Sir Bobby Charlton was last night celebrated as having achieved “footballing immortality”, with figures from the worlds of sport and politics paying tribute after his death at the age of 86.
Charlton’s death means Sir Geoff Hurst is the only England player who started the 1966 World Cup against West Germany who is still alive. The former West Ham striker, the hat-trick hero of the 4-2 victory 57 years ago, wrote on social media: “We will never forget him and nor will all of football. A great colleague and friend, he will be sorely missed by all of the country, beyond sport alone.”
