| ENGLAND | |
| 1953-1975 | |
| Manchester United (1953-1973) Preston North End (1973-1974) Waterford United (1975) | |
One of the true legends of the game, Sir Bobby Charlton has been blessed with good fortune for his entire life. One of the only players who survived the Munich Air Disaster, Charlton carried the torch for his fallen comrades while providing a bridge to the new group of United players that took the team to success in the mid-60’s.
Charlton was known for his ferocious long-range shot and attacking skills in midfield, and his 249 goals for United remain a club record. He held the record for most club appearances until last season, when Ryan Giggs surpassed him. He was also the most-capped player for England at the time of his retirement, earning 106 caps for his country, and his goalscoring record for England still stands at 49 goals.
Charlton was a winner who experienced tremendous success on the pitch. He won League titles in 1957, 1965, and 1967, and an F.A. Cup title in 1963. He also captained United to its European Cup victory in 1968, and won both the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award and the Ballon d’Or in 1966.
He was a vital part of the English National Team, and scored both English goals in a 2-1 victory over Eusebio and the Portuguese team in the 1966 Semi-Finals. So dangerous was he, that, in the Finals, West Germany assigned their talismanic sweeper, Franz Beckenbauer, to mark him. Beckenbauer did the job, however Charlton showed his defensive skills and neutralized “Der Kaiser” on the other side of the ball.
Charlton has continued his service to the game, even in retirement. As Manchester United’s goodwill ambassador, his stature within the club has only increased with time. He has also served as an ambassador for English football, helping to promote England’s bids for the 2006 World Cup and the 2012 Olympics.
Bobby Charlton’s life was not snuffed out on that fateful day in Munich, and he has made the most of his second chance, continuing to contribute to the game while commemorating his fallen teammates.
