THE younger brother of World Cup heroes Bobby and Jack Charlton said he hopes to make them ‘proud’ by representing his country at football.

Tommy Charlton was at Burnley Football Club’s training ground on Saturday, attempting to break into the over-60s national walking football team.

Tommy, 71 and a grandfather-of-six, plays for The Mature Millers walking football club in Rotherham, and said it would be ‘very satisfying’ to represent his country at football.

He said: “I’ve been so proud of Bobby and Jack over the years and they’ve done really wonderful things.”

Tommy, a former winger in local amateur football, had to retire from the game aged 24 due to injury. He was just 20 when he watched his two older brothers help England beat West Germany 4-2 and win the 1966 World Cup at Wembley.

He said: “I would really love it if I could do one thing they’re proud of me for and that would be very satisfying.”

With more than 1,100 clubs and an estimated 35,000 players, walking football is the fastest growing sport in the UK.

The sport has very specific rules that outlaw all running and allow either no contact or only minimal physical contact between players.

Tommy said he would ‘give it his best shot’ to get into the national team.
He said: “I’m nearly 72 and there are lots of people coming today who are good players, so I’m under no illusion how tough it will be. But I’ll give it my best shot and it’s nice to come to Burnley for this marvellous event. Walking football is going to be big and there are significant physical and mental health benefits to it.

“There are nearly 1,000 teams in this country and leagues and it’s also going global.”

The event was the third of four trials taking place to select the best 20 players to play for England. Those selected will play in an inaugural international game, against Italy in May, and a European competition is planned next year.

Stuart Langworthy, manager of the over-60s national walking football team, said: “Tommy knows he’s up against it, as he knows the quality of the local players, never mind the national scene.

“But he is a real ambassador of the sport and his presence is a great way of raising awareness.

“This is a brilliant event and we are so lucky to have this venue."

Also taking part in the trials was Alan Kennedy, former Liverpool title-winning defender who scored the winning goal in the 1981 European Cup Final against Real Madrid.