So, another legend from my childhood has left the building, aged 78. Nobby Stiles was one of the Manchester United players that won the league in 1967 and then the European Cup in 1968 (The first English side to do so), and although people such as George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton were the stars, they wouldn't have achieved this without the likes of Nobby Stiles in the team. Hard tackling, full of energy, prepared to sacrifice himself for the good of the team, but also able to play. Rather sadly, he had prostate cancer and dementia later in his life, and I attended a function hosted by his son John a few years ago, who spoke movingly about what it was like for Nobby and the family. I'm please that when Nobby decided to sell his medals and shirts, the relevant ones were bought by Manchester United for their museum, and achieved nearly half a million pounds for Nobby and his relatives. He was also one of the team that won the World Cup for England in 1966, but l'm not so bothered about that.
Toodle pip
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