A former St Helens Town footballer last week collected a World Cup winner's medal 43 years after England won the trophy.
John Connelly, who grew up in Clock Face, St Helens was among 11 reserves who did not feature in the 4-2 victory over West Germany at Wembley in 1966. The ex-Burnley and Manchester United winger did, however, play in his country's first game of the tournament against Uruguay.
Before 1974 only players who started in the World Cup final received a medal, but Fifa has decided that additional medals should be made for the winning squads from 1930 to 1970. Last week 71-year-old grandfather John, who was an apprentice joiner at Clock Face Colliery before signing for the Clarets, attended a reception at 10 Downing Street and received the medal from Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Along with other squad members he was then presented to the crowd at the England versus Andorra World Cup qualifier. Speaking to the local press, his younger brother, Jim, 66, said: "John played in the first game against Uruguay and actually hit the post twice. But England drew that one and Sir Alf Ramsey changed the pattern from then, bringing in Alan Ball and they went onto to win the World Cup. "We're so proud of John. He says he'll be bringing the medal back to the Town for all his family and old pals to see. St Helens will have its very own World Cup winning medallist!"
John, a former pupil of St Theresa's in Sutton Manor, was spotted by Burnley scouts while playing for St Helens Town. He went on to earn 20 caps for England, scoring seven goals. A fast winger, capable of terrorising opposition full backs, John scored 105 goals in 265 appearances for Burnley between 1956 and 1964. He moved on to Manchester United making 113 appearances and scoring 35 goals in a team managed by Sir Matt Busby.
Other players who did not play in the final but picked up winner's medals on Wednesday include Jimmy Armfield (Blackpool), Jimmy Greaves (Tottenham) and Liverpool duo Ian Callaghan and Gerry Byrne.
