Ray Wilson: England World Cup-winning defender dies aged 83

Wilson’s England team-mate Sir Bobby Charlton also paid tribute to his “close friend”.

The 80-year-old said: “Lady Norma and I are deeply saddened by the awful news that Ray has passed away

“We shared some wonderful memories throughout our career and I had the pleasure of being his room-mate. Ray was a great man and he will be missed by so many people.”

Another of Wilson’s England team-mates, goalkeeper Gordon Banks, described him as “a wonderful guy, on and off the field” and a “world-class player”.

“It’s very, very sad, horrible news,” Banks said.

“He was always one of the lads who wanted to have a laugh in the dressing room and whenever we went out for a drink.

“He was such a wonderful guy, on and off the field.

“As a player, he really was superb. He wasn’t a big, strapping guy, but he was so quick.

“He was a world-class player without any question. There were players we just couldn’t do without, they were terrific players, and he was one of them.”