Bobby Charlton is regarded as one of the greatest midfield players of all time and without doubt the most famous player ever to tread the Ram Meadow turf.
Sir Bobby was a player in the John Louis Select team that played Bury Town on Sunday 30th September 1979. It may have been John Louis’s testimonial match but the Bury St Edmunds public turned out in their hundreds to glimpse one of football’s all-time greats.
Supporters arrived at the ground talking about his goals and left having witnessed two for themselves. Charlton with his iconic sweeping long hair over his thinning top struck two goals past Micky Howchin as Bury Town and the Select team drew 2-2.
Charlton made his debut for Manchester United against Charlton Athletic in October 1956 and played his last match for United against Chelsea in April 1973. During his Manchester United playing career he made a total of 758 appearances and scored a total of 249 goals.
He played 45 times for Preston North End during 1974-1975, scoring 10 goals and finished his professional playing days at Waterford United in 1975-1976 where he made 4 appearances, scoring 1 goal. In total Bobby Charlton played 807 matches and found the back of the net on 260 occasions.
During his club career he won the Football League First Division 3 times, in 1956-1957, 1964-1965 and 1966-1967. He collected a FA Cup winner’s medal in 1963 and won the Charity Shield on four occasions. His greatest club honour was gained in 1968 when he played in the Manchester United team that won the European Cup.
Bobby Charlton was a regular member of the England senior team where from 1958 – 1970 he represented his country on 106 occasions and scored 49 goals. He was selected to represent his country in four World Cups and was a pivotal member of the team that lifted the Jules Rimet trophy in 1966.
He left Manchester United to become manager of Preston North End in 1973-1974 and changed to player-manager the following season. He was also caretaker manager at Wigan Athletic in 1983.
In 1984, Bobby Charlton was invited to become a member of the board of directors at Manchester United.
As an individual, Bobby Charlton was voted Footballer of the Year in 1965-1966, won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball award in 1966, the PFA Merit Award in 1974 and in 2008 was presented with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement award.
Bobby Charlton was awarded the officer of the most excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1969 and Commander of the most excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1974.
Bobby Charlton played in excess of 900 professional matches, scoring over 300 goals. He won Domestic, European and World honours, received immeasurable recognition for his wonderful talent and hard work. He was an ambassador for all that was good with English football. He travelled the globe, playing in the world’s greatest stadiums, everywhere from Rio to Ram Meadow.
THE PROGRAMME COLLECTOR