Manchester, Oct 21: Bobby Charlton, an English football icon who survived a plane crash that decimated a Manchester United team destined for greatness to become the heartbeat of his country’s 1966 World Cup-winning team, has died. He was 86.
A statement from Charlton’s family, released by United, said he died on Saturday surrounded by his family.
An extravagantly gifted midfielder with a ferocious shot, Charlton was the leading scorer for both United (249 goals) and England (49 goals) for more than 40 years until being overtaken by Wayne Rooney.
“Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world,” United said.
“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.”
Alex Ferguson, who managed United from 1986-2013, said before Charlton’s death that he “is the greatest Manchester United player of all time – and that’s saying something.”
“Bobby Charlton is absolutely without peer in the history of the English game,” Ferguson said.
Charlton was also renowned for his humility, discipline and sportsmanship. He was never sent off in 758 appearances for United from 1956-73 or 106 internationals for England from 1958-70.
Charlton played with George Best and Denis Law in the so-called “Trinity” that led United to the 1968 European Cup after surviving the 1958 Munich crash that wiped out the celebrated “Busby Babes” team. He won three English league titles at United and an FA Cup.
Charlton’s England scoring record stood for 45 years until Rooney scored his 50th goal for the national team in September 2015. Three of his England goals came in the World Cup in 1966, during which Charlton played every minute for the team and stood out especially in the semi-finals when he scored twice against Portugal to lead England to a first major final.
England beat West Germany 4-2 after extra time in the final.
Although Ryan Giggs beat Charlton’s appearance record for United in 2008, his scoring record for the club lasted another nine years. It was only in 2017 – 44 years after Charlton last wore the famous red jersey of England’s most successful club – that Rooney scored his 250th goal for United.
After retiring in 1973, Charlton went into coaching and founded a youth scheme that included David Beckham, a future United and England great, among its participants.
After brief spells in charge of Preston, Wigan and Irish side Waterford, Charlton returned to United in 1984 as a director and persuaded the board in 1986 to appoint Ferguson, who delivered 38 trophies during nearly 27 years in charge.
Knighted in 1994 by Queen Elizabeth II, Charlton remains a mainstay at Old Trafford, featuring alongside Best and Law on a statue outside United’s stadium.
Charlton avoided the controversies and distractions that damaged the career of Best, with his style and demeanour bringing popularity that transcended the tribalism of club and international football.
Robert Charlton was born October 11, 1937, in the coal-mining town of Ashington, northeast England, and his talent was obvious from a young age.
“We realized Bobby was going to be a bit special as a player when he was about 5 years old,” said older brother Jack, who played for Leeds and won the World Cup alongside him.
“He was always kicking a football or a tennis ball against a wall and when it bounced back it stuck to him like a magnet.”
Charlton’s playing career began far from home in Manchester after leaving school at 15, making his United debut three years later against Charlton in 1956.
Within two years, tragedy struck the tight-knit group of United players whose relationship was forged as trainees in austere conditions. The team was still celebrating winning at Red Star Belgrade to secure a place in the European Cup semi-finals when their plane caught fire on its third attempt to take off in heavy snow after a refuelling stop in Germany.
Charlton miraculously emerged from the smoldering wreckage with only light head injuries and picked his way through the wreckage to help survivors. Spotting manager Matt Busby groaning in agony on the smoke-shrouded runway, Charlton rushed to help the father-figure who had promoted him to the first team.
But, eight members of the “Busby Babes” team packed with bright prospects were among the 21 fatalities. They included Duncan Edwards, considered one of England’s most talented players at 21.
Busby rebuilt his team around Charlton, adding the 1965 and 1967 English league titles to the championship they won in 1957.
The biggest prize of his club career arrived in 1968 as United became the first English club to become champion of Europe.
Charlton scored twice in a 4-1 extra-time win over a Benfica team containing Portugal great Eusebio.
But, Charlton is perhaps best known for being part of the England team that won the World Cup. It remains England’s only major title in men’s football. (AP)
