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Crerand leads tributes at Stiles' funeral

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Nobby Stiles (Getty)
Nobby Stiles (Getty)

Manchester United great Paddy Crerand paid an emotional tribute to his former team-mate Nobby Stiles at the 1966 World Cup winner's funeral on Thursday.

Former United and England midfielder Stiles died in October at the age of 78 following a long illness.

As well as his role in England's only World Cup triumph, Stiles was also part of the United side which became the first English club to win the European Cup in 1968.

"Nobby was one of the great characters of football and not just Manchester United. Everything was a laugh with Nobby," Crerand said.

"On the pitch he made tackles you would get arrested for today, never mind sent off. But he was a terrific footballer and did not get the credit of just what a good player he was."

There was expected to be a tribute to Stiles ahead of England's friendly against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley on Thursday.

Stiles earned 28 England caps, made over 300 appearances for United and won top-flight titles with the Old Trafford club in 1965 and 1967.

He joined Middlesbrough in 1971 and went on to manage Preston, West Bromwich Albion and Vancouver Whitecaps.

 

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