Charlton began his career in 1953 and played for the first team from 1956. He began commanding a regular place in side, during which time he was a survivor of the Munich air disaster of 1958. The team rebuilt after the disaster with Charlton playing a massive part in the clubs transformation. In 1965 he helped Manchester United win the football league and followed that up a year later by winning the World Cup with England.
Charlton is one of Englands most capped players of all time with 106 to his name as well as 49 goals which makes him the nations record goalscorer. His England cap record has been beaten since by Bobby Moore, Peter Shilton and David Beckham, while his 758 league appearances for United was overtaken by Ryan Giggs in March 2011.
After the 1970 world cup in which he and Bobby Moore were accused of stealing a bracelet in Colombia, Charlton retired from international duty. His caps record would last three years until Bobby Moore became the first player to overtake him.
Charlton played his final game for Manchester United in 1973 before joining Preston North End as player-manager. He spent two years with Preston before deciding management was not for him.
Since retirement Charlton became a regular pundit on BBC and was awarded a CBE in 1975. He went on to make 4 appearances for Waterford United in Ireland as well as one game for Shrewsbury in a friendly against Zambia. He became a director at Manchester United in 1984, where he has been ever since.
He was awarded with the prestigious BBC sports personality of the year lifetime achievement award on 14 December 2008. He was presented the award by his old brother and fellow England world cup winner Jack Charlton, whom he has barely spoken to since a falling out between them in 1996.
Long serving Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has this to say about Charlton; “When I think about great sportsmen who have carried themselves the proper way throughout their career the best example is Bobby Charlton. He embodied to me what being great really is. Humility, feet on the ground, never changed. It's amazing that you can come through a whole career like that."
Bobby Charlton Stats
| Team | Total Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | 758 | 249 |
| Preston North End | 45 | 10 |
| Waterford United | 4 | 1 |
| England | 106 | 49 |
Source: DSG
