Sir Geoff Hurst pays tribute to ‘heart and soul’ of 1966 squad

ENGLAND World Cup final hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst has described Nobby Stiles as the “heart and soul” of the 1966 team after news broke of the iconic midfielder’s death.

The former Manchester United midfielder who lived close to Old Trafford has died aged 78 after a long illness and Cheltenham’s Sir Geoff led the tributes to his former team mate.

Sir Geoff scored a hat-trick in the 4-2 win against West Germany but said he played with Stiles long before they joined Sir Alf Ramsey’s legendary World Cup winning team.

He recalled how he and Nobby played together as teenagers before joining the England team that went on to victory.

He tweeted: “Hugely sad to hear Nobby has passed away. We were playing together way back for the U17s, U23s, and of course, for England.

“In fact it was my first cap when Nobby scored, I think he was wearing No. 9!

“Great character, and the heart and soul of the team, he will be sorely missed.”

The footballer is the seventh member of the England team that started the World Cup final against West Germany to die.

Many said it is was his work in the middle of the pitch that allowed the likes of Hurst to shine.

Stiles was credited with playing a key role in neutralising the threat of Portuguese star Eusebio in the World Cup semi-final and the former West Ham star led the tributes from the world of football.

In total he won 28 caps, the lowest number of any of the World Cup-winning side.the

The centre-back also made 311 appearances for Manchester United and won two First Division titles and a European Cup, while he went on to play for Middlesbrough and Preston North End.

Stiles, who battled with Alzheimer’s, once said youngsters knew him better because of the time he took his false front teeth out and danced at Wembley holding the Jules Rimet trophy.

Many other giants from the game also paid tribute to the United veteran.

Gary Neville alluded to his reputation as a hard tackler and wrote: “Rest in Peace Nobby. Thank you for all you did for us. You taught us how to fight for everything in that red shirt.

“Your studs are your best friends out there.”

Former England striker Gary Lineker wrote: “Saddened to hear that Nobby Stiles has passed away.

“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.”

A statement issued by the Stiles family read: “The Stiles family are sad to announce that Nobby Stiles passed away peacefully surrounded by his family after a long illness.

“The family kindly ask for privacy at this sad time.”