Wor Bobby is up there with Jack

Surviving brother shares memories

- JEREMY ARMSTRONG

FOR most of the world, it was the day they said goodbye to a legend of football and one of England's greatest ever players.

But to Bobby Charlton's family, yesterday was a time of grief and deep personal loss.

The only surviving Charlton brother joined 1,000 mourners celebrating the life of "Wor Bobby" in Manchester Cathedral yesterday.

In just three short years, Tommy Charlton, 77, has lost all three of his older siblings - Sir Bobby, fellow LOSS Tommy England world cup winner Jack and their brother Gordon.

As the world remembered an all-time great for his skill, grace and shooting power, Tommy told of the hero off the pitch. He said: "He never had a bad word to say about anyone and no one had a bad word to say about him.

"These past couple of weeks, I have had the chance to reflect on his life. "He was just a wonderful man.

He added: "I know he will be up in heaven and I am sure Jack will see him again." He recalled how Bobby bought him a ticket for the 1966 World Cup final, much-prized at 15 shillings. But he gave it away because he couldn't afford to travel to London.

"I wasn't earning much money then," recalled Tommy, who was 20 at the time and working at Lynemouth Colliery in his native Northumberland.

"I decided to give it to the first person who asked and it was my foreman at the pit, known as 'Old Norman' Conn.

He was in his sixties then but he cycled all the way to London for the final and all the way back again.

"He stayed in youth hostels on the way down. I knew Bob would be impressed. I could not take any money for it. Bob had given it to me.