But yesterday Les Cocker, Norman Hunter and Jimmy Armfield were saluted for a different reason – their role in England's 1966 World Cup triumph.

Norman and Jimmy were among 11 squad members who missed out on World Cup winners' medals because, until 1974, they were only given to the players who appeared in each tournament's final.

There was no medal either for United backroom stalwart Les, one of '66 manager Sir Alf Ramsey's key aides.

Last month, however, world football's governing body, Fifa, announced that medals had been minted for England's non-playing squad members as well as coaching staff like Les.

And yesterday the medals were presented to Norman, Jimmy and the
other 'forgotten heroes' of the squad by Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street.

The occasion was tinged with sadness, however, for the family of Les, who died in 1979. His son, Dave, and grandson, Lee, were at Downing Street to receive his medal – but later told how they wished he could have been there to pick it up himself.

Dave, a retired brewery sales manager from New Farnley, said: "It's been an unbelievable day.

"I've never given up hope that something like this would eventually happen.

"It's just a shame the decision wasn't made while my father was still alive."

The other 1966 backroom boys recognised yesterday have also passed away.
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Sir Alf Ramsey was represented by George Cohen – right back in the '66 first XI – while trainer Harold Shepherdson's widow and daughter attended on his behalf.

Leeds legend Norman Hunter, meanwhile, said it felt "really good" to finally receive a medal.

Les Cocker combined his England work with a coaching role at Leeds under Don Revie. The Yorkshire Evening Post launched a campaign last year for him to be recognised for his contribution to the 1966 win.