Former English footballer Bobby Charlton, world champion in 1966, died on Saturday at the age of 86, reports Manchester United, the club with which he became famous and became English champion three times and European champion once.
“Manchester United mourns the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most beloved players in our club’s history,” the club’s official website said.
Sir Bobby Charlton CBE, 1937-2023.
Words will never be enough.
-Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 21, 2023
Robert Charlton was born on October 11, 1937 in Ashington and arrived at the Red Devils in 1954, a club where he remained until 1973, before moving to Preston North End (1973/74) and Watford (1975).
Bobby Charlton, brother of 1966 world champion Jack Charlton, was, along with coach Matt Busby, one of the survivors of the plane crash that killed eight Manchester United players in February 1958 in Munich.
Bobby Charlton, one of the ‘Busby babes’, was involved in the rebuilding of Manchester United and won the English championship titles in 1964/65 and 1966/67 – which added to the 1956/57 scepter – and the European champion clubs. Cup in 1967/68, scoring two of the goals in the 4-1 win against Benfica, in the final, at Wembley.
In the decisive match, on May 29, 1968, Bobby Charlton gave the ‘red devils’ a lead, in the 53rd minute Jaime Graça equalized for the ‘reds’, taking the match to extra time, when George Best in the 93rd minute , Brian Kidd, at 94, and, again, Bobby Charlton, at 99, sealed the English triumph.
“Sir Bobby, a graduate of our youth academy, played 758 games and scored 249 goals during 17 years as a player for Manchester United, winning the European Cup, three league titles and the FA Cup. For England he won 106 caps for the national team and scored 49 goals, in addition to winning the 1966 World Cup,” said Manchester United.
The club also emphasizes that “after his retirement, he served the club with distinction as a director for 39 years.”
“His unparalleled record of achievement, character and dedication will be forever etched in the history of Manchester United and English football, and his legacy will live on through the transformative work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation,” the statement said. club, which presents the title. The club’s deepest condolences go out to his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren and all who loved him.”
Source: DN
