A MEMORABILIA collector whose ventures saw him become friends with many of the country’s World Cup-winning football squad has created a display in memory of the late Jack Charlton.
Les Hobson, 78, of Saxton Close, Elsecar, has been collecting items of all kinds for a number of years, with a key passion and interest for the 1966 final at Wembley - a game which he attended.
The football enthusiast may have one of the most comprehensive collections on the planet, with many of the items supplied through help of his friend, the late commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme.
“I’d been friends with Jack for years, we had our moments, but he was great,” Les said.
“I’ve been collecting memorabilia for 50 years and I’m friends with a lot of the 1966 World Cup-winning squad - a good friend Kenneth Wolstenholme played a key part in helping me get the collection.
“Kenneth got me a lot of the addresses for the squad and I managed to get in contact with them through him, mentioning his name helped a lot.
“I wrote to every single club chairman in the Football League to ask about Kenneth getting a knighthood and everyone agreed - though it eventually fell on deaf ears and he passed away in 2002.”
Les’ collection includes pictures signed by the players and manager Alf Ramsey, original posters, flags and even a replica of the Jules Rimet trophy.
Jack Charlton supplied several items - some in exchange for Jump butcher Percy Turner’s pork pies which he acquired a taste for when he was manager of Sheffield Wednesday.
