Former English footballer Bobby Charlton, world champion in 1966, died this Saturday at the age of 86, reported Manchester United, the club in which he became famous and became champion of England three times and once of Europe.
“Manchester United mourns the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most beloved players in our club’s history,” reads the English club’s official website.
Robert Charlton was born on October 11, 1937 in Ashington and joined the Red Devils in 1954, where he remained until 1973, before moving to Preston North End (1973/74) and Watford (1975).
Brother of the 1966 world champion Jack Charlton, Bobby Charlton was, along with coach Matt Busby, one of the survivors of the plane crash that killed eight Manchester United players in Munich in February 1958.
Bobby Charlton, one of the ‘Busby babes’, participated in the reconstruction of Manchester United, winning the English champion titles in 1964/65 and 1966/67 – which were added to the 1956/57 title – and the European Cup clubs in 1967/68, scoring two of the goals in the 4-1 victory against Benfica, in the final, at Wembley.
In the decisive match, on May 29, 1968, Bobby Charlton gave the Red Devils the lead. In the 53rd minute, Jaime Graça tied for the Reds, taking the game to extra time, when George Best, in the 93rd minute, Brian Kidd, at 94, and, again, Bobby Charlton, at 99, sealed the English victory.
“A graduate of our youth academy, Sir Bobby made 758 appearances and scored 249 goals during 17 years as a Manchester United player, winning the European Cup, three league titles and the FA Cup. With England, he won 106 international caps. and scored 49 goals, in addition to winning the 1966 World Cup,” detailed Manchester United.
The club also highlights that “after his retirement, he served with distinction as club director for 39 years.”
“His incomparable 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,” said the club, which presents the “The “The club’s deepest condolences go out to his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren and all those who loved him.”
Source: TSF
