LONDON (AFP, REUTERS) - Jack Charlton, a member of the legendary England football team who won the 1966 World Cup on home ground, has died aged 85, his former club Leeds United announced on Saturday (July 11).

Charlton - older brother of his fellow World Cup-winning teammate Bobby from Manchester United - was an integral part of the great Don Revie-managed Leeds side who won the 1969 English first-division league title and the 1972 FA Cup.

He also enjoyed a successful spell as manager of the Republic of Ireland side, acquiring the nickname "Saint Jack" for guiding them to several major finals including the 1990 World Cup quarter-finals.

"Jack died peacefully on Friday, July 10 at the age of 85. He was at home in Northumberland, with his family by his side," read a family statement.

"As well as a friend to many, he was a much-adored husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

"We cannot express how proud we are of the extraordinary life he led and the pleasure he brought to so many people in different countries and from all walks of life.

"He was a thoroughly honest, kind, funny and genuine man who always had time for people.

"His loss will leave a huge hole in all our lives but we are thankful for a lifetime of happy memories."

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin was among the first to tweet his reaction. "So saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Charlton who brought such honesty and joy to the football world," he said.

"He personified a golden era in Irish football - the Italia '90 campaign being one of pure joy for the nation. He gave us magical memories. Thank you Jack."

Leeds issued their own trbiute to "Big Jack" whose uncompromising style as a defender epitomised the rugged side to the Revie era.

"Leeds United are deeply saddened to learn club legend Jack Charlton passed away last night at the age of 85 following a long-term illness," read a Leeds statement.

"Charlton made a club record 773 appearances for Leeds United over a 23-year period as a player, becoming one of the all-time great central defenders in the game."

He is the third member of Revie's Leeds side to die this year, after Norman "Bites Yer Legs" Hunter, 76, and Trevor Cherry, 72.

The Football Association of Ireland tweeted: "The FAI is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jack Charlton, the manager who changed Irish football forever.

"Our thoughts are with Pat and the family at this sad time."

Geoff Hurst, Charlton's World Cup-winning teammate, tweeted: "Another sad day for football. Jack was the type of player and person that you need in a team to win a World Cup.

"He was a great and loveable character and he will be greatly missed. The world of football and the world beyond football has lost one of the greats. RIP old friend."

Mick McCarthy, Ireland's captain under Charlton, said: "English fans will always remember Jack as one of their World Cup winners in 1966 but what he did with Ireland will, I suspect, mean even more to our fans and the country."

The tall and lanky Charlton was as blunt with his defending as he was with his tongue - he very much the opposite in both respects to his more media savvy brother Bobby.

The only similarity between them - aside from lifting the World Cup trophy - was a premature loss of hair.

Indeed the two did not speak for several years because Jack felt Bobby's wife Norma did not treat their mother Cissie with the respect she deserved.

Jack was especially angered that Bobby did not visit Cissie even when she was dying - mother and son did not speak from 1992 to the day she died in 1996 and he laid it bare in his 1996 autobiography, much to Bobby's disgust.

"I don't think anybody should feel sad about it," Bobby told The Guardian in 2007. "He's a big lad, I'm a big lad and you move on. I'm not going to ruin the rest of my life worrying about my brother and I've no doubt he's the same."

It was very different back in 1966 when they warmly embraced after England had defeated the then West Germany 4-2 at Wembley.

Two weeks later the brothers were given a heroes' reception in the mining town of Ashington - where their father Bob had toiled away - known as "Coalopolis" in the north-east of England. They rode in the back of an open-topped car cheered on by 15,000 jubilant local residents.