Bobby Charlton – Manchester United legend with 249 goals: The career in 30 retro photographs
As Wayne Rooney became all-time highest goal-scorer for Manchester United but we must not forget the legend who scored 249 goals from 758 appearances between 1956 and 1973 and played a critical role to establish Manchester United as one of the most prestigious institutions of football. Goalden Times presents a photographic journey of the sublime career of Sir Bobby Charlton whose goal-scoring record was untouched for many decades.
Which name comes first to your mind if you are asked to name the perfect brand ambassador of English football? I bet that eight out of ten answers would be Sir Bobby Charlton. The ever humble superstar of England and Manchester United, had it all in him. He had the athleticism, dribbling skill, grace and above all a venomous shooting skill that his opponents always feared. He was a champion, captained the only World Cup England ever won in football, won the European glory for his club and became the second Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or. He also scored record number of goals for both club and countries, records that stood for next few decades after his retirement. Who else could break that record save Wayne Rooney!
He was born in a football fanatic family; his mother was a Milburn, and her cousin was none other than famous Jackie Milburn. Bobby became a sensation right after a school match between English boys against Wales. Scouts from multiple teams came to meet him after the match, but he had already made up his mind to play for the Manchester United; the decision that changed the fate of Bobby and Manchester United.
Manchester United midfielder Bobby Charlton practices his heading skills with his mother, Elizabeth, in the street outside their home, northern England, 1953
Bobby Charlton and his mum, celebrating his 21st birthday
Bobby Charlton at Highbury football ground, where Manchester United defeated Arsenal 5-4 in the last match in England before the Munich air disaster, 1 February 1958. Players wore black armbands in memory of one of the Manchester United directors, George Whittaker, who died in his sleep in the hotel room in the morning on the day of the match.
1959: Bobby Charlton of Manchester United. Mandatory Credit: Don Morley/AllsportManchester United was already having a transformation under legendary Sir Matt Busby, and Charlton played a huge role in Busby’s master plan. ‘Busby babes’, as they were referred to under Sir Busby, had already made their presence felt in the English football, but they sought continental glory too. Their first attempt ended in the semi-final of European cup losing out to the eventual champions Real Madrid in 1957, but they had another shot next year securing the league again at home but they not even had the slightest clue, what their fate is holding onto them.
February 6 1958 is considered as one of the darkest days of world football. The flight carrying ‘Busby Babes’ back from Belgrade burst into flames in Munich due to a failure during take-off after refueling. The twenty-year-old Bobby survived with a cut on his head, but that snowy afternoon in Munich took away seven of his teammates. Jimmy Murphy took over the mantle from Sir Busby, and tried to fix the shattered team, where Charlton again played an important role.
Bobby Charlton lays in hospital injured February 1958 who was injured in the Munich Air Disaster 1958.
Charlton made it to the national World Cup squad in 1958, right after the Munich disaster, but remained on the bench. But in 1962, he was a valuable asset of his team. Though he had to wait again, but that did not end up in vain. His performance against the Portuguese in the 1966 semi-final is still widely remembered as one of the greatest display in World Cup by an Englishman. While Geoff Hurst made the headlines in the final, Franz Beckenbauer admitted after the match, “England beat us in 1966 because Bobby Charlton was just a bit better than me.” Charlton achieved the ultimate glory of world football.
Sport, Football, 1970’s, Manchester United’s Bobby Charlton with his arms raised (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images)
Holy Trinity: The famous trio of Manchester United – George Best, Denis Law, and Sir Bobby Charlton.
Sir Bobby Charlton and Mr George Best disappointed after a 4-1 defeat to Derby County in the final of the Watney Cup, August, 1970.
Bobby Charlton with his compatriots of Manchester United Denis Law, George Best, Matt Busby, Brian Kidd, Pat Crerand and David Sadler. 1973
Manchester United Holy Trinity: Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law pose with two models at Old Trafford, 9th May 1967
29 May 1968: Manchester United manager Matt Busby celebrates his teams 4-1 victory over Benfica in the European Cup Final played at Wembley in London. Mandatory Credit: Allsport Hulton/ArchiveBut his story did not end here, he have to had the perfect ending to Manchester United’s biggest victory till date when he smashed home two goals in the extra time in a highly emotional match against Benfica in the 1968 European Cup final. Manchester United became the first English team to taste the continental glory under Sir Busby.
But beside all these statistics and fandom, he was a gentleman, a role model to all. You would never see him arguing with the referee or disrespecting any opponents. He was the old-fashioned sporting hero every Englishmen loved. As Sir Busby said, “He was as near perfection as man and player as it is possible to be.”
Jim Ryan and Bobby Charlton inspect the illustrious names on the back of the European Cup in 1968.
John Connelly, Pat Crerand, George Best and Bobby Charlton, 1966.
1968: Manchester United captain Bobby Charlton in action. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Sir Bobby Charlton receives the eleventh Ballon d’Or at Old Trafford from Max Urbini (France Football) after being voted European Footballer of the Year 1966 only one point ahead of Eusebio.
Sir Bobby Charlton applauding the crowd in his final match for United, 1973.
Bobby Charlton exchanges pennants with Chelsea captain Eddie McCreadie before he kicks off his final league game for United April 1973 .
April 28th. 1973 : Bobby Charlton’s last game for United at Stamford BridgeWords: Tamas Sinha
Photographs: The photographs are not owned by Goalden Times and we do not claim ownership of these images by any means. All the images are sole property of the respective owners. A huge thanks to Inter Leaning, Daily Star, Manchester United, Thinkfootballideas, BCSSA, Pinterest, The Sun for the brilliant archive.
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