Bobby Charlton

Sir Robert Charlton is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time is a former English footballer/ who was born on 11th October 1937 in Ashington, Northumberland, England.

Renowned for his attacking instincts and passing abilities from midfield and his ferocious long-range shots, he won the World Cup for England in the year 1966, the year he also won the Ballon d'Or.

Background

Charlton was spotted playing for East Northumberland schools by Manchester United chief scout and the 15-year-old signed with United on 1st January 1953.

In 1956, Charlton made his debut for the Manchester United first-team, and over the next two seasons, Charlton gained a regular place in the team and helped United to win the Football League in 1965 and another Football League title with United the following year.

Debut

Charlton's emergence as England’s leading young football talent was completed when he got a national call-up on 19th April 1958, to join the England national squad for a British Home Championship game against Scotland at Hampden Park, just over two months after he had survived the Munich air disaster.

Charlton made his international debut as England romped home 4-0, with the new player gaining even more admirers after scoring a magnificent thumping volley dispatched with authority.

Rise to Glory

Charlton's role was developing from traditional inside-forward to an attacking midfield player. He was expected to become one of the stars at the start of his legendary career and galvanise his established reputation as one of the world's best footballers.

Club Career

He played almost all of his club football at Manchester United, playing 606 games and scoring 199 goals.

In 1974, he was signed by Preston North End where he scored 8 goals in just 38 appearances.

Bobby has also represented clubs like Waterford, Newcastle United, Perth Azzurri and Blacktown City for a single season.

Captaincy

In 1968, Booby was appointed as the captain of the Manchester United team that won the European Cup under his captainship. Apart from leading the team, he scored two goals in the final to help his team be the first English side to win the competition.

Records

There's an endless list of records of the legendary player. Charlton is United's second all-time leading goal scorer with 249 goals in his bag. Charlton held the record for second most appearances for Manchester United by wearing 758 caps.

In 1969, Charlton was appointed an OBE for services to football. On 21st April 1970, he won his 100th England cap against Northern Ireland, and was made captain by Ramsey for the occasion.

He is only England player to feature in four World Cup squads. Charlton currently lies seventh in the all-time England appearances. He was honored with FWA Footballer of the Year in 1965-66 season. He also lifted the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball in 1966 and FIFA World Cup All-Star Team twice in 1966 and 1970.

He was presented Ballon d'Or in 1966. His legendary career had several milestones as he achieved PFA Merit Award in 1974, FWA Tribute Award in 1989, FIFA World Cup All-Time Team, in 1994, Football League 100 Legends in 1998, English Football Hall of Fame in 2002, FIFA 100 in 2004, BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, UEFA President's Award in 2008, Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 and FIFA Player of the Century.

Low Points

Shortly before the World Cup Charlton was involved in the Bogota Bracelet incident in which he and Bobby Moore were accused of stealing a bracelet from a jewellery store.

Retirement

At the age of 32, after a record 106 caps and 49 goals, Charlton decided to end his international career.

At the time of his retirement from the England team in 1970, he was the nation's most capped player, having turned out 106 times at the highest level.

Post retirement, he has managed Preston North End for 2 years and also played a role of caretaker manager for Wigan Athletic.