October 21, (THEWILL) – Footballing great Sir Bobby Charlton, who helped England win the 1966 World Cup, has died at the age of 86. His family said in a statement that he “passed peacefully” at home on Saturday, surrounded by loved ones.
The attacking midfielder spent nearly all of his club career at Manchester United, making 758 appearances and scoring 249 goals. He won three First Division titles, the FA Cup and European Cup during 17 trophy-laden years there.
Sir Bobby was a key member of the England side that won the World Cup on home soil under Sir Alf Ramsey in 1966 and won the Ballon d’Or that year. He scored three goals in the tournament, including two to beat Portugal in the semi-finals. In total, he netted 49 times for the Three Lions, a record only surpassed in recent years.
After retiring as a player, Sir Bobby had a brief spell managing Preston North End. He is fondly remembered as one of English football’s greatest players and was knighted in 1994. He lived with dementia in his later years.
Sir Bobby’s wife, Lady Norma, said the family would like privacy to mourn the passing of a “beloved husband, father and grandfather”.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
