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LAST UPDATE | 21 Oct 2023
MANCHESTER UNITED AND England great Bobby Charlton has died aged 86, his family have announced in a statement.
Charlton was a key member of England’s victorious 1966 World Cup team and also enjoyed great success at club level with United, who became the first English club to win the European Cup in 1968.
He was the brother of former Ireland manager Jack Charlton, who died aged 85 in 2020.
A statement on behalf of the Charlton family said: “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Sir Bobby passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was surrounded by his family.”
The statement added: “His family would like to pass on their thanks to everyone who has contributed to his care and for the many people who have loved and supported him.
“We would request that the family’s privacy be respected at this time.”
Charlton’s European Cup success at United came 10 years after the Munich air disaster, which he and team manager Sir Matt Busby survived but which claimed the lives of eight of Charlton’s team-mates.
Born in Ashington on 11 October 1937, Charlton played in the World Cup final alongside his brother Jack, 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.
Charlton won three league three titles and one FA Cup at Old Trafford and, after leaving United in 1973 and becoming Preston manager, he returned to Old Trafford 11 years later as a club director. He was knighted for services to football in 1994.
Tributes
“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,” the Premier League club said in a statement.
“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.
Written by Press Association and posted on the42.ie
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RIP legend
An absolute gentleman and a legend of the game. Won everything and never had a bad word to say about anyone YNWA
@Neil Davey: except maybe His Brother Jack. I believe he never spoke to Jack right up to his death
As a Liverpool fan he was some player and most current United players would do well to follow by his example.
@Marcus Maher – Triskellion Films: the auld insulting remark that supposed to seem kind , but it is not.
@Marcus Maher – Triskellion Films: There’s always one! A true football legend just died RIP.
Stop using his death as some cheap dig at the current team. Pathetic
@Marcus Maher – Triskellion Films: grow up
I’m a Man U supporter, nothing wrong with his comment, he’s right
@Mary Toilet: i am also a man utd supporter and everything is wrong with his comment
You support Yeovil Town
@Mary Toilet: he’s pretending to show support for Bobby. But he’s using his death to attack the current team.
@alan scott: but he’s right about the current team, they’re rubbish
@Mary Toilet: Different topic. It’s a cheap shot, full stop.
A true United fan wouldn’t stand for it
@Damien O’Sullivan: Sir Alex wouldn’t stand for the current crop, how many managers are United on now, Sir Alex would knock them into shape or they gone
@Mary Toilet: Every comment you waste your time posting is rubbish. Everyone sees you. Relax.
@Damien O’Sullivan: well said damian, my dad has dememtia, what bobby charlton died from.. its horrible disease to have in family blood line
@Mike: no need to be hostile, Mike
@Mary Toilet: Your comments have moved completely away from the headline that is.
Save them for Uniteds next game, vent away then
My sympathies to your Dad.
Terrible condition, best wishes to your family. Look after him and each other it will be tough.
@Mary Toilet: Lol. That’s gas, coming from you. Have a fab night, toilet!
@Damien O’Sullivan: thank you
@alan scott: Touchy bunch aren’t ye…can see why.
@Mary Toilet: you are not a united supporter. No true supporter of Manchester United refers to them as “Man U”. Highly derogatory term for the football club.
@Mary Toilet: even more astonishing using the term “Man U” on the article about Sir Bobbys death. A legend of the football club who would have suffered a great deal from the tragedy that lead to the “Man U” derogatory term becoming widespread. Have you any idea where that term originated from and why it is seen as a massive insult by united fans? I suggest you look into it.
Er no, it was actually quite complimentary in relation to his standards, both on and off the field, sorry that triggered such an emotive reaction.
@Damien O’Sullivan: Er, well yes and no, what he and his forebearers at United laid down is an example to most generations to follow, I see none of that in the current United team both on and off the field, if anything it’s the highest compliment I can give, I would rather question your standards if you feel it doesn’t ring true.
@Marcus Maher – Triskellion Films: My standards are just fine.
I actually agree with most of your statements the current crop would do well to achieve his high standards.
Just the wrong forum for your original comments since his death was just announced
R.I.P. Bobby Charlton
RIP SIR BOBBY U WERE A LEGEND IN LIFE AND FOOTBALL FANS OF ALL AGES
May he rest in piece
Rip Bobby. Survived the munich crash and captained united to the European cup 10 years later. Legend.
@Brian Dunne: yeah it says that in the article. Cheers
@David Malone: Thanks for rerepeating it, David. Well done, you!
Sad day for footie,RIP Bobby
RIP. A real man who represented his sport from the heart.
RIP SIR BOBBY U WERE A LEGEND IN LIFE AND IN FOOTBALL AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE WILL LOOK UP TO YOU FOR YEARS TO COME GOD BLESS
Ahh… I’m so sad to hear this news. I had the pleasure of meeting with Bobby. A pure gentleman, he took the time to chat to me and my Dad at Old Trafford. I will treasure that memory and the photo we had taken together. Rest in peace, legend…
Rip
RIP
Ar dheis Dé ar a h-anam dilis
@Seamus Moynihan: a anam
RIP Bobby. Legend.
A true gent. Met him twice when I did some work for ‘Find A Better Way’ charity. Good stories from his Waterford United stint too.
Rest In Peace Sir Bobby
After the ’68 European Cup Bobby name along with Best, Law and Stiles was painted in 2ft letters all over the Guinness wall in a flat complex. How players were loved so much then by their fans.. Every boy in the flats followed Utd except me, of course. R I P Bobby.
RIP
A real legend of football not like the big Jessie’s nowadays RIP Bobby
@Eddienowy Byrne: exactly, real soccer, real tackling, I do look back fondly at Kevin Moran’s way of dealing with menacing forwards and how he would leave them fighting for their lives
@Mary Toilet: toilet by name shi by choice what the fu..k has Kevin moron got to do with it u this
Was he brother of Jack Charlton former manager of Ireland football team?
@Jan Eire: no, his sister
@Jan Eire: He was Jackie’s younger brother and a much better footballer, as Jackie himself often admitted.
@Mary Toilet: Who’s your father?
I don’t think Liverpool Marcus meant to cause offence, I think he’s right about the current Utd lineup, they are dire, be fair
@Mary Toilet: It’s not that Mary, I think standards at Untd have dropped so much you’ve got players refusing to leave, apologise, take responsibility for off the field activities, a captain who pulls a fit if the game ain’t going his way and owners sucking the club dry, Bobby Charlton was the antithesis of that and herein was my point that triggered so many, I’d be equally acerbic if it was happening to Liverpool.
RIP SIR BOBBY . One of the best ever
He was a good one!
He’s an Englishman who accepted a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) from the establishment.
@dream catcher: I doubt that’s why most know of him.
@dream catcher: why wouldn’t he accept an honor from his native country as he was one of their greatest ever sportsmen.
@James Carroll: It’s right before his name ‘sir’ Bobby… and he’s most well nown in the UK where it would certainly be known by most if not all.
Eric Cantona has called Sir Bobby Charlton one in a million.
Gary Neville said old Trafford will never be the same again.
David Beckham has said he was his childhood hero
and Wayne Rooney has asked is Mrs Charlton f***ing again yet?
@Karl Paul: clown
Cmon Ireland
A great footballer, RIP Bobby Charlton
A legend Bobby rest in peace hope jack will meet u at the pearly gates
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