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Nobby Stiles has died at age 78

The Manchester-born World Cup-winning England midfielder has sadly died at aged 78 after a long illness.

The Manc The Manc - 30th October 2020
Manchester United / Getty

Manchester-born World Cup-winning England midfielder Nobby Stiles has sadly died at aged 78 after a long illness.

The former Manchester United player had prostate cancer and advanced dementia.

Stiles is the seventh member of the England team that started the 1966 World Cup final against West Germany to die, after captain Bobby Moore, Alan Ball, Ray Wilson, Gordon Banks, Martin Peters and Jack Charlton.

Stiles – who hailed from Collyhurst – was made an MBE in 2000.

A statement issued by his family said: “The Stiles family are sad to announce that Nobby Stiles passed away peacefully today surrounded by his family after a long illness.

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“The family kindly ask for privacy at this sad time.”

At club level, Stiles made almost 400 appearances for the Red Devils between 1960 and 1971, winning two English league titles and the 1968 European Cup during an 11-year career, before going on to play for Middlesbrough and Preston North End.

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He retired as a player in 1975.

He then moved into management with Preston between 1977 and 1981, and had a brief spell in charge at West Bromwich Albion during the 1985-86 season.

In 1989, Manchester United asked him to return as youth team coach, and he helped develop players such as club legends Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville.

Rest in peace, Nobby.