Football icons have gathered for the funeral of World Cup winner Ray Wilson as mourners paid tribute to ‘England’s greatest left back’.
Sir Geoff Hurst, Gordon Banks and Sir Bobby Charlton were among those who travelled to WIlson’s hometown of Huddersfield for a memorial service today.
The three legends were teammates with Wilson, who died after a battle with dementia aged 83 last month, when England famously won the World Cup in 1966.
Wilson was born in Derbyshire and played for Huddersfield Town, Everton, Oldham Athletic and Bradford City.
He played for England 63 times and was the side’s oldest player in the 4-2 win over West Germany in the World Cup Final.
Sir Geoff Hurst (pictured left) and Sir Bobby Charlton (right, with his wife Norma) were among those who travelled to WIlson’s hometown of Huddersfield for a memorial service today
Former England footballer Ray Wilson, pictured in 2017, died aged 83 after a battle with Alzheimer’s
Wilson, pictured lifting the World Cup in 1966 alongside his teammates, was England’s starting left-back in the tournament and the oldest outfield player
After retiring he went on to have a successful career as an undertaker in Huddersfield, pictured
After he retired from the game he ran an undertakers, keeping a lower media profile than his England team-mates, and lived in Slaithwaite near Huddersfield.
He and his widow Pat had two sons.
His family has asked for donations to be made to the Alzheimer’s Society in lieu of flowers, and they have asked people not to wear black.
In his later years, Wilson was awarded an MBE for his services to football in 2000 alongside England World Cup-winning teammates Alan Ball, Nobby Stiles, George Cohen and Roger Hunt.
Wilson was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2008 by a select committee of former footballers.
He was not well enough to attend the 50th anniversary dinner two years ago with his fellow World Cup winners at the new Wembley.
Wilson was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2004 but still attended Huddersfield home games until very recently.
The Terriers released a special kit during the 2016-17 promotion-winning campaign in honour of their legendary former player which featured a print of Wilson’s signature.
Everton also paid tribute to their former player, describing Wilson as ‘unquestionably one of the finest footballers to wear the royal blue jersey.’