| Bobby Charlton - A Sparkling Career | ||||
|
|
Bobby Charlton was born in Ashington, a northern mining town. As a schoolboy he was spotted by a Manchester United scout and he signed for Manchester United in 1953 aged 15. In his first season he played in 14 games and scored 12 goals. In 1958, returning from a match in Yugoslavia via Munich their plane crashed during takeoff in foul weather. Charlton survived, but eight players died in the crash, which claimed a total of 23 lives. Charlton was an essential prop in rebuilding the team and simultaneously played his first match for England just two months after the crash, scoring one goal against Glasgow. England won 4-0. Between 1958 and 1970 he went on to score 49 goals for England. Although he did not score in the final, his goals during the 1966 World Cup were pivotal in getting England to the final where they defeated Germany. At Manchester he played 758 times and scored 249 goals. Many of his goals are legendary and some feature in lists of the best goals ever scored. His first winner's medal was awarded in 1963 when United won the FA Cup final. The club won the league championship in 1965 and 1967. He finally left the club in 1973. He moved on to management and became manager of Preston North End in 1973, though during his first season as manager the club was relegated. He left in 1975 to play for Waterford United. He became director of Wigan Athletic and ran several soccer schools all over the world. He joined the board of Manchester united in 1984 and he still serves as a board member. Unlike many great and much heralded football players, success did not go to his head. He married Norma in 1961 and they had two daughters. Bobby and Norma remain married. His brother presented him with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. Bobby Charlton was awarded the OBE in 1969 and the CBE in 1974. Manchester awarded him the Freedom of the City in 2009. On to modern day football and if you are thinking of placing a bet on a game that takes your fancy, then why not come and get the Onebooker betting tips they have on offer at onebooker.com. Put yourself in with a great chance of winning! |
