Sir Bobby RIP

Along with all of you old enough to remember his 35 yard drives I shed a tear for the late great Sir Bobby Charlton. Remember he played in an era when the football ⚽️ itself, especially when wet, was more like a medicine ball. But his shot from a free kick or in open play barreled in on the goal like a missile!

Born in Ashington, a gritty north eastern coal town, Jackie Milburn was his mother’s cousin. However, Charlton credited much of the early development of his career to his grandfather Tanner and his mother Cissie. Apart from a farewell season at Preston North End, he played his entire career, from the age of 15, with Manchester United.

A survivor of the 1958 Munich Air Disaster, which took away so many of the great Busby Babes, he was pulled from the wreckage by goalkeeper Harry Gregg, the last survivor.

Booked only twice in his career, he was the embodiment of fair play. He played 106 games for England. In 1959, Charlton scored a hat-trick as England demolished the US 8-1; and his second England hat-trick came in 1961 in an 8–0 thrashing of Mexico. Named to four World Cups teams, he was a winner, along with his older brother Jack, in 1966. Bobby had a long running feud with Jack. And he also fell out with George Best and Denis Law. He met his wife Norma at an ice-rink in 1959 and they celebrated their 62nd anniversary shortly before his death.

In later life Sir Bobby became a figurehead, sponsoring and supporting football causes and events.

Charlton died from complications following a three year struggle with dementia. and his death reminds us of the ordeal of sufferers of that cruel illness.

Sir Robert Charlton Rest in Peace!