Football fans pay classy tribute after announcement of Sir Bobby Charlton death
Fans at the Riverside Stadium for the game between Middlesbrough and Birmingham on Saturday gave Sir Bobby Charlton a fitting tribute following the sad news of his death.
Charlton's family announced at 4pm that the Manchester United legend had died aged 86 following a battle with dementia which began in 2020. The news was relayed to the crowd via the PA system at half-time of the Championship match, prompting both home and away supporters to rise to their feet and applaud before chants of 'There's only one Bobby Charlton' broke out.
A survivor of the Munich Air Disaster in 1958, the ex-United forward was part of the famous England side that won the 1966 World Cup at Wembley - the same year he became only the third British player to win the Ballon d'Or - and lifted the European Cup with the Red Devils two years later. Fans at the Riverside shared stories of Charlton's career, as social media became awash with tributes.
A statement from his family read: "It is with great sadness that we share the news that Sir Bobby passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was surrounded by his family.
"His family would like to pass on their thanks to everyone who has contributed to his care and for the many people who have loved and supported him. We would request that the family's privacy be respected at this time."
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United said in a statement of their own: "Manchester United are in mourning following the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club. Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world.
"He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as he was for his outstanding qualities as a footballer; Sir Bobby will always be remembered as a giant of the game.
Sir Bobby Charlton will be remembered as a football icon (Popperfoto via Getty Images)"A graduate of our youth Academy, Sir Bobby played 758 games and scored 249 goals during 17 years as a Manchester United player, winning the European Cup, three league titles and the FA Cup. For England, he won 106 caps and scored 49 goals for England, and won the 1966 World Cup. Following his retirement, he went on to serve the club with distinction as a director for 39 years.
"His unparalleled record of achievement, character and service will be forever etched in the history of Manchester United and English football; and his legacy will live on through the life-changing work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation. The club's heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren, and all who loved him."
Charlton will be particularly remembered in his native north-east, born in Ashington before becoming a true legend of our game.
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