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Sports chief adds support for YEP Give Les A Medal campaign
Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has thrown his weight behind the campaign for the late Leeds United trainer Les Cocker to be recognised for his part in England's 1966 World Cup triumph.
Les did not get a winner's medal in '66, despite being one of England manager Alf Ramsey's key backroom men during the tournament.
Alf and his other main aide, Middlesbrough trainer Harold Shepherdson, also missed out because at that time the only people who received World Cup medals were the players who appeared in the final.
Now, though, world soccer's governing body Fifa is coming under mounting pressure from fans and ex-football stars to reward the trio posthumously. And their calls for action were today backed by Mr Sutcliffe, MP for Bradford South.
He said: "Winning the World Cup in '66 was this country's finest sporting moment. These days, players, coaches and physios rightly get medals as recognition of their role. I think it would be great if Fifa gives them the recognition they deserve. They were an integral part of the team."
Dad-of-three Les, who died in 1979 aged 55, combined his work in the England set-up with a full-time coaching job at Leeds.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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