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