Sir Bobby Charlton Dies Aged 86

October 21, 2023 James Gregory Champions League, England, FA Cup, Premier League 4

(Image credit: Manchester United FC)

England footballing legend, Sir Bobby Charlton has died at the age of 86 following a dementia battle. 

Charlton was one of nine survivors of the Munich Air Disaster in February 1958 which claimed several members of Utd’s ‘Busby Babes’, and the last surviving member to subsequently pass away.

The 86 year-old haD battled dementia since late 2020 and passed away in the early hours of this morning (21 October).

Charlton spent the majority of his career at Man Utd, where he scored 249 goals in 758 appearances and helped the Red Devils to three league titles plus two Community Shields, 1962-63 FA Cup and famously the 1967-68 European Cup.

The latter title was Charlton’s finest moment as an Utd player in which he scored twice in the Final against Benfica at Wembley, as Utd prevailed 4-1 after extra time to become the first English club to win the competition.

After he left Utd in summer 1973, Charlton scored 11 goals in 49 appearances in total across one-season stints at Preston North End and Ireland’s Waterford United, whilst he also served as manager at Preston between 1973 – 1975.

Commenting upon Charlton’s death, Preston described him as ‘a true legend’ of the sport.

Charlton represented England internationally with 49 goals in 106 appearances and was part of the Three Lions’ only World Cup winning squad, which came on home soil in 1966 as he also was awarded the Golden Ball for his outstanding performances.

Upon announcement of his death, Utd released the following statement: “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.

“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, and won the 1966 World Cup.

Following his retirement, he went on to serve the club with distinction as a director for 39 years.

“His unparalleled record of achievement, character and service will be forever etched in the history of Manchester United and English football; and his legacy will live on through the life-changing work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.

“The club’s heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren, and all who loved him.”

 

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Tributes quickly began to flood in from across the footballing world with Charlton’s England teammate, Sir Geoff Hurst leading those who paid tribute to the icon.

Several Man Utd players past and present also paid their own tributes, including David de Gea and Casemiro.

Football manager, Neil Warnock meanwhile described Charlton as a player who ‘made the game look so easy, gliding across the pitch and a thunderbolt of a shot that never seemed to miss the target.’

Ex Man Utd coach, Rene Meulensteen added that Charlton was ‘a true gentleman.’

England meanwhile tweeted that it was ‘with a heavy heart’ to learn of Charlton’s passing.

EFL added that they are ‘deeply saddened’ that the world has lost ‘one of the greatest players in English football history,’ who ‘was an absolute great on and off the pitch.’

UEFA tweeted their own tribute in which they expressed a feeling of being ‘deeply saddened’ to hear of Charlton’s death.

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