Tributes flood in for 1966 World Cup hero Sir Bobby Charlton

Tributes have poured in from across the football world for England football legend Sir Bobby Charlton following his death aged 86.

The football legend, who was part of England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad, died peacefully in the early hours of Saturday (21 September), according to his family.

Sir Bobby is also considered to be one of Man United’s greatest-ever players and the club said it would hold a minute’s silence for him at their game against Sheffield United on Saturday night, with players wearing black armbands.

In a tribute to their former captain, who was diagnosed with dementia in November 2020, United lauded him as “one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club”.

A club statement said: “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.

“A graduate of our youth Academy, Sir Bobby played 758 games and scored 249 goals during 17 years as a Manchester United player, winning the European Cup, three league titles and the FA Cup. For England, he won 106 caps and scored 49 goals for England, and won the 1966 World Cup. Following his retirement, he went on to serve the club with distinction as a director for 39 years.

“His unparalleled record of achievement, character and service will be forever etched in the history of Manchester United and English football; and his legacy will live on through the life-changing work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.

“The club’s heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren, and all who loved him.”

Former England striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker said he was “deeply saddened” to hear that Sir Bobby Charlton has died and said he was “England’s greatest ever player”.

He said: “A truly wonderful footballer and genuinely lovely man. He may no longer be with us but he’ll have footballing immortality. RIP Sir Bobby.”

Former Man United defender Rio Ferdinand said: “Icon, Legend, Great! These words are thrown around by all of us to many who 100 per cent don’t deserve them, especially when you compare them to man of Sir Bobby’s calibre.

“What a true gentleman of not many words, but when he spoke you stood still, stopped what you were doing and listened. A lot of the history was living and breathing through him and he was a constant at the club while I was there – travelling with us all over the world. Win, lose or draw he would be in the changing room wishing us well.

“The words he shared with me at the bottom of those stairs in Moscow, before I went up to lift the Champions League 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.”

Former Manchester United midfielder David Beckham, whose father gave him the middle name Robert because he idolised Sir Bobby.

And the footballer David said Sir Bobby was a “true gentleman, family man and truly a national hero,” adding: “I will be forever grateful to a man I was named after, someone I looked up to and was a hero to many around the world not just in Manchester and our country where he won the World Cup in 1966.

“Today isn’t just a sad day for Manchester United & England it’s a sad day for football and everything that Sir Bobby represented.”

Fellow United legend Gary Neville wrote: “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.”

A tribute posted on England’s Instagram account, read: “It is with a heavy heart that we have learned of the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton. An integral part of our 1966 FIFA World Cup winning campaign, Sir Bobby won 106 caps and scored 49 times for the #ThreeLions.”A true legend of our game. We will never forget you, Sir Bobby”

A photo of Sir Bobby was displayed on screens at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium, which is located near where he grew up in Ashington, during the side’s game against Birmingham City on Saturday afternoon.

Fans also held a standing ovation, which was led by two former Manchester United players – Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick and Birmingham City boss Wayne Rooney.

World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in the 1966 final for England, described Charlton as “a great colleague and friend”.

He said: “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 & friend he will be sorely missed by all of the country beyond sport alone.”

Born on October 11 1937, Sir Bobby played in the World Cup final alongside his brother Jack, who died aged 85 in 2020 and also suffered from dementia, and won 106 caps for England, scoring 49 goals.

He made his debut for United in 1956 and went on to play 758 matches for the Red Devils, scoring 249 goals. Both were long-standing club records until they were overtaken by Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney respectively.

Additional reporting by Press Association.