So proud of Bobby and Jack all my life

Brother Tommy reveals Lady Norma phoned him to break the sad news

- JEREMY ARMSTRONG

THEY were loved by football fans all over the world, but no one is prouder of the legendary Charltons than their little brother Tommy.

The 77-year-old fought back tears as he described growing up with World Cup winners Sir Bobby, who passed away aged 86 on Saturday, and Jack, who died aged 85 in 2020.

Tommy revealed Bobby's widow Lady Norma called early on Saturday to tell him of her husband's death.

He was so upset that his wife Carol called former Leeds United star Jack's widow Pat, 88, to pass on the news.

"Throughout my life, from being a little boy, I have never felt anything other than pride in both of Jack and Bob," said Tommy, of Rotherham, South Yorks.

"Being the youngest, Jack was a big, towering guy, my big brother, I looked up to him growing up. And I respected Bob's integrity and intelligence. You could talk to him about any subject.

"I am a little bit annoyed that football took them away from me when we were young. From the age of 10, I would see them when they came home from their clubs, or we went to visit. Other families were growing up together." Tommy described Bobby as a sporting icon revered around the world, and a "wonderful" human being.