The England shirt worn by Sir Bobby Charlton at the 1966 World Cup Wembley semi-final could bring in £100,000 at auction this month.
Sir Bobby, who died at the age of 86 on October 21, was part of England’s victorious 1966 World Cup team and helped Manchester United become the first English club to win the European Cup in 1968.
The signed shirt, described as a hugely important piece of football memorabilia, will be offered by Derbyshire-based Hansons Auctioneers on November 14, with a guide price of £50,000-80,000.
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It was worn by Sir Bobby in the 2-1 victory over Portugal on July 26 1966, when he scored both goals in front of more than 94,000 spectators at Wembley – four days before England’s historic victory over West Germany in the final.
Auctioneer owner Charles Hanson said the shirt had been scheduled for Hansons’ November sporting auction for some time prior to his death.
He said: “News of his loss came as huge shock to us all. We were deeply saddened. He was a football legend admired by millions.
“This was the shirt worn by an iconic player whose goals put England into the World Cup final and beat Eusebio’s Portugal.
“It’s a tribute, it’s a memory and Sir Bobby’s legacy will live on. I hope it’s bought by the National Football Museum and put on permanent display or, perhaps, Manchester United.
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“It’s an ever-present reminder of what Sir Bobby did for his country.
“Memories of England’s World Cup win in 1966 will never leave us. We are a proud footballing nation and Sir Bobby was part of the unforgettable team who achieved the ultimate glory.
“His 1966 World Cup shirt is a hugely important piece of football memorabilia. We could see bids reaching £100,000.
“It comes to us thanks to a West Midlands man who was a Littlewoods Pools winner in the early 1990s.
“He decided to invest in football memorabilia and bought the shirt for £9,200, equivalent to around £20,000 today, at a London auction in 2000.
“It was offered at what now seems a modest estimate of £10,000-£15,000.
“But that was 23 years ago, demand for football memorabilia has soared, England’s 1966 World Cup glory has never been repeated and respect felt for Sir Bobby is immense.”
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David Wilson-Turner, head of sports memorabilia at Hansons, said: “England has some of the most passionate football fans in the world and I’m sure many would love to own Sir Bobby’s shirt.
“It deserves to excel because not only was it worn by one of the greatest England players of all time it marks a magical moment in sporting history, the one and only time England have won the World Cup.
“England’s epic 4-2 victory over West Germany took place 57 years ago. Nevertheless, fans constantly reminisce about 1966, the year England was recognised as the best footballing nation in the world.
“The shirt was originally donated by Sir Bobby to a charity auction after the 1966 World Cup. He autographed it, personally dedicated it to the successful bidder and confirmed he wore the shirt in the game against Portugal.
“In 2022 Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God shirt’, worn to score a goal for Argentina against England at the 1986 World Cup, sold for a record £7.1m.
“That was the highest price ever paid for a piece of sports memorabilia. In honour of Sir Bobby’s passing it would be wonderful to see his Number 9 shirt exceed all expectations.
“Hopefully we can give this item the justice it deserves.”
Northumberland-born Sir Bobby Charlton, 86, was a midfielder and winger renowned for his attacking instincts and ferocious long-range shots.
He played most of his club football at Manchester United and earned 106 England caps, three as captain.
Thanks to his success at club and international level, he is one of only nine players to have won the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League and the Ballon d’Or.