Football Daily - Remembering Sir Bobby Charlton

Episode Date: October 21, 2023

This is a special episode celebrating the life of England and Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton. Mark Chapman is joined by former England strikers Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, as well as former Man Utd captain Steve Bruce. Also hear from football correspondent John Murray, former England manager Roy Hodgson, ex-Man Utd players Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick, and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. And hear archive audio from Sir Bobby himself on winning the World Cup.02:05 Football correspondent John Murray 03:30 Sir Bobby Charlton on winning the World Cup 05:05 Gary Lineker on ‘England’s greatest ever player’ 09:10 Alan Shearer and Steve Bruce on a fellow son of the northeast 14:20 Former England manager Roy Hodgson on a ‘humble and charming man’ 15:45 Ex-Man Utd players Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick reaction 17:45 Man City boss Pep Guardiola sends ‘big hug’

BBC Sounds. Music, radio, podcasts. A remarkable man. His story, you know, his life story is incredible. Charlton going for a one-two and getting it. Oh, what a goal! The man is just a walking legend. He is a fantastic person. I like him, I love him very, very much.

Of course he was a great man, but he helped us also to be successful by his presence. A life touched by tragedy. I always felt that Bobby went into Munich as a boy, but came out as a man. I pulled him about 15, 20 yards away. I thought they were dead. I'm sure at the time they would have been thinking,

will I ever play again? But he not only played again, I mean, he won everything that you could possibly win. A purist, a lover of the simple things. Bob would have played football, would have played him or not. Whenever you see him play, he always had that sweep, didn't he, of the hair. We had a bit of a laugh about that, you know,

but he wasn't going to change it because of us. He turned despair into the extraordinary. Different class, absolutely different class. Every generation comes by, you get a naturally gifted player. Alf used to say, give the ball to Bobby. He gets up from Charlton. It's worth trying. You've just got to watch the goals. I mean, they're just unbelievable goals. And here comes Charlton.

Oh, great goal! To do what he's done, you're talking about, you know, one in a million footballer. Without doubt, he's up there with the best. And question with the best put of all time.

Hello, welcome to a special Football Daily podcast remembering Sir Bobby Charlton who has died at the age of 86.

Let's start with our football correspondent, John Murray. Bobby Charlton enjoyed a life in football that was truly the stuff of dreams. Yet at 20 years old, he was dragged from the wreckage of an aeroplane by goalkeeper Harry Gregg and survived the Munich air disaster of 1958 in which 23 people, including eight of his Manchester United teammates lost their lives. Within a month he was playing again and 10 years later as captain Bobby Charlton

scored two goals at Wembley as his club managed by fellow crash survivor Matt Busby became the first from England to win the European Cup. By then he was already a World Cup winner in the same team as his brother Jack, and was named European Footballer of the Year. He won 106 caps, and between 1968 and 2015, no one had scored more goals for England than Bobby Charlton, who finished with 49. His 758 appearances and 249 goals for Manchester United were club records. And while he wasn't cut out for management, he was a long-time Manchester United director, one of the stands at Old Trafford is named after him, and he was knighted in 1994. It is possible Sir Bobby Charlton's footballing achievements might never be equalled.

Let's go back to one of those achievements, England beating West Germany 4-2 to win the World Cup in 1966. And Bobby, along with his brother Jack, were both in the team. There was a lot of good players to pick from. And Alf Ramsey came in 1963, I think. He brought in players maybe that Walter Winterbottom wouldn't have brought in. Players who probably the general public would have thought, well, he's not good enough to play for England, but they were good team people, you know. I don't think that my brother Jack maybe would have been picked. I certainly don't

think Nobby Styles would have been picked because everybody expected an England player to do everything great and positive. But at the same time, thinking professionally, you have to get somebody that's got to win the ball. And Alf Ramsey, the manager, he told us from the beginning, we are good enough, we will win the World Cup in 1966 because we have the best players. And prior to the World Cup in 1966, which most people seem to have forgot, is that we went everywhere in the world and won.

We were almost unbeaten anywhere. It wasn't because we were playing at home that we were the favourites. Our track record over the previous two years, we'd beaten almost everybody. When we won in 1966, the manager was right, all his staff were right, the players right throughout the squad, you know, they were the right players, they were good enough to do it. The standard of play, the standard of player was so good. Every team that you played against, you know, was a really tough match, hard match. And I remember when we won the match, we beat Germany in the final 4-2.

And Jack said to me, he said, well, what about that kid? And I said, well, our lives will never be the same again after this. And it hasn't been. There has never been a day since that that someone hasn't mentioned the World Cup in 1966. So Bobby Charlton talking about winning the 1966 World Cup. Gary Lineker joins us. You've tweeted, haven't you, Gary? England's, for you, England's greatest ever player.

I think so. You can only really judge players that you've seen in your lifetime, I think. And I was lucky enough to see Bobby Charlton play when I was a young boy. He was, in many ways, one of my heroes and many people's heroes. It's a very sad day.

And I think, I mean, it's always difficult, isn't it, to judge the best ever. But I think Bobby Charlton was synonymous with English football for such a long time. He was one of those people that you could go to a country where no one spoke English in any part of the world and people would say Bobby Charlton. And that I think is fame and testament to his abilities. When you watched him as a footballer as a kid then, what did you like so much about him? I think for someone that's a youngster at the time scoring goals, it was his incredible finishing. I remember when I finished one goal short of him in my international career. And I've been interviewed after that last game of my career.

And they were saying, you must be really disappointed. And I do remember making the point at that particular time that I said, well, if you'd have told me that one day I'd be one short of Bobby Charlton I'd have snapped your hand off and the other thing I said was that Bobby Charlton scored proper goals he scored all sorts of goals he could score them from outside the box he could you know that that incredible power and venom in his shots that and I think that was the thing that caught my eye very much in the early days. That power still comes through today doesn't it you know when you watch old footage sometimes of games and they don't look as quick or as powerful at times as the modern day footage that we now see.

And yet one of the things that strikes me is that Sir Bobby Charlton's shot always looked as powerful compared to any modern day footage that you would see. Absolutely. He's just a pure striker of a football. And as summed up, I suppose, by the goals that he scored in the World Cup final,

one of them was just slotted away, wasn't it? With the instep. So he was, you know, he was a very thoughtful player. And yes, he's famous for his long shots, but he was also, he knew how to finish when at the right time. And I think that was part of his magic. And you've got to remember as well, I think it's quite important

that he ended up with 48 goals. I know it's been eclipsed now by, you know, Messrs Rooney and Kane. But he was more of a midfield player than a forward. So that record is truly remarkable. A thoughtful player and also a thoughtful man on the time I was lucky enough to meet him. Absolutely. He was a real gentleman and so incredibly modest

for someone that had achieved so much in the game. He just seemed so humble all the time. But he also had an aura about him, which I think is probably, I think aura comes from the, not necessarily from the person, but how you view that person. And it just felt like I was,

whenever I was with him, it was like footballing royalty. And you had so much respect for the man. But I think what made him even more special was that modesty that he would show at all times, whoever you were with. Thank you, Gary.

My pleasure. Sorry it's such a sad day. Yes, absolutely. Gary Lineker with us. 1966 teammate, Geoff Hurst. Very sad news today. One of the true greats, Sir Bobby Charlton, has died. We'll never forget him, nor will all of football.

Manchester United, former players as well. Eric Cantona, rest in peace. Dear Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the best of all time. David Beckham, it all started with Sir Bobby. Sir Bobby was the reason I had the opportunity to play for Manchester United. I'll forever be grateful to him. He was someone who I admired and who was a hero to many around the world, not just in Manchester and in our country where he won the

World Cup in 1966. Former England striker Alan Shearer and former Manchester United captain Steve Bruce are with us, both sons of the North East. Alan, as Sir Bobby was himself. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, we've been so fortunate

that we've produced some wonderful players over the years in the North East, but none better than that guy. He was iconic. He was a legend. And he'll be remembered forever because of who and what he was. I mean, he had an unbelievable career,

but he was such a nice guy. He was so down to earth. And whenever you were in his company, there was always just kindness came from him, how are you doing, what are you doing, what are you up to, where are you going he was a wonderful man. Iconic and

loved for his achievements with England, iconic and loved as Gary Lineker was telling us around the world but particularly Steve for the red side of Manchester and a club that you captained? Oh, arguably, he's arguably been the best. I mean, has there been anybody better?

And certainly in Manchester United, it's great history. And of course, for the country, when you consider the amount of goals he scored from a midfield player and left foot, right foot. But as Alan just alluded there too, he was from the North East and that usually carries with it a certain sense of humility and he had it in abundance. I remember when I first went, every week he'd come into the changing room before the game and wish you the best of luck and have a cup of tea with you.

And I'm sitting down and he's giving me a little bit of, just going out and enjoying it on a winter day. And after he goes, I think to myself, dear me, there's the great Bobby Charlton, just wishing me the best of luck. I had to pinch myself, you know, and everywhere we went, even though we're Man U, all across the world, the first person that anybody would ask about is, oh, so Bobby Charlton, anywhere, all across the world, the first person that anybody would ask about is, oh, Sir Bobby Charlton.

Anywhere you were in the world, he was a great footballer and a great man. And my thoughts and sympathies are with Lady Norma and, of course, his family too. The Manchester United website, this paragraph is, when you just read this out, a graduate of our youth academy, Sir Bobby played 758 games and scored 249 goals

during 17 years as a player with us, winning the European Cup, three league titles and the FA Cup. And for England, he won 106 caps and scored 49 goals and won the 1966 World Cup.

I mean, it is, Alan, it's a paragraph that can take your breath away, really. Well, when you look at the goals that he scored, not only was he a great goal scorer, he was a scorer of great goals. I mean, that shot of his was pretty iconic, wasn't it? I mean, if any youngsters are looking at how to hit a football,

then look at how many times he did it over the years. Some of the great goals that he scored, wow, were just unbelievable. But you're absolutely right. I mean, when you listen to that, I mean, 17 years and 758 games for one of the biggest clubs around. And when you look at some of the great players that have been at that football club, then everyone will tell you how much he stood out above all of them. With the emotional attachment as well, Steve, as John Murray said, of being a man

pulled out of the Munich air crash. Yeah, and that never left him, I don't think either. He never really ever wanted to talk about it. I think he was one of the fortunate ones who walked away from it where, let's be fair, half the team lost their lives and it stayed with them forevermore, like I'm sure it did with all of those guys

who survived it. And certainly with Sir Bobby and how fitting it was that 10 years later, he scores two in the European Cup final. What wins the Champions League Cup? Gary and Steve had talked about his presence, Alan. A man with so much presence, but an unassuming presence. Yeah, absolutely.

I mean, if you didn't know football at all and you hadn't seen any football, then you would just think he was this normal guy who had never achieved what he did because he was just so down to earth and so honest and just so humble about everything. I mean, when you read out what he has achieved in the game

and how many games he's played, how many goals he's scored, how many trophies he's won, what he's done in the game, I mean, you could be excused for having that little bit of arrogance, but certainly there was none of that at all, not when I was with him.

And I don't think you'll ever hear anyone say a bad word against him. Alan, Steve, thank you very much. The England manager, Gareth Southgate, has said one of our most iconic players, Sir Bobby Charlton's impact on our only World Cup triumph is there for all to see. The privilege of meeting him on several occasions allowed me to understand his personal pride and emotion

in having represented England and simply confirmed in my mind his standing as one of the gentlemen of the game. Let's hear from a former England manager. Here's Roy Hodgson. I thought Bobby was a really humble and charming man. He wasn't just a great player, he was a really great person as well. So this is a massive loss, not only to the Charlton family, but also to the world of football.

And I'm pretty certain that everyone will echo my sentiments. And all I can do finally is to hope that Norma and the children get some help in dealing with what's going to be a tough grieving process for them because they're a very close family. Roy, what should that name mean in not just domestic football but in world football? Robbie Charlton, even Jack, the two brothers, what they did for English football is quite incredible.

So I don't think there's any doubt that in English football their name is blazoned in glory and is right at the very, very top of everyone's thoughts when you talk about the great players that England have had. World football, I think it will resound. Bobby's death will sadden people all over the world in every continent. Roy Hodgson there, and he was speaking after Crystal Palace's 4-0 defeat to Newcastle.

Two former Manchester United players came up against each other in the dugout in the Championship today. Wayne Rooney's first game in charge of Birmingham ended in a 1-0 defeat to Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough. And after the match, both of those two paid tributes to Sir Bobby. Yeah, obviously still a bit in shock coming off the second half and hearing the news. So still in shock, really. So Saturday, Saturday for football, Saturday for his family, of course. I'd like to pass on my condolences to them.

But yeah, ultimately still a bit in shock. He's a great and absolute legend of the game. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn.

Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'n dda iawn. Mae'nwych, ond mae'n foment anodd pan fydd rhywun wedi byw. Mae wedi cael ei broblemau dros y diwethaf o flynyddoedd ac nid yw'n bodoli'n dda, ond mae'n ffwrdd sy'n sioc. Mae'n ffwrdd mawr i mi, yn bersonol ac yn emosiynol, ond mae'n ffigwr anhygoel o gwmpas y byd, yn Llywodraeth ac yn emosiynol, ond rwy'n credu ei fod yn ffigwr anhygoel o amgylch y byd, yn sicr yn Lloegr ac yn rhan o Manchester United.

Roeddwn i'n ddigon diodd i gael gwybod a chael ei gefnogaeth a chael syniadau oedd Manchester United i'w ddweud. Roeddwn i'n bod yn mewn sefyllfa gyda hynny, a dyna beth nad ydw i wedi'i ddatrys. Yn siwr, fe wnaethon ni ei ddewis. Roedd yn foment anhygoel o ryw ffordd, bod ar y llinell a chael y cefnogaeth a'r emosiwn yn y stadion ar hanner heno. Ymddygiad a'r edrych arnyn nhw ac yn gweld Wayne yn sefyll arnaf. Yn amlwg, rydym yn ei wybod, rydym yn gwybod y clwb yn llawer, ac rydym wedi cael ein cyfnod i gyd. Felly roedd yn foment bach sy'n ddifrifol.

Ond fe wnaethon ni fy ngwbl i allan o'r gêm, ac fe wnaethon ni fy ngwbl i allan o'r gêm am ddwy ors neu ddwy foment. I definitely took my eye off the game. Well, I took my eye off the game for a split second or a few moments. Reflecting now, it's tough, you know. It's emotional. But, yeah, as I say, I just wish the family and the club all the very best. That's the former Manchester United players, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney. Pep Guardiola also paid tribute. The Manchester City manager spoke after their 2-1 win against Brighton. Of course,

on behalf of our family, Man City, condolences first of all for his family, Man United of course and English football. I think I love this country for many things

but one of the reasons why is how they take care of the legends in each club. We had Colin Bell in that case today. Look at the tribute that he had, an incredible player too. Max Sanmarby still is with us. So I love that.

So I think he represents not just United, of course, his club, because these type of figures represent more than the titles they won. So that's why, yeah, a big hug for all the people who know him, and it was close to them. Pep Guardiola on Sir Bobby Charlton has died at the age of 86. a big hug for all the people who know him and it was close to them. Pep Guardiola on Sir Bobby Charlton has died at the age of 86, without question, one of the game's greatest ever players.