‘Footballing Immortality’ - Tributes pour in for Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton
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Updated 22/10/2023 at 12:11 GMT
Some of the biggest names, clubs and institutions have reacted to the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, as his family confirmed the news in a short statement released on Saturday afternoon. Manchester United posted their own tribute on the club website, while Red Devils legends Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand followed. Sir Geoff Hurst, Gary Lineker and Eric Cantona also paid tribute.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 11: Sir Bobby Charlton looks on prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
English football lost one of its all-time greats with the news of Sir Bobby Charlton’s passing at the age of 86.
In a glittering playing career, he helped England to their only World Cup triumph to date in 1966, also winning three league titles and a European Cup.
He played an integral role in Sir Matt Busby’s rebuild of the Manchester United side following the Munich air disaster in 1958, lifting that European Cup 10 years later with an extra-time victory over Benfica at Wembley.
With those achievements in mind, some of the game’s biggest names, organisations and clubs have all paid tribute to one of the greatest players from British shores.
Manchester United were among the first to offer their own tribute, published on the club website, which read: "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.”
His World Cup winning team-mate and hat-trick hero from the 1966 final, Sir Geoff Hurst, offered his own consoling words.
He said on X (formerly Twitter): "Very sad news today, one of the true greats Sir Bobby Charlton has passed away.
"We will never forget him & nor will all of football. A great colleague and friend, he will be sorely missed by all of the country beyond sport alone."
England’s record World Cup goalscorer Gary Lineker described Charlton as England’s "greatest-ever player" when reacting to news.
He said: “Deeply saddened to hear that Sir Bobby Charlton has died. A truly wonderful footballer and genuinely lovely man. A World Cup winner, a Manchester United great and, for me, England’s greatest-ever player. He may no longer be with us but he’ll have footballing immortality. RIP Sir Bobby.”
Lineker had been the presenter on BBC's coverage when Charlton was awarded the Sport Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
Ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and former club captain Gary Neville were among those to offer their tributes, with the latter explaining how Charlton’s exploits set a path for other players to follow.
He said: “So sorry to hear the news of Sir Bobby Charlton. The greatest English football player and Manchester United’s greatest ambassador. A champion on and off the pitch and a Busby Babe that paved the way for all to come at United. Rest In Peace Sir Bobby.”
Ferdinand also revealed a heart-warming account of the words which the man himself said to him before lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2008, after United beat Chelsea in a dramatic penalty shootout in Moscow.
He said: "The words he shared with me at the bottom of those stairs in Moscow, before I went up to lift the CL trophy will stay with me forever.
"What it meant to lift that trophy for Man Utd, what it meant for the fans, what it meant for us as a team and what it now meant for myself doing it as captain.
"It was a privilege for me to even get that moment with him at that specific time."
Eric Cantona also offered a short, but sweet recollection of Sir Bobby, and said on Instagram: “Rest in peace Sir Bobby Charlton. One of the best of all time.”
The official England account posted their own tribute to Charlton and confirmed his life will be commemorated before the match against Malta at Wembley on November 17.
Journalist Henry Winter called on the FA to erect a statue of Charlton to recognise his unique place in the history of the English game.
Manchester United had to cope with the emotional backdrop of Charlton's passing when they faced Sheffield United at Bramall Lane that same day.
Speaking ahead of the match, manager Erik ten Hag told MUTV: "Our thoughts are of course with his family. The whole football world is losing a legend, a big personality, a giant. He was that on the pitch and definitely also off the pitch.
"He set the standard as a Manchester United player. What he achieved is an example for us and for all of us it should be an inspiration for us, not just to get a win but also with his standards."
Meanwhile, United midfielder Scott McTominay added to Sky Sports: “He paved the way for people like myself, Marcus [Rashford] and Jesse [Lingard] who came through the academy. So for us especially, feeling what he’s done at this football club, it’s difficult. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone at this time.
“It’s difficult but the game is going ahead and we have to do it for Sir Bobby. He was an icon and a legend all around the world in football terms. My mum is obviously devastated and everyone who has grown up watching him over the years has just got to thank him really for everything he’s done for the game.”
On Sunday, fans began laying commemorative wreaths at the feet of Charlton's statue outside Old Trafford.
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