Bobby Charlton, byname of Sir Robert Charlton was an English football (soccer) player and manager who is regarded as one of the greatest English footballers.
He was a member of the England team that won the 1966 FIFA World Cup, the year he also won the Ballon d’Or. He finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting in 1967 and 1968.
He played almost all of his club football at Manchester United, where he became renowned for his attacking instincts, passing abilities from midfield, ferocious long-range shot, fitness, and stamina.
He was cautioned only twice in his career; once against Argentina in the 1966 World Cup, and once in a league match against Chelsea.
With success at club and international level, he was one of nine players to have won the FIFA World Cup, the European Cup and the Ballon d’Or.
His elder brother Jack, who was also in the World Cup-winning team, was a former defender for Leeds United and international manager.
Born in Ashington, Northumberland , Charlton began his football career with Manchester United at 18 in 1956. He played a key role in their 1957 First Division championship win.
However, his life changed dramatically after surviving the tragic Munich air disaster in February 1958, where he was the sole survivor from the club.
He was instrumental in United’s successes, winning the FA Cup in 1963 and the Football League in 1965 and 1967.
As captain, he led the team to victory in the 1968 European Cup, scoring two goals in the final and making them the first English club to win the title.
Charlton left Manchester United to become manager of Preston North End for the 1973–74 season. He changed to player-manager the following season.
He next accepted a post as a director with Wigan Athletic, then became a member of Manchester United’s board of directors in 1984.
At international level, Charlton was named in the England squad for four World Cups (1958, 1962, 1966, and 1970), though he did not play in the first.
At the time of his retirement from the England team in 1970, he was the nation’s most capped player, having turned out 106 times at the highest level; Bobby Moore overtook this in 1973.
Charlton held the title of the all-time leading goalscorer for Manchester United and England for a considerable period.
Additionally, he was the player with the most appearances for United, having played in 758 matches.
It was not until the 2008 Champions League final that Ryan Giggs surpassed Charlton’s record.
With 249 goals, he was the club’s highest all-time goalscorer for more than 40 years, until his record was surpassed by Wayne Rooney in 2017.
He is also the third-highest goalscorer for England; his record of 49 goals was beaten in 2015 by Rooney, and again by Harry Kane in 2022.
Who was Bobby Charlton?
Bobby Charlton was born in Ashington, Northumberland, England, on 11 October 1937 to coal miner Robert “Bob” Charlton and Elizabeth Ellen “Cissie” Charlton.
He was related to several professional footballers on his mother’s side of the family: his uncles were Jack Milburn (Leeds United and Bradford City),
George Milburn (Leeds United and Chesterfield), Jim Milburn (Leeds United and Bradford Park Avenue) and Stan Milburn (Chesterfield, Leicester City and Rochdale), and legendary Newcastle United and England footballer Jackie Milburn was his mother’s cousin.
However, Charlton credited much of the early development of his career to his grandfather Tanner and his mother Cissie.
His elder brother, Jack, initially worked as a miner before applying to the police, only to also become a professional footballer with Leeds United.
On 21 October 2023, a statement from Charlton’s family confirmed that he had died that morning. He was 86.
All about Bobby Charlton wife Norma Ball
Who was Bobby Charlton married to?
Bobby Charlton was married to Norma Ball, whom he met at an ice skating rink in Manchester in 1959.
They tied the knot in 1961 and stayed together until his death in 2023.
Norma preferred to keep her life private, so not much is known about her background or occupation.
She supported her husband’s football career and raised their two daughters, Suzanne and Andrea.
She also helped him cope with his dementia diagnosis in 2020. She was a devoted and loving wife who stood by Bobby’s side through thick and thin.
About Bobby Charlton Children
Bobby Charlton had two children: Suzanne and Andrea. Suzanne Charlton was born in 1962 and followed her father’s footsteps into football.
She was a goalkeeper for the England women’s national team and later became a weather presenter for the BBC.
Andrea Charlton was born in 1965 and worked as a teacher. She also supported her father’s charitable work and helped raise awareness about dementia.
Bobby Charlton loved his children very much and was proud of their achievements. He was a devoted father and grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his family.
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 player and manager who is regarded as one of the greatest English footballers.
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