneers
It was bought for £9,200 – equivalent to about £20,000 today – at a London auction in 2000, where it had an estimate of between £10,000-15,000.
It was offered up for this month’s auction a year ago.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said he anticipates bids reaching £100,000.
He said: “News of (Sir Bobby’s) loss came as a huge shock to us all. We were deeply saddened. He was a football legend admired by millions.
“This was the shirt worn by an iconic player whose goals put England into the World Cup final and beat Eusebio’s Portugal.
“It’s a tribute, it’s a memory and Sir Bobby’s legacy will live on.
“I hope it’s bought by the National Football Museum and put on permanent display or, perhaps, Manchester United.
“It’s an ever-present reminder of what Sir Bobby did for his country.”
A memorial service celebrating Sir Bobby’s life will take place at Manchester Cathedral at 2pm on Monday November 13.
