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Boris Johnson tried to sign England’s World Cup heroes for his EU exit bid – but they refused to play ball.

The 1966 legends have decided to stay on the sidelines rather than line up for the Leave or Remain campaign.

Mr Johnson ’s desperate last-ditch attempt to get the likes of Sir Geoff Hurst, Sir Bobby Charlton and Gordon Banks in the game came amid another week of bitter political rows.

The former London Mayor was hoping the winning ways of the late Sir Alf Ramsey’s team would rub off on the Out campaign in the EU ­referendum on June 23.

He is locked in a fierce battle with the Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne, who are determined to stay in Europe.

(Image: Getty)

But the legends’ snub is a kick in the teeth for Mr Johnson who hoped to announce their support this week – ahead of the 50th anniversary of their Wembley triumph.

Representatives for the players politely turned down his offer after making it clear they do not want to get embroiled in the political row.

Brexit campaigners are keen for celebrity endorsement to boost their flagging poll ratings in the run-up to the vote.

Read more:Every former Labour leader unites to urge Britain to 'protect the workers' and stay in the EU

So far the only stars to declare their support to leave the EU are cricket legend Sir Ian Botham, Dragons’ Den star Duncan Bannatyne, actor Sir Michael Caine and footballer Sol Campbell.

A source said: “The England World Cup heroes of 1966 will be keeping their views to themselves on Brexit and are unwilling to play for one side or the other. They don’t want to be used as pawns in a game.”

(Image: PA)

The Sunday Mirror has seen a letter from their representatives to Tory

Mr Johnson.

It explained how the big-hitter was “keen to meet” the heroes of 1966 and talk with them about their feelings towards his Vote Leave campaign.

It said he was organising a get-together in London, with a number of sports personalities. Mr Johnson’s team even offered to cover travel costs.

The legends’ snub comes as bitter fighting between the rival referendum camps intensifies.

Mr Johnson, who is touring the country on a bright red Brexit battle bus, has sparked a feud in the Conservative Party, which he has been tipped to lead in the future.

Last week he was joined by Justice Secretary of State Michael Gove and Employment minister Priti Patel to spell out a detailed blueprint for the Australian-style borders system to control immigration into the UK.

With polling day less than three weeks away, the plan was seen as a bid to flesh out a vision for what a post- Brexit Britain would look like.

But the scheme was derided as “fantasy ­politics” by Mr Osborne, who seized on a report by international think-tank OECD, which warned against quitting the EU.

On Friday, former Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg likened Mr Johnson to controversial Republican US ­Presidential candidate Donald Trump.

He said: “Boris Johnson has perhaps a more gifted way with words but I do think there is a bit of similarity there where they are both trying to scare the living daylights out of people.”

(Image: Getty)

A host of celebrities including The Night Manager author John le Carré, actress Keira Knightley and actor Sir Patrick Stewart last week penned a letter backing the Remain campaign.

It warned that Britain would become “an outsider shouting from the wings” in event of Brexit .

Signatories to the letter also include authors Ian McEwan and Hilary Mantel, film directors Danny Boyle and Stephen Frears, actors Dominic West, Benedict Cumberbatch and Sir John Hurt and artists Sir Anish Kapoor and Tracey Emin.

Meanwhile, support is continuing to grow for the Sunday Mirror’s campaign to knight the remaining heroes of the winning 1966 team.

England achieved its greatest-ever sporting triumph on July 30, 1966, when our footballers beat West Germany 4-2.

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But only Bobby Charlton and ­hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst have been knighted.

The Sunday Mirror’s campaign has been calling for the same honour to be bestowed on England’s other heroes – goalkeeper Gordon Banks, 78; defenders George Cohen, 76, and Ray Wilson, 81; midfielders Jack Charlton, 81, Nobby Stiles, 74, and Martin Peters, 72; and striker Roger Hunt, 77.

Leading sporting figures and celebs including Sir Elton John, Gary Lineker and Simon Cowell have joined us in urging Prime Minister David Cameron to create a fitting memory of the team’s inspirational win in the Queen’s birthday honours list, which will be published in two weeks.