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 ... .... ....
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Full Name
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Robert Charlton
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Date of Birth
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11th Oct 1937
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Place of Birth
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Ashington,
Northumberland
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Position
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Midfielder
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Height
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5ft 9
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United debut
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6/10/1956
vs Charlton (H)
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.....
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Charlton's United Record 1953-1973
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Appearances
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Goals
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League
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604 (2)
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199
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FA Cup
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79
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19
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League Cup
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24
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7
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Europe
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45
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22
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Total
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752 (2)
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247
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Charlton's International Record
1958-1970
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106 Caps for
England - 49 Goals
1966 World Cup
Winner
1968 European
Cup
1967 1st Div
League Championship
1966 European
Footballer of the year
1965 1st Div League
Championship
1963 F.A. Cup
1957 1st Div
League Championship
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Sir
Bobby Charlton is without doubt one of the most famous
English players of all time. His name is synonymous with
some of the greatest moments in the English game but also
with the highest traditions of sportsmanship and integrity.
Charlton, using his pace out of midfield and with a
thunderous shot, scored some of the most spectacular goals
English football has ever seen.
Born in Ashington, Northumberland, the Charlton family had
football in its blood. Three of his uncles played for Leeds
United and his mother's cousin was the Newcastle United
legend, Jackie Milburn. In 1953 he was signed by Manchester
United aged just 17 and would go on to spend the next 17
years at Old Trafford. As one of the "Busby Babes" to
survive the Munich Air Disaster he was in the great United
side of the Fifties alongside Duncan Edwards, Roger Byrne
and Tommy Taylor, as well as the team of the Sixties
featuring Denis Law and George Best that produced some of
United's greatest ever football.
Initially a striker, he switched to outside-left with
England and finally became a deep-lying centre forward
renowned for his powerful shooting. To say that Bobby
Charlton could hit a ball is the understatement of the
century. Some of his famous long-range torpedoes have gone
down as all time classic goals for both England and United.
In the 1966 World Cup he fired in two long range belters
that sunk Portugal in the semi-final. While his 106 caps
were eventually surpassed his total of 49 goals for England
still remains a record to this day and is unlikely ever to
be topped. |
Alongside his
pulverising shot, he had an ability for accurate long range
passing, was excellent in the air and had a devastating body
swerve. The man with the famous comb-over hairstyle had the
game of football running through his veins, a natural born
footballer. Before Munich, he played up front but in his
first full season found it hard to get in the team whilst up
against talents like Taylor and Viollet. After 1958 he
continued as a centre-forward, however in the early 1960's
Matt Busby switched Bobby to left-wing were he was
devastating. Then in the mid 60's he took on the role of a a
deep-lying play-maker. It was the position he became most
known for and really highlighted his skills to the full.
Charlton has the unique record of scoring on his debuts for
England schoolboys, United's first team (twice vs Charlton
Athletic) and the full international team (vs Scotland).
Bobby scored 199 goals in 606 League games for United and
was a vital element in them winning the 1st Division
Championship in 1957, 1965 and 1967. There was also the FA
Cup in 1963 and famously the European Cup in 1968, in which
he scored twice to sink Benfica at Wembley. The Sixties saw
a glorious era when British football was in awe of Charlton,
Law and Best, three world class players who together helped
make Manchester United an integral part of popular culture
in that decade.
In contrast to the quiet Bobby, his footballing brother and
Captain of Leeds United, Jack, was an outgoing
larger-than-life personality. The disaster at Munich and
death of his team mates affected Bobby deeply. He became a
more serious and subdued person after the tragedy and may
well have suffered "survivors guilt". The Charlton brother's
greatest moment was in the 1966 World Cup when Centre-half
Jack played alongside Bobby all the way to the victorious
Final. 66 was a great year for Bobby as he won both European
and PFA Player of the Year awards for playing a pivotal role
in that World Cup win. His total of 106 caps (1958-1970) was
an England record until passed by Bobby Moore in 1973.
Having finished his career with United in 1973 he became
manager of Preston North End, but unlike his brother,
introvert Bobby was not suited to management and resigned
after the club were relegated in 1975. He later worked as
director of Wigan Athletic, and in 1984 was appointed as a
director of Manchester United. Bobby was awarded a CBE in
1974 and a knighthood in 1994. Today he works as an
ambassador for football in his role as a director of
Manchester United and was involved recently in England's
2006 World Cup bid. A true role model for any aspiring
footballer, a modest man of great integrity, Bobby Charlton
is respected throughout the world as one of England's
greatest ever sportsmen. |
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All pictures in the
profiles can be enlarged by clicking on the smaller version.
Stats do not include friendlies, Charity Shield or World Club tournaments.
Number in brackets ( ) represents appearances as substitute in addition to
starting appearances.
This information is kindly taken from
McCleery's
Manchester United Zone
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