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World Cup-winning England legend Jack Charlton dies aged 85

London, Jul 11 (efe-epa).- World Cup-winning former England and Leeds United player Jack Charlton has died at the age of 85, his family said Saturday.

The former player and manager had suffered from lymphoma and dementia in his latter years.

Charlton played alongside his brother Bobby Charlton in England’s 1966 World Cup win on home soil. England beat West Germany 4-2 in the final.

A central defender, and nicknamed the “giraffe” because of his stature, Charlton spent his entire playing career with Leeds United, making 773 appearances and scoring 93 goals.

With Leeds he won a league title, an FA Cup and a League Cup.

He was born in Ashington in northeast England in 1935.

As well as helping to win England’s only World Cup, Charlton reunited with his brother to play in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

After retiring as a player, he went on to manage Middlesborough, Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle United.

But perhaps his most successful stint came with the Republic of Ireland national team between 1986-1995. He led the team to the 1988 Euros and the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

In a statement, his family said: “Jack died peacefully on Friday 10 July at the age of 85.

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