Hope for Euros in hometown of two World Cup winners

Laura Rochester remembers the Charlton brothers being driven round Ashington to cheering crowds after the 1966 World Cup final

The last time England's men won a major football tournament, two of the players came from the same mining town.

Ashington in Northumberland is famous for coal, and for its long list of sporting stars including 1966 World Cup winners Bobby and Jack Charlton.

Many in the town still remember watching that game, and the heroes' welcome the Charlton brothers received when they came home.

"We should be proud of them and of that win," one of them, 68-year-old Laura Rochester, said, "I hope it can happen again".

The brothers were related to a number of professional footballers including England's Jackie Milburn

"I watched the World Cup final with an aunt and uncle in Gateshead because they had a TV," Mrs Rochester said as she walked her dog round Hirst Park where the Charlton brothers learnt to play.

"After the game, they came round Ashington in a big car, there were crowds of people everywhere," she remembered.

"When people say where's Ashington, I say we're a place which makes good footballers," she said.

Hirst Park in Ashington where the Charlton brothers played football during their childhood

Linda Benstead, 69, also remembers the 1966 final, though she did not get to watch it.

"We were on a school trip in Keswick in tents, and the lads were running up to the farmhouse and back bringing news of how the game was going," she said.

"My mum was at school with Bobby Charlton and Jackie Charlton used to come regularly to the British Legion for Remembrance Sunday and my husband and I would have a little chat with him - he was a lovely man," she added.

Linda Benstead's mum went to school with Bobby Charlton

She said she was "hopeful" but not "holding her breath" for Sunday's game when England take on Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

"But I thought the semi-final would go to extra-time and it didn't, so maybe somebody has lit a fire under those players," she added.

Vikkie Warham, 50, is not a football fan but thinks a win will be good for the nation

Not everybody will be glued to the game on Sunday.

Vikkie Warham, 50, said she was "not a huge football fan" and was planning to get some ironing done with one eye on the match.

"I think a win would be good for the nation though, first a Labour win, then a football win, I think it'll give Ashington a good boost and it really needs it," she said.

Rebecca and Chris Wilczek live in Bedlington but have a business in Ashington

Rebecca and Chris Wilczek also said they did not follow football closely but were "still excited for the team".

"There are a lot of good things happening at the moment and everyone would be over the moon if they win," Mr Wilczek said.

"I think they'll be a lot of parties," Mrs Wilczek added.

Alan Bell thinks England's performances have been "mediocre"

Bobby Charlton was not a regular visitor to his home town but Jack often returned and died there in 2020.

Alan Bell, 60, remembers seeing him around, and his funeral, which saw thousands of people line the streets of Ashington.

He said he hoped the England of 2024 would repeat the success of 1966 but was not convinced.

"They've been pretty mediocre up to now, and had a couple of lucky decisions, but you've got to have hope haven't you?" he said.

"I'll be watching at home so nobody will see my jumping around," he added.