Charlton brother Tommy walks into England trial
THE younger brother of England’s 1966 World Cup winners Bobby and Jack Charlton has been handed an England call-up – at the age of 71.
Tommy Charlton is having a trial for the national over-60s walking football team on Saturday, 52 years after his brothers won soccer’s biggest prize.
Tommy was 20 when Bobby and Jack helped England triumph at Wembley in the famous 4-2 extra-time victory over West Germany.
Now the grandfather-of-six will be hoping to follow in their footsteps as he takes part in the England trial in Burnley.
Tommy was a winger for a local amateur team in his youth but was forced to retire because of a knee injury in his mid-20s.
Five years ago, he started playing walking football for The Mature Millers club in Rotherham.
He will now attempt to earn a place in the England side.
He said: “I’m very excited about the trials and showing some of my skills.
“I love playing the game and often get asked if I’m mad by Bobby, Jack and my family.
“But I’ve built great relationships thanks to walking football and hope to break into the England team.
“Hopefully, I’ll perform well but it’s going to be very difficult to make it into the squad as there are so many experienced walking footballers plying their trade at the moment.”
The game, which features teams of five or six and outlaws running and any contact above the minimal, is one of the fastest-growing sports in Britain, Brothers, from left, Jack, Tommy, Gordon and Bobby. Right, Jack and Bob in 1966 with more than 1,100 clubs and around 35,000 players.
Tommy added: “There I was, just sitting on the settee, watching the telly, not being active. I was being a couch potato.
“But this has really changed my outlook on life. I’m totally different now. I’m active, I’ve got mobile again and it’s amazing and all down to this football.”
Tommy will be joined at the England trial by former Liverpool defender Alan Kennedy, 63.