22 January 2023 , 18:55
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Sir Bobby Charlton’s family have opened up about their heartbreak facing more deaths and dementia tragedy.
The football legend's brother Gordon recently died aged 79 following a battle with the condition as well as cancer.
Sadly, his brother Jack was struck by the same two illnesses before he died aged 85 in July 2020.
Now the youngest of the Charltons, Tommy, has also been diagnosed with dementia, according to the Daily Star Sunday.
It is understood the 76-year-old is currently in the early stages of the degenerative illness.
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Sir Bobby and his brother Jack were among the England squad who won the 1966 World Cup.
The former PNE player was so ill with advanced dementia that he could not attend Gordon’s farewell.
Jack’s son John, 63, said: "Gordon died about a month ago, of cancer, and he had dementia.
Sir Bobby, who played as a midfielder with Manchester United, at Old Trafford Stadium in 1968 (Popperfoto via Getty Images)"Tommy, who is the youngest brother – he’s got dementia."
He added: "Bobby was too unwell to go, but my mother went. It’s never nice when anybody dies – it was one of the family."
John spoke about Gordon’s death from his home in Cambois, Northumberland, reports Lancs Live.
Sir Bobby at the funeral of former Manchester United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Harry Gregg in 2020 (Getty Images)He also opened up about how the dementia has tragically hit all four Charlton siblings.
The 63-year-old encourages drive for more research into a link between headers and dementia.
But he stressed there is a lack of solid evidence linking headers to his family’s dementia curse.
He said: “Two of the Charlton brothers never headed a ball.
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England footballing brothers Jack and Bobby Charlton at Wembley Stadium in April 1966 (Mirrorpix)“The professor who was looking after my dad said that the only way you can have an association between heading and dementia is that there is a test you can do on the brain.
"But you have to do that when someone’s dead. I don’t know about this association of heading the ball (with dementia) and I still haven’t seen any proof or concrete evidence that there is such a thing.
“My dad was 85, and, yes, he had dementia, but that wasn’t what killed him.”
Sir Bobby with French football coach Patrice Evra (L) (Manchester United via Getty Images)John added: “My dad headed the ball a lot. Bobby only headed it a small amount.
"Gordon would have headed it a little bit, but Tommy never played.
"It’s not the dementia that kills most people with it – it’s the effects of other things. My dad had dementia, but he died of lymphoma."
Nobby Stiles with Sir Bobby and his brother Jack in 1973 (Mirrorpix)There has been widespread speculation Jack’s dementia was linked to his repeated football headers – with several of England’s ’66 World Cup winning squad having been diagnosed with and died from neurodegenerative diseases.
Sir Bobby is considered one of the greatest players of all time, with his performance for the Manchester United and England football teams.
He was a member of the national squad that won in 1966, the year he also won the Ballon d'Or annual football award.
The football legend receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from brother Jack during the BBC Sport Personality of the Year Awards (PA)The football star spent almost all of his club football years playing for Manchester United.
Sir Bobby was renowned for his passing skills from midfield, his attacking instinct and his strong long-range shot as well as his fitness and stamina.
The sportsman was only cautioned twice throughout his career including once against Argentina in the 1966 World Cup.
Jack and Sir Bobby with their mother Elizabeth (Getty Images)Meanwhile his older brother Jack was a former defender for Leeds United and international manager.
With success at club and international level, he is one of nine players to have won the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League and the Ballon d'Or.