By Mike May
The recent death – on October 21 — of 86-year-old English soccer legend Bobby Charlton generated headlines around the world, as Charlton was widely regarded as one of world’s greatest soccer players, especially during the height of his playing career in the 1960s. During that decade, Charlton played for just one club (Manchester United) and made numerous international appearances for England. In fact, he earned 106 ‘caps’ (i.e. appearances) for England from 1958-1970. And, during Charlton’s 17-year career (1956-1973) with Manchester United, he played 758 games for the club, where he scored a then club-record 249 goals. The high point of Charlton’s career was his role as a key figure on England’s World Cup-winning team in 1966. And, in 1994, Charlton was knighted by then Queen Elizabeth II which made him Sir Bobby Charlton.
Charlton was so talented and popular that if he was playing today for Manchester United in England’s Premier League, thousands of his jerseys would be worn by soccer fans around the world, just as today’s soccer fans are wearing the jersey of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and the now famous pink jersey worn by Argentina’s Lionel Messi (now playing for Inter Miami FC).
Charlton’s recent passing has evoked strong memories of his playing days by two current Wellington residents – Jim Graham and Alan Tonks — who grew up playing soccer in England and watched Charlton showcase his skills for Manchester United and for England.
Graham was a young boy when England won the 1966 World Cup, beating West Germany 4-2 in the final.
“I was 11 and bet my dad ten ‘bob’ that we would beat the Germans,” recalled Graham. “My dad was a big fan of German football.”
After England’s championship win, which took place at London’s old Wembley Stadium, Graham’s dad paid his debt to this son.
“I never let him forget about it,” chuckled Graham.
Charlton played every minute of every one of England’s games in the 1966 World Cup. And, it was Charlton’s two goals against Portugal in the semi-final which gave England a 2-1 win and put England in the final.
Looking back, Graham firmly believes that Charlton is one of the greatest soccer players which England has ever produced. If there was a group of English soccer players who are amongst that country’s all-time best players, Charlton would be on that list, according to Graham.
“I, and I suspect most football fans of my generation, would put him on that (All-England) team,” said Graham. “Not only was Bobby a great player, but a true gentleman. I would rank Bobby Charlton as one of England’s top-five greatest footballers, alongside Stanley Matthews, Alan Ball, Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Moore. While Bobby Charlton was a proven goal scorer, he was equally talented as a facilitator, being able to pass the ball well with either foot.”
Charlton was fortunate to have his older brother Jack Charlton as a teammate on many of those England teams in the 1960s. Years ago, Graham met Jack Charlton who had strong words of praise for his more talented, younger brother.
“I did get to meet Jack Charlton,” said Graham. “He was a guest speaker at a sportsman’s dinner we had at our (soccer) club (back in England). He spoke fondly of his brother and how much more of a better player Bobby was than him.”
Tonks, also, has vivid memories of seeing Charlton play soccer.
“I never met Bobby Charlton but saw him play a few times when United came to Villa Park (to play Aston Villa FC) or St. Andrews (to play Birmingham City FC),” said Tonks.
Tonks admired Charlton’s ability to dictate the flow of every match, just like a great point guard does in a basketball game.
“He had special skills, especially ball control,” said Tonks. “He mastered the art of shifting his body one way and dribbling the ball the other way.”
According to Tonks, Charlton was both a talented player on the soccer pitch and a tremendous soccer ambassador away from the action.
“I think his fame was enhanced by the way he conducted himself on and off the pitch,” said Tonks. “He was a very conservative guy, a gentleman, and a class act.”
The numerous video highlights of Charlton’s career on YouTube confirm why his play on the field generated as many headlines then as his death has generated now.
Outside Manchester United’s home stadium, known as Old Trafford, there’s a statue of three of United’s greatest players from the late 1960s, Northern Ireland’s George Best, Scotland’s Denis Law, and Bobby Charlton.
RIP, Sir Bobby Charlton.