SIR BOBBY CHARLTON

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.

His twenty years as a player at Manchester United saw him make 752 starting appearances, plus 6 in other games (Charity Shield and World Club championship) and two as sub. This is still the all time record for any player at the club and of the current squad only Ryan Giggs stands any chance of coming near.

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).

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. Bobby scored 199 goals in 606 League games for United and was a vital element in the club 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 first goal was unusual for him with as it came from a header, the second - a sublime shot for a tight angle, sealed a 4-1 win and an emotional victory for the man who survived Munich. 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 campaign that saw him score three times. He fired in two long range belters that sunk Portugal in England's 2-1 win in the semi-final. His total of 106 caps (1958-1970) was an England record until passed by Bobby Moore in 1973 however a total of 49 goals for England still remains a record to this day and is unlikely ever to be topped.

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 at United and has now been associated with the club for over half a century. 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 and a Manchester United legend.