The China Mail - England World Cup winner Cohen dead at 83

The 37-times capped defender played every minute of the victorious campaign on home soil that culminated in a 4-2 extra-time win over the then West Germany to give England their first and only World Cup title.

"Everyone at Fulham Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of our greatest ever players -- and gentlemen -- George Cohen MBE," said a statement on the club's website.

Cohen spent his entire career with Fulham, playing 459 games for the Cottagers from 1956-1969 before a knee injury cut short his career at 29.

He later worked in the club's hospitality suites.

Cohen's contribution to Fulham was recognised when his statute was unveiled at Craven Cottage in October 2016.

He said at the time: "I find it absolutely wonderful that they even thought I was worthy of (a statue).

"Especially as it was alongside Johnny Haynes, the greatest name in Fulham's history.

"To be alongside him, it was rather unbelievable. It was great to think that not only the club but the supporters had wanted to put a statue of me there."

Cohen was a campaigner and fundraiser for research into cancer, which claimed the life of England's 1966 captain Bobby Moore and dementia, which affected several members of the team in later life including Manchester United great Bobby Charlton.

Cohen, who spent decades suffering with bowel cancer, announced in 2017 he would be donating his brain for scientific research upon his death.

- 'Supreme athlete' -

He was not the only world champion in his family, with nephew Ben Cohen a winger in the England side that won the 2003 Rugby World Cup -- a match that also went to extra-time.

Alan Mullery, who played alongside Cohen at Fulham, told Sky Sports News: "He was a supreme athlete, there were very few players George could not outrun completely -- he did half my running up and down the wing.

"When he tackled people, he hit them hard and was an outstanding right-back.

"Everybody loved George. He was a proper gentleman and became a very clever businessman."

Cohen's death means that of the England starting side who won the World Cup final -- no substitutes were permitted in 1966 -- only hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst, 81, and Charlton, 85, are still alive.

"Very sad to hear my friend and England teammate George Cohen has died," said Hurst on Twitter.

"Everyone, without exception, always said that George was such a lovely man. He will be sadly missed, my heartfelt thoughts are with George's wife Daphne and his family."

The Premier League, paying tribute to Cohen, said there would be a moment's applause before all top-flight matches between Boxing Day and December 28, with all players and officials wearing black armbands as a mark of respect.

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