If you missed it, it’s still available to watch. Fantastic TV.
It’s somewhat fitting that Bobby Charlton’s 80th birthday will fall during an international week because to many people, the Manchester United icon is still the greatest English player of all-time.
If you need a further example of the respect and admiration that the World Cup-winning midfielder still commands, these anecdotes from the likes of Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Gary Neville are essential viewing.
In fact, Beckham even got his middle name from the Ballon d’Or-winning great.
David Beckham owes everything to Sir Bobby Charlton.
Tonight we celebrate a legend – #OneBobbyCharlton
👉 https://t.co/xnjk4m0Jv2 pic.twitter.com/TJuPShh49P
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) October 8, 2017
On the field, Charlton won practically everything that there is to win, but as we all sadly know, his life was also filled with grief, loss, and sadness.
Charlton survived the Munich air disaster in 1958 which killed several of his teammates dubbed the Busby Babes. In what’s a sign of his remarkable character, strength and leadership qualities, Charlton would go on to become a crucial figure in the club’s resurgence, winning two league titles and, unforgettably in 1968, the European Cup against Benfica.
He received a knighthood in 1994 and was awarded the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
On the field, he’ll forever be remembered as a proud Englishman and a fantastic footballer. Away from it, his class and decency have ensured a degree of respect and love from all supporters of English football.
If you missed the documentary over the weekend, you can view it here and it’s great viewing.
It’s clear that plenty of people absolutely loved Charlton’s moving and inspirational story.
This is how Sir Bobby Charlton's family found out he'd survived the Munich air crash #OneBobbyCharlton pic.twitter.com/ot5Zr10PIO
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) October 8, 2017
What a documentary. What a player. What a man. Sir Bobby Charlton. #OneBobbyCharlton
— Josh Perchard (@JoshPerchard) October 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/mattarchibald92/status/917141640627871746
I know Sir Bobby’s story inside out, but it still makes me cry like a baby hearing it. 😢
You love him like he’s family. 😊#OneBobbyCharlton— 🔰🔰🔰Paul Skillington🔰🔰🔰 (@PaulSkillington) October 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/BesleyNick/status/917151185429200896
#OneBobbyCharlton Today’s over paid prima donnas need to watch this programme
— Richard Chipchase 🇬🇧🤍🖤&🤍💙 (@rchip25) October 8, 2017
#OneBobbyCharlton – They don't make them like that anymore ! 👍#MUFC
— Eamonn Holmes OBE (@EamonnHolmes) October 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/Steve_Motty/status/917148118684258304
.@Gnev2 & Ryan Giggs tell of the impact Sir Bobby has, simply with his presence… #OneBobbyCharlton #MUFC pic.twitter.com/DDFI1C3L4Q
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) October 8, 2017
