Sir Bobby Charlton is a former English professional football player and manager who is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time.
Early Life and Career
Charlton was born on October 11, 1937 in Ashington, Northumberland, England. He began his professional career with Manchester United in 1956 and played for the club until 1973. He was known for his powerful shots, precise passing, and ability to score goals, helping Manchester United win the English First Division in 1956, 1957, 1965, and 1967, and the European Cup in 1968.
International Career
Charlton was also a key player for the England national team, helping them win the World Cup in 1966. He was named the European Footballer of the Year in 1967, and was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
Personal Life and Legacy
Charlton was also known for his sportsmanship and disciplined behavior both on and off the field. He retired from professional football in 1973 and later went on to become a manager and a successful businessman. He is considered as one of the greatest player of Manchester United, He has scored a record 249 goals for Manchester United and 106 international caps for England. He was awarded with a knighthood in 1994 for his services to football and charity work. He was also inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame in 2002.
Club Career
During his career at Manchester United, Charlton helped the club win numerous titles, including the English First Division in 1956, 1957, 1965 and 1967, and the European Cup in 1968. He was an integral part of the team that became known as the “Busby Babes”, named after the club’s manager, Matt Busby.
Charlton’s performances on the field earned him numerous individual accolades, including the Ballon d’Or in 1966 and the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 1967. He was also named to the PFA Team of the Year in 1967.
Charlton’s performances for Manchester United also earned him a place in the club’s history books. He is the club’s all-time top scorer with 249 goals and holds the record for the most appearances for Manchester United, with 758.
International Career
Charlton was also a key player for the England national team. He made his debut for England in 1958 and went on to play 106 times for his country, scoring 49 goals. He was a member of the England team that won the World Cup in 1966 and was named to the tournament’s All-Star team.
Charlton was also part of the England team that reached the semi-finals of the 1970 World Cup and the quarter-finals of the 1968 European Championship. He was named to the England squad for the 1962, 1970, and 1974 World Cups and the 1968 and 1972 European Championships.
Life After Football
Charlton retired from professional football in 1973 and later went on to become a manager and a successful businessman. He managed Preston North End, Wigan Athletic, and Newcastle United before retiring from management in 1984.
In addition to his success on the field and in management, Charlton has also been successful off the field. He is a successful businessman and is involved in several charitable organizations.
In 2008, Charlton was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to football. In 2009, he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame and in 2011, he was inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame.
Legacy
Charlton is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time and one of the greatest players to ever play for Manchester United and England. He is remembered for his powerful shots, precise passing, and ability to score goals, as well as his sportsmanship and disciplined behavior both on and off the field.
In recognition of his contributions to football, Charlton was awarded a knighthood in 1994 for his services to football and charity work. He is also a honorary vice-president of Manchester United and a member of the club’s board of directors.
| Club | Season | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | 1956-1973 | 758 | 249 |
| Preston North End (manager) | 1973-1974 | – | – |
| Wigan Athletic (manager) | 1974-1977 | – | – |
| Waterford United (manager) | 1977-1978 | – | – |
| Newcastle United (manager) | 1984-1985 | – | – |
| National Team | Season | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 1958-1970 | 106 | 49 |