Sir Bobby Charlton: Manchester United and England great dies aged 86
The football world is in mourning following the death of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of Manchester United and English football.
The family of the 86-year-old announced his passing in a statement on Saturday morning, saying he had passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.
A Footballing Great
Charlton was a key member of England’s victorious 1966 World Cup team and also enjoyed great success at club level with United, who became the first English club to win the European Cup in 1968.
He made his debut for United in 1956 and went on to play 758 matches for the Red Devils, scoring 249 goals. Both were long-standing club records until they were overtaken by Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney respectively.
Charlton won three league three titles and one FA Cup at Old Trafford and, after leaving United in 1973 and becoming Preston manager, he returned to Old Trafford 11 years later as a club director. He was knighted for services to football in 1994.
Charlton’s European Cup success at United came 10 years after the Munich air disaster, which he and team manager Sir Matt Busby survived but which claimed the lives of eight of Charlton’s team-mates.
A True Hero
‘Manchester United are in mourning following the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club,” the Premier League club said in a statement.
‘Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world.
‘He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as he was for his outstanding qualities as a footballer; Sir Bobby will always be remembered as a giant of the game.
‘A graduate of our youth Academy, Sir Bobby played 758 games and scored 249 goals during 17 years as a Manchester United player, winning the European Cup, three league titles and the FA Cup. For England, he won 106 caps and scored 49 goals for England, and won the 1966 World Cup.’
A Final Farewell
Charlton was diagnosed with dementia and the announcement of his condition made public in November 2020.
The announcement came two days after his United and England team-mate Nobby Stiles died following his own battle with the illness.
The club’s heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren, and all who loved him.’
Remembering Sir Bobby Charlton
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