The death has taken place in Newcastle upon Tyne of Mrs Elizabeth "Cissie" Charlton, mother of the footballers Jack and Bobby. She was 84 and had been in failing health for some time, writes Peter Byrne.
Mrs Charlton, a miner's wife, was a widely respected personality in the north east of England and in 1988 wrote her autobiography, Cissie, which sold well both here and in Britain. She was a member of one of Britain's best known foot balling families. Four of her brothers, George, Jimmy, John and Stan Milburn, were professional footballers, while her cousin, Jackie Milburn, played for Newcastle United and England in the 1950s. In 1966 she was present at Wembley to see her sons, Jack and Bobby, share in England's only triumph in the World Cup.
Jack Charlton had just arrived in Dublin to attend the Republic of Ireland's game against Russia at Lansdowne Road today when he was informed of his mother's death. He returned immediately to Newcastle.