Football lovers bid farewll to Bobby Charlton

Thousands of people gathered in Manchester to say their final goodbyes to Bobby Charlton, a legendary figure in Manchester United and English football.

Charlton, who passed away at the age of 86 last month, was widely regarded as one of England’s greatest players, but his unfortunate accidental fall at his care home on October 21 led to his demise.

As the funeral procession made its way towards Manchester Cathedral for a private funeral service, onlookers lined the streets, applauding and displaying banners.

The procession passed by United’s Old Trafford stadium, where the famous “United Trinity” statue of Charlton, Denis Law, and George Best stands.

Members of United’s Under-18 and Under-21 squads formed a guard of honor, paying their respects.

The funeral service, which commenced at 2:00 PM GMT, was attended by approximately 1,000 guests, including former United manager Alex Ferguson, England national team coach Gareth Southgate, and Prince William, the president of the Football Association.

Current and former players also joined the gathering, as numerous black-and-white photographs showcasing Charlton’s illustrious career were on display, highlighting his accomplishments both as a player and as a director at the club.

Before the service, former United captain Bryan Robson described Bobby Charlton as an exceptional player having won the World Cup, and the Champions League coupled with a long and successful career.

Alex Stepney, a former teammate, said despite his immense success, Charlton remained down-to-earth and was a player who always focused on playing for Manchester United.

The service included a eulogy delivered by former Manchester United CEO David Gill.

Former England captain Gary Lineker emphasized that Charlton was more than just a footballer in many ways, adding that he was synonymous with the word ‘football.