Tributes were pouring in over the weekend following the death of one of England and Manchester United's greatest ever players - Sir Bobby Charlton.
The player, who was born in Ashington, in Northeast England and who led Sir Alf Ramsey’s England to the World Cup final win in 1966 was one of the survivors of the Munich Air Disaster, where many of his United team-mates died in that tragedy. Known for being one of the so-called ‘Holy Trinity’ at Old Trafford – alongside George Best and Denis Law - he won the Ballon d'Or in 1966.
He went on to lead Manchester United to win the European Cup against Benfica, in 1968. Sir Bobby Charlton passed away aged 86 after a long battle with dementia. A statement from his family confirmed: "It is with great sadness that we share the news that Sir Bobby passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning.
"He was surrounded by his family. His family would like to pass on their thanks to everyone who has contributed to his care and for the many people who have loved and supported him.
"We would request that the family’s privacy be respected at this time.”
England’s ’66 Final hat-trick hero, Fellow Sir Geoff Hurst said: "Very sad news today 1 of the true Greats Sir Bobby Charlton has passed away. We will never forget him & nor will all of football.
Manchester United wrote: "A great colleague & friend he will be sorely missed by all of the country beyond sport alone. Condolences to his family & friends from Geoff and Judith."
"A true gentleman, family man and truly a national hero… Today isn’t just a sad day for Manchester United & England it’s a sad day for football and everything that Sir Bobby represented.
"Our thoughts go out to Lady Norma, there (sic) daughters and grandchildren x Rest in Peace Sir Bobby.
"@Manchesterunited @England our hearts are heavy."
Away from his playing career, he ran many businesses, which included soccer schools in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and China. One of the most high-profiled of the boys who passed out, David Beckham, wrote on his social media outlet: "It all began with Sir Bobby.
"Sir Bobby was the reason I had the opportunity to play for Manchester United. I will be forever grateful to a man I was named after, someone I looked up to and was a hero to many around the world not just in Manchester and our country where he won the World Cup in 1966.
"I owe everything to Sir Bobby because if not, maybe I wouldn't have had the chance of living my dream of playing for the club that I supported for so many years and the club that my dad supported, so me and my dad have a lot to thank Sir Bobby for."
"I was lucky enough to meet him when I went to the Bobby Charlton Soccer School at the age of 10 when I first came here, and I won it when I was 11," Beckham told MUTV at the time.
"It was a dream to meet him because he was my dad’s favourite player and my middle name Robert is after Sir Bobby!
"He would always try to help the young players.
"When you play for a club and you have ex-players that come and talk to you that are involved with the team, it means a lot.
Sir Bobby Charlton was diagnosed with dementia in 2022. The news follows the deaths of his older brother Jack during that same year and that of fellow World Cup-winner Nobby Stiles, both of whom had also been diagnosed with dementia.
Sir Bobby won three league titles, a European Cup and an FA Cup with United during 17 years there.
He was 86.
