Posthumous medal for Boro legend

Mr Shepherdson (far left) with the England 1966 World Cup squad

The family of Middlesbrough and England football trainer Harold Shepherdson have accept a 1966 World Cup winners medal on his behalf.

At the time only players who featured in the final received the honour, but after a campaign, Fifa changed the rules to include backroom staff.

The trainer died in 1995 but his widow Peggy and daughter Linda travelled to London to receive his medal.

He was Sir Alf Ramsey's right-hand man during the World Cup campaign.

The Shepherdson family travelled to Downing Street on Wednesday to receive the medal from Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Fifa president, Sepp Blatter.

His daughter Linda said: "Obviously it's a long time after the event but I know Sir Alf was very grateful for the part my dad played in the 1966 World Cup.

"My father spent a big part of his life with England in four World Cups and 171 internationals, but the pinnacle of his career was the 1966 World Cup."

Fitness expert

The petition campaign to get Mr Shepherdson recognised has been run by Middlesbrough FC, and local newspapers.

Sir Alf wrote to Mr Shepherdson shortly after the tournament saying that but for his influence and contribution England would not have won.

Shepherdson was appointed England trainer in 1958 under Walter Winterbottom and covered four World Cups and 171 internationals.

He was awarded an MBE in 1969 for services to football.

He played for Boro sporadically either side of World War II, but it was as an expert in fitness and training techniques that he made his name.

One of the most important figures in the club's history, he was right-hand man to a succession of Middlesbrough managers and was caretaker boss four times before retiring in 1983.

The Shepherdson Way approach road to the Riverside Stadium was named in his honour in 1995.

These days FIFA is more generous with World Cup medals.

From 1978 onwards, all members of the winning squads have been given medals.

Since 1986, the World Cup winners have been awarded a total of 45 medals with 23 for the squad and 22 for the coaching staff.