Sir Bobby Charlton’s ‘difficult’ relationship with brother Jack – from sharing World Cup triumph to later growing apart

SIR Bobby Charlton, who has died aged 86, went from muddied pitches of the North East to lifting the 1966 World Cup.

And he shared much of his legendary football career with his brother, the late Jack Charlton.

GettyDespite rubbing shoulders throughout their careers, the brothers’ relationship was not straightforward[/caption]

GettyDespite their differences, the pair did embrace when they won the 1966 World Cup.[/caption]

But despite rubbing shoulders with Jack throughout Bobby’s stellar 27-year career, the brothers’ relationship was not straightforward.

The pair were born in Ashington, around 15 miles north of Newcastle, into a family with football in its blood.

Four of his mum Cissie’s brothers were pros, and her cousin was Newcastle United legend Jackie Milburn.

The Charlton boys quickly rose up through English football to become household names.

But personality differences left their relationship struggling.

Jack, with his outgoing and happy go lucky personality, clashed with sensitive Bobby.

Despite their differences, the pair did embrace when they won the 1966 World Cup.

But their relationship was strained when a rift developed between Jack and Bobby’s wife Norma Bell.

Bobby, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1966, accused Jack of siding with Cissie over her dislike of Norma, who she saw as strong-willed.

Norma thought Cissie was overbearing with her lads.

Throughout the 80’s, it was suggested that Bobby tried to avoid seeing his mum.

This included a training day of his which reportedly took place just 250 yards from the family home in Ashington.

Jack later accused Bobby of not visiting their mother before her death in 1996.

In 2007, Bobby accused Jack of “absolutely disgraceful” comments about Norma.

Bobby told the Guardian: “[Jack] came out in the newspapers saying things about my wife that were absolutely disgraceful. Nonsense.

“Ask anybody that ever met my wife: ‘hoity-toity’ is not a word they’d use.

“My brother made a big mistake. I don’t understand why he did it. He couldn’t possibly have known her and said what he said.

“I was astonished.”

Their relationship did recover and in 2008 Jack presented Bobby with a lifetime achievement award at BBC Sports Personality of The Year.

Jack died aged 85 in 2020 but Bobby was too ill to attend the funeral.

2018 Manchester United FCIn 2007, Bobby accused Jack of ‘absolutely disgraceful comments’ about Norma. (L)[/caption]

GettyBobby accused Jack of siding with Cissie over her dislike of Norma, who she saw as strong-willed[/caption]

GettyIn later years the Charlton brothers rekindled their relationship[/caption]