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Bobby Charlton: from the horror of Munich to World Cup hero


LONDON (AFP) - One of the survivors of the 1958 Munich air disaster which decimated Manchester United's 'Busby Babes', Bobby Charlton bounced back to become his country's most successful footballer.
No other English player can match Charlton's unique collection of winners medals - World Cup, European Cup, League title and FA Cup, and only a few can match his spotless reputation for sportsmanship.

Born in 1937 into a famous football family - his uncle was the legendary Newcastle striker Jackie Milburn - he was soon spotted by Matt Busby and signed on at Old Trafford at 17.

As a youngster Charlton started out as a left winger, his searing pace, exemplary balance and ability to unleash ferocious shots with either foot making him perfectly suited to the role.

Later he evolved into a midfield playmaker, operating for club and country as a goal-creator and goalscorer par excellence. He remains England's record international goalscorer, with 49.

The highpoint of Charlton's international career came at the 1966 World Cup, where he was one of the key figures in England's sole success in the tournament.

Charlton and England had a jittery 0-0 draw with Uruguay in their opening match but recovered to beat Mexico and France.

Against the Mexicans Charlton opened his account for the tournament with a trademark goal, his right-foot rocket from outside the area flying into the central Americans' net.

In the semi-final against Portugal his thunderous shooting ability again set up England, Charlton scoring two fine long-range efforts in a match some regard as his finest ever.

It was a measure of the fear Charlton induced in opponents that West Germany singled him out for special attention in the final, detailing a young Franz Beckenbauer as a man-marker.

The tactic was not enough to stop England from lifting the title, however, and later that year he received recognition for his input to the England cause by deservedly being named European Footballer of the Year.

Two years later Charlton made a successful return to Wembley, this time with Manchester United for their 4-1 victory over Benfica in the European Cup final.

He remained a key member of England's squad and with Gordon Banks and Bobby Moore, carried his team's hopes into the 1970 World Cup.

England started well and qualified through the group phase, before being paired with West Germany in the quarter-finals. Moore was his usual inspirational self as England surged into a 2-0 lead.

England manager Alf Ramsey controversially substituted Charlton after the Germans had pulled a goal back, and Beckenbauer suddenly enjoyed more space in midfield.

"When Charlton was taken off we couldn't believe our luck," Beckenbauer said later. Germany finished 3-2 winners and there was to be no World Cup repeat for Charlton.

Charlton retired with 109 caps for England, quitting his playing career in 1973 to become manager of Preston North End. He was a director of Wigan Athletic, before becoming a director at Manchester United in 1984.

http://www.espnstar.com/fworldcup/fworldcup_newsdetail_1676336.html