Sir Bobby Charlton's 1966 World Cup semi-final shirt sells at auction

The signed shirt sold for just under £60,000 to a private international bidder

The England shirt worn by Sir Bobby Charlton in the 1966 World Cup semi-final has been sold at auction.

The signed top was worn by the England legend as he bagged both goals in the Three Lions' 2-1 win over Portugal on 26 July 1966.

The shirt was sold by Derbyshire-based Hansons Auctioneers to a private online international bidder for £59,040.

Sir Bobby died last month, aged 86, with his funeral taking place at Manchester Cathedral on Monday.

His death prompted sporting tributes from across the globe as dozens of footballers, managers and pundits paid their respects at his funeral.

About 1,000 mourners paid their respects at the funeral, and crowds lined the streets as the cortège arrived at Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium to rounds of applause.

Sir Bobby Charlton scored both goals in England's 2-1 win over Portugal on 26 July 1966

Sir Bobby is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, winning the World Cup, the European Cup - now the Champions League - the First Division, FA Cup and the Ballon d'Or.

He made 106 appearances for the Three Lions scoring 49 goals for his country.

The Manchester United icon, in his 17-year footballing career with the Red Devils, played 758 games and scored 249 goals.

He died last month after a fall at a Cheshire care home, an inquest heard.

The auction firm said it was pleased the "important shirt" had "a new home"

The shirt came to auction through a West Midlands man, who was a Littlewoods Pools winner in the early 1990s.

He decided to invest in football memorabilia and bought the shirt for £9,200, equivalent to about £20,000 today, at a London auction in 2000.

Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: "This important shirt was consigned to auction a year before news of Sir Bobby's passing in October emerged. It had long been scheduled for Hansons' November Sporting Auction.

"News of his loss came as huge shock to us all. We were deeply saddened. He was a football legend admired by millions.

"We're pleased to have been able to find this important shirt a new home. We hope it enhances memories of the tremendous role he played in the 1966 World Cup as the nation celebrates his life."