England World Cup winner dies
Stiles, alongside George Best and Bobby Charlton, helped United beat Benfica at Wembley to become European champions for the first time
Stiles, alongside George Best and Bobby Charlton, helped United beat Benfica at Wembley to become European champions for the first time

(BBC) – World Cup-winning England midfielder Nobby Stiles has died aged 78 after a long illness.
The former Manchester United player had prostate cancer and advanced dementia.

Stiles is the seventh member of the England team that started the 1966 World Cup final against West Germany to die, after captain Bobby Moore, Alan Ball, Ray Wilson, Gordon Banks, Martin Peters and Jack Charlton.

Manchester-born Stiles was made an MBE in 2000.
A statement issued by his family said: “The Stiles family are sad to announce that Nobby Stiles passed away peacefully today surrounded by his family after a long illness.
“The family kindly ask for privacy at this sad time.”
Stiles won 28 caps for England and played a key role in neutralising Portugal star Eusebio in the 1966 semi-final, before another fine showing in the dramatic 4-2 extra-time win over West Germany.

“Hugely sad to hear Nobby has passed away,” said Sir Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in the final.
“Great character, and the heart and soul of the team, he will be sorely missed.”

At club level, Stiles won two English league titles and the 1968 European Cup during an 11-year career with Manchester United.
He made almost 400 appearances for the Red Devils between 1960 and 1971, going on to play for Middlesbrough and Preston North End before retiring in 1975.
He moved into management with Preston between 1977 and 1981, then had a brief and unsuccessful spell in charge at West Bromwich Albion during the 1985-86 season.
In 1989, United asked him to return as youth team coach, and he helped develop players such as Red Devils legends Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville.
“Rest in Peace Nobby. Thank you for all you did for us. You taught us how to fight for everything in that red shirt,” said Neville.
“Saddened to hear that Nobby Stiles has passed away,” said former England striker Gary Lineker.

“Another of our 1966 World Cup winning heroes leaves us. He had a heart that was even bigger than the gap in his teeth. RIP Nobby.”
The England national team said they were “incredibly saddened” to learn of Stiles’ death and that “all of our thoughts are with Nobby’s loved ones”.
Brian Kidd, who was one of the goalscorers when United won the European Cup in 1968, told BBC Sport: “It is so sad. We went to the same school and he was in the same class as my brother, so I have known him since I was a young boy.

“What you saw was him – a humble and modest human being. He was so down to earth.
“He was a very demanding team-mate. He expected you to produce, he didn’t mollycoddle you.
“As a coach he was unbelievable. He was an icon at the club and the kids all looked up to him.”

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