MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Bobby Charlton, an English soccer icon who survived a plane crash that decimated a Manchester United team destined for greatness to become the heartbeat of his country's 1966 World Cup-winning team, has died.
“Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world,” United said.
“There was always one great hope — the return to greatness of my beloved club,” Charlton said.
The biggest prize of his club career arrived in 1968 as United became the first English club to become champion of Europe.
But Charlton is perhaps best known for being part of the England team that won the World Cup.
Persons:
— Bobby Charlton, Charlton, Wayne Rooney, “ Sir Bobby, ” United, “, Sir Bobby, Alex Ferguson, ” “ Bobby Charlton, ” Ferguson, George Best, Denis Law, United, Busby, ”, Bill Foulkes, Rooney, Ryan Giggs, —, David Beckham, Ferguson, Queen Elizabeth II, ” Robert Charlton, Bobby, Jack, ” Charlton, Robert —, Charlton’s, Matt Busby groaning, Duncan Edwards, Eusebio, Bobby Charlton, Nobby Stiles, Marcus Rashford, Norma, ___
Organizations:
Manchester United, United, England, ”, Portugal, West Germany, Wigan, Irish, Waterford, Best, Charlton, Leeds, Red Star Belgrade, FA, Benfica
Locations:
MANCHESTER, England, United, Manchester, United Kingdom, Munich, Preston, Old Trafford, United’s, Ashington, Germany, Europe, Portugal