1966 World Cup Star : “Bobby” Charlton
On 22 September 2004 the former football star Bobby Charlton, now with his hair having receded to an even greater extent, returned again, in mourning, to the place where the accident occured. Charlton uncovered a memorial plaque close to the old Munich airport in memory of his team mates, friends and travelling journalists that died in the crash in 1958. The plaque, which symbolises a football pitch, stands on a green space at the Empelstraße/Rappenweg crossroads. It marks the spot where Munich citizens spontaneously erected a wooden cross 46 years earlier. It marks the site of the accident.
The “Angels over Munich” gave Bobby Charlton the chance to enjoy a wonderful and, from an historical point of view, an unbelievably impressive career as footballer. Charlton’s millions of fans were therefore also able to enjoy and be part of numerous glorious days. For Manchester United’s brilliant midfielder later won three English championships, the English FA Cup, the 1966 FIFA World Cup™, the European Cup and was also a member of the Englandteam that came third at the European Championships.
Robert "Bobby" Charlton began playing football in East Northumberland school’s team. He played for Preston North End in his youth. It was at this time that a certain Matt Busby, the legendary Manchester United manager, first became aware of him. He gave the skinny 15-year-old his first contract in January 1953. Charlton progressed through Manchester United’s youth and amateur teams before celebrating his debut for the first team in October 1956.
In his very first game for the pros, he provided two of his team’s four goals in their 4-2 win against Charlton Athletic. Bobby Charlton remained loyal to the club for 19 years in spite of many lucrative offers. Manchester were delighted to have “the gentleman footballer” in their side. He wasn’t a genius like the Brazilian Pele, he wasn’t goal scorer in the mould of Eusebio from Portugal and he wasn’t a Puskas from Hungary or a di Stefano from Spain. But his ball winning skills, his passing accuracy over the whole length of the pitch and his shooting power – left and right footed – and his versatility made Charlton an enormously effective player..
At first, Bobby played mainly as a left winger or as an inside left. Later on, he was employed as a playmaker in central midfield both by his club manager Sir Matt Busby and the national coach Sir Alf Ramsey. The Briton was the epitome of modesty, competitiveness and fairness. During his career Bobby Charlton won everything that a footballer can win. In the 1968 European Cup final in Wembley against Benfica, he scored two goals in the 4-1 win.
The midfielder made his debut in the national team on 19 April 1958. Not in his usual position but as a right-sided defensive midfielder. Just as in his first game for Manchester, he was again immediately successful: arch rivals Scotland were beaten 4-0 in Glasgow’s HampdenPark and Charlton crowned his performance by scoring his first international goal.
His first FIFA World Cup™ appearance in 1958 was short-lived as England were knocked out at the group stage. The 20-year-old Charlton didn’t even get on the pitch. At his second FIFA World Cup™ tournament in 1962, Englandand Charlton lost to Brazil, the eventual FIFA World Cup™ winners in the quarter-finals. The wishes of football’s mother country were finally fulfilled at the third attempt: Bobby Charlton, the English team’s midfield general, guided England to their first and only FIFA World Cup™ win. Gordon Banks’ hands, Bobby Moore’s captaincy and heart, Geoff Hurst’s goals and Bobby Charlton’s brains took the team to the title.
The victory was one that Bobby was able to celebrate with his brother Jack. Nicknamed the giraffe, the centre half was also a member of the FIFA World Cup™ winning team. Just why England beat Germany in the final in Wembley was summed up by his rival Franz Beckenbauer: “England were able to beat us because Bobby Charlton was a little bit better than I on the day.” Even today Beckenbauer speaks with great respect about Bobby, the star of the 1966 FIFA World Cup™. In the same year Charlton was voted European Footballer of the Year for his performances at the FIFA World Cup™.
At his fourth World Cup in Mexico in 1970, Charlton’s duel with Beckenbauer had a different ending. Germany won the quarter-final and sent England and the now 32-year-old back home early. In a speech honouring Charlton, his discoverer Busby once said later: “There has never been a more popular player. As a player and a person, he was as perfect as anybody can ever be.”
In his magnificent career, Charlton played in 106 internationals and scored 49 goals. He therefore holds the English goal scoring record, one in front of Gary Lineker, an out and out striker. After 752 games and 247 goals for Manchester United, Charlton returned to his old club Preston North End in 1973 where he ended his career two years later in 1975.
In 1994, Robert “Bobby” Charlton was knighted by the Queen. He now holds the title “Knight of the British Empire”, whereby he may be called “Sir”. In his home country, he is one of the most popular sportsmen of all time. He has been a director of Manchester United since 1984 and is additionally a respected television and radio commentator.
| Sir Robert “Bobby” Charlton’s passport states his date of birth as being 11 October 1937 and his birthplace as Ashington, Northumberland. There’s no mention of 6 February 1958 in his passport. | 
|
| It’s the worst day in Bobby Charlton’s life. It’s the day of
the Munich air crash. In a way, it’s the day when Bobby Charlton was
born for a second time. Bobby survived the disaster because of a miracle
and no little help from the “Angels of Munich” as Charlton still puts
it today. Eight “Busby Babes” lost their lives on that bitterly cold, foggy and snowy 6 February. The 20-year-old Bobby Charlton survived the crash without serious physical injuries. However, the mental pain caused by the loss of many team mates was immeasurable. |
|
 Bobby Charlton, 1966 World Cup winner with Wimbledon champion Boris Becker at a Laureus ceremony. Both stars belong to the jury that awards the Laureus Sport Oscar. GES/Augenklick |
On 22 September 2004 the former football star Bobby Charlton, now with his hair having receded to an even greater extent, returned again, in mourning, to the place where the accident occured. Charlton uncovered a memorial plaque close to the old Munich airport in memory of his team mates, friends and travelling journalists that died in the crash in 1958. The plaque, which symbolises a football pitch, stands on a green space at the Empelstraße/Rappenweg crossroads. It marks the spot where Munich citizens spontaneously erected a wooden cross 46 years earlier. It marks the site of the accident.
The “Angels over Munich” gave Bobby Charlton the chance to enjoy a wonderful and, from an historical point of view, an unbelievably impressive career as footballer. Charlton’s millions of fans were therefore also able to enjoy and be part of numerous glorious days. For Manchester United’s brilliant midfielder later won three English championships, the English FA Cup, the 1966 FIFA World Cup™, the European Cup and was also a member of the Englandteam that came third at the European Championships.
Robert "Bobby" Charlton began playing football in East Northumberland school’s team. He played for Preston North End in his youth. It was at this time that a certain Matt Busby, the legendary Manchester United manager, first became aware of him. He gave the skinny 15-year-old his first contract in January 1953. Charlton progressed through Manchester United’s youth and amateur teams before celebrating his debut for the first team in October 1956.
In his very first game for the pros, he provided two of his team’s four goals in their 4-2 win against Charlton Athletic. Bobby Charlton remained loyal to the club for 19 years in spite of many lucrative offers. Manchester were delighted to have “the gentleman footballer” in their side. He wasn’t a genius like the Brazilian Pele, he wasn’t goal scorer in the mould of Eusebio from Portugal and he wasn’t a Puskas from Hungary or a di Stefano from Spain. But his ball winning skills, his passing accuracy over the whole length of the pitch and his shooting power – left and right footed – and his versatility made Charlton an enormously effective player..
At first, Bobby played mainly as a left winger or as an inside left. Later on, he was employed as a playmaker in central midfield both by his club manager Sir Matt Busby and the national coach Sir Alf Ramsey. The Briton was the epitome of modesty, competitiveness and fairness. During his career Bobby Charlton won everything that a footballer can win. In the 1968 European Cup final in Wembley against Benfica, he scored two goals in the 4-1 win.
The midfielder made his debut in the national team on 19 April 1958. Not in his usual position but as a right-sided defensive midfielder. Just as in his first game for Manchester, he was again immediately successful: arch rivals Scotland were beaten 4-0 in Glasgow’s HampdenPark and Charlton crowned his performance by scoring his first international goal.
His first FIFA World Cup™ appearance in 1958 was short-lived as England were knocked out at the group stage. The 20-year-old Charlton didn’t even get on the pitch. At his second FIFA World Cup™ tournament in 1962, Englandand Charlton lost to Brazil, the eventual FIFA World Cup™ winners in the quarter-finals. The wishes of football’s mother country were finally fulfilled at the third attempt: Bobby Charlton, the English team’s midfield general, guided England to their first and only FIFA World Cup™ win. Gordon Banks’ hands, Bobby Moore’s captaincy and heart, Geoff Hurst’s goals and Bobby Charlton’s brains took the team to the title.
The victory was one that Bobby was able to celebrate with his brother Jack. Nicknamed the giraffe, the centre half was also a member of the FIFA World Cup™ winning team. Just why England beat Germany in the final in Wembley was summed up by his rival Franz Beckenbauer: “England were able to beat us because Bobby Charlton was a little bit better than I on the day.” Even today Beckenbauer speaks with great respect about Bobby, the star of the 1966 FIFA World Cup™. In the same year Charlton was voted European Footballer of the Year for his performances at the FIFA World Cup™.
At his fourth World Cup in Mexico in 1970, Charlton’s duel with Beckenbauer had a different ending. Germany won the quarter-final and sent England and the now 32-year-old back home early. In a speech honouring Charlton, his discoverer Busby once said later: “There has never been a more popular player. As a player and a person, he was as perfect as anybody can ever be.”
In his magnificent career, Charlton played in 106 internationals and scored 49 goals. He therefore holds the English goal scoring record, one in front of Gary Lineker, an out and out striker. After 752 games and 247 goals for Manchester United, Charlton returned to his old club Preston North End in 1973 where he ended his career two years later in 1975.
In 1994, Robert “Bobby” Charlton was knighted by the Queen. He now holds the title “Knight of the British Empire”, whereby he may be called “Sir”. In his home country, he is one of the most popular sportsmen of all time. He has been a director of Manchester United since 1984 and is additionally a respected television and radio commentator.
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