Football says farewell to former Preston manager and England World Cup winner Nobby Stiles as his funeral takes place in Manchester

The funeral of England World Cup winner and former Preston North End manager Nobby Stiles took place in Manchester today.
Nobby Stiles' funeral cortege drives past Manchester United's Old Trafford groundNobby Stiles' funeral cortege drives past Manchester United's Old Trafford ground
Nobby Stiles' funeral cortege drives past Manchester United's Old Trafford ground

Stiles passed away on October 30 at the age of 78, after a long illness.

The funeral cortege drove past Manchester United's Old Trafford ground - one last journey past a ground where he made his name as a player - before the service at Manchester Crematorium Southern Cemetery.

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Stiles was in the England team which won the World Cup in 1966, his tenacious midfield play key to helping Sir Alf Ramsey's side to glory at Wembley.

Tributes to Nobby Stiles at Manchester United's Old Trafford groundTributes to Nobby Stiles at Manchester United's Old Trafford ground
Tributes to Nobby Stiles at Manchester United's Old Trafford ground

Two years later at the same venue, Stiles lifted the Europen Cup with Manchester United - a team he won the league twice with.

After leaving United to join Middlesbrough, Collyhurst-born Stiles moved to Preston in 1973 in a player-coach role.

He made 50 appearances for North End on the pitch before taking a full-time coaching role during Harry Catterick's time as boss.

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Stiles was appointed PNE manager in the summer of 1977 and in his first season led them to promotion from the Third Division.

In the Second Division, Stiles guided North End to seventh and 10th place finishes, before they were relegated in the 1980/81 season.

He later coached Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada before returning to England to manage West Bromwich Albion.

He returned to United as a youth team coach under Sir Alex Ferguson in 1989 for a four-year stint, working with the famed 'Class of 92'.

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Later in life, Stiles suffered a series of health issues, including a dementia diagnosis.

In 2010, after a mini-stroke, Stiles decided to sell his medals in order to leave something to his family.

United bought them for £200,000 and the medals are now housed in the club's museum.

There will be a tribute to Stiles at Wembley tonight ahead of England's international friendly against the Republic of Ireland.

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