SIR Bobby Charlton’s iconic England shirt from the 1966 World Cup has been sold at auction for an eye-watering £59,000.
An online bidder nabbed the historical jersey from Hansons Auctioneers based in Etwall, Derbyshire.
Sir Bobby wore the jersey when he bagged a brace in front of 94,000 fans at Wembley against Portugal to send England through to the to the World Cup final.
England then defeated West Germany 4-2 in the final to lift their only World Cup to date.
The shirt was sold for £59,040 by Derbyshire-based Hansons Auctioneers and had an initial guide price of £50,000-£80,000.
A minute of silence was held at the auction for one of football’s greatest ever players.
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The former Man Utd legend passed away after a battle with dementia just a week after his birthday.
Robson’s heartbroken family confirmed that Sir Bobby “passed away peacefully” during the early hours of Saturday morning, surrounded by his loved ones.
Legends from across the footballing world gathered to celebrate the life of the World Cup hero at Manchester Cathedral.
United legends Sir Alex Ferguson, Roy Keane, Steve Bruce, Paul Scholes, Mark Hughes and Peter Schmeichel were all in attendance at the service at Manchester Cathedral on Monday.
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Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “We’re pleased to have been able to find this important shirt a new home.
“We hope it enhances memories of the tremendous role he played in the 1966 World Cup as the nation celebrates his life.”
He added: “This was the shirt worn by an iconic player whose goals put England into the World Cup final and beat Eusebio’s Portugal.
“It’s a tribute, it’s a memory and Sir Bobby’s legacy will live on.
“I hope it’s bought by the National Football Museum and put on permanent display or, perhaps, Manchester United.
“It’s an ever-present reminder of what Sir Bobby did for his country.
“Memories of England’s World Cup win in 1966 will never leave us.
“We are a proud footballing nation and Sir Bobby was part of the unforgettable team who achieved the ultimate glory.
“His 1966 World Cup shirt is a hugely important piece of football memorabilia.
“We could see bids reaching £100,000.
“It came to us thanks to a West Midlands man who was a Littlewoods Pools winner in the early 1990s.
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“He decided to invest in football memorabilia and bought the shirt for £9,200, equivalent to around £20,000 today, at a London auction in 2000.
“But that was 23 years ago, demand for football memorabilia has soared, England’s 1966 World Cup glory has never been repeated and respect felt for Sir Bobby is immense.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
