Monday, November 13, 2023

Sir Bobby Charlton: Funeral cortège met by huge crowds in Manchester Published 16 minutes ago

 

Sir Bobby Charlton: Funeral cortège met by huge crowds in Manchester Published 16 minutes ago

Crowds have gathered outside the home of Manchester United for the funeral procession of Sir Bobby Charlton.

The England and Red Devils legend died at the age of 86 on 21 October.

The funeral cortège arrived at Old Trafford to rounds of applause from mourners at 13:30 GMT.

Up to 1,000 guests descended on Manchester Cathedral, including the Charlton family, friends and leading figures from across football for the service.

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and ex-players Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane, Steve Bruce, Paddy Crerand and Andy Cole were among those paying their respects

Current players including Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were also in attendance along with former manager and player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and England manager Gareth Southgate.

The Prince of Wales, who is president of the Football Association, also travelled to Manchester for the private service at the cathedral in the centre of the city.

The funeral cortège drove past the stadium's East Stand and the United Trinity statue, which features Charlton, George Best and Denis Law.

Representatives of the club's under-18 and under-21 teams formed a guard of honour flanking the statue.




Black and white photographs depicting Charlton's career as a player and then a director at the club were on display outside the football ground.

The funeral procession then travelled to the city centre, arriving at the cathedral shortly after 14:00 where fans, footballers and Charlton's friends and family had gathered inside for the private service.

Widely hailed as one of England's greatest ever players, Sir Bobby was a key figure in the Three Lions' 1966 World Cup victory.

During a 17-year first team career with United he won three league titles, a European Cup and an FA Cup.

From 1958 to 1970 he played for England, and achieved 106 caps, a record-breaking 49 goals, the famous 1966 World Cup win, and a Ballon d'Or.



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