Nobby Stiles: England 1966 World Cup winner and Manchester United legend dies

England World Cup winner Nobby Stiles has died at the age of 78.

The legendary former Manchester United midfielder was a vital part of the Three Lions squad that won the country’s first and so far only World Cup in 1966.

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Stiles played every minute of England’s World Cup triumph

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Stiles with Bobby Moore as England celebrate their 1966 success

A statement issued by the Stiles family on Friday read: “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, who played every minute of England’s World Cup triumph, is known for neutralising the threat of Portuguese star Eusebio in the tournament’s semi-final.

In total he won 28 caps, scoring one goal.

Stiles was born in Collyhurst, Manchester, in May 1942, during an air raid. He agreed apprentice terms with United in 1959, at a time when the club was still recovering from the Munich air disaster a year earlier in which eight players were killed.

He won league titles with the Red Devils in 1965 and 1967, before the continental success the following year.

Stiles left United in 1971, going on to play for Middlesbrough and Preston. He later managed the Lilywhites between 1977 and 1981, before coaching Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps and then West Brom between 1985 and 1986.

He returned to United as a youth team coach under Sir Alex Ferguson in 1989 for a four-year stint.

Stiles was a great character and shares a laugh with Bobby Charlton in their Manchester United days

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Stiles was also a former youth coach at Man United

Stiles suffered a series of health issues in later life, including a dementia diagnosis.

In 2010, after a mini-stroke, he decided to sell his medals in order to leave something to his family.

United bought them for £200,000 and the medals are now housed in the club’s museum.

Former England midfielder Peter Reid was one of the first to pay tribute to Stiles on social media. “Nobby Stiles RIP,” he tweeted, alongside a heart emoji.

Former England striker Gary Lineker paid tribute to Stiles, singling out the former Manchester United player’s heart.

“Saddened to hear that Nobby Stiles has passed away,” Lineker tweeted.

“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.”

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The world has lost a true football icon

Meanwhile, England’s official Twitter account wrote: “We’re incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Nobby Stiles, a key member of our @FIFAWorldCup-winning squad, at the age of 78.

“All of our thoughts are with Nobby’s loved ones.”

Manchester United tweeted: “We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Nobby Stiles MBE.

“An integral part of our first-ever European Cup-winning side, Nobby was a titan of the club’s history, cherished for his heart and personality on and off the pitch. He will be sorely missed by us all.”