GARY NEVILLE paid an emotional personal tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton following the legend’s death aged 86.
The Manchester United and England legend, who won the World Cup in 1966, passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning following a battle with dementia.
Ahead of his commentary on Sky Sports as Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, Neville was asked about his memories and the legacy of Charlton.
Neville said: “Manchester United’s greatest representative around the world for 50, 60 years.
“He was one of the original Busby Babes who was part of that tragic Munich air crash and survived it and lost a lot of his team-mates and colleagues in that but came through.
“He won youth cups at Manchester United in the early days under Sir Matt Busby and went on to win the European Cup and the World Cup.
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“Then in the more modern era, a director at the club. He used to come into the dressing room after every single match – win, lose or draw.
“Something when I was a player at the club you might take for granted, an icon a legend would be walking around the changing room saying, ‘Well done,’ or offering his commiserations and trying to pick you up if you’d lost a game.
“It’s obviously a great loss today but I have no doubt that he is English football’s greatest player and ambassador and a champion on and off the pitch.
“European Cup winners were brought in to remind us of the club’s history.
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“If you think about the blazers the players wear currently and we wore through the 1990s and 2000s, they were the blazers the Busby Babes wore and Sir Bobby Charlton wore.
“Those traditions and standards and everything that is good about Manchester United, you couldn’t have anyone better than Sir Bobby Charlton to represent it.
“He always represented Manchester United in the right way. I did a few appearances as an ambassador while I was at the club and he was the greatest.
“The way he spoke about the club was incredible.
“He was the constant through the golden thread linking Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson.”
Jamie Redknapp also revealed he used to go to the Bobby Charlton football academy as a youngster and got to meet the legendary figure when he represented England.
The former midfielder also hailed Charlton’s ability to strike a ball with both feet, score spectacular goals and suggested he is the greatest England player of all time.
Charlton’s family announced his sad passing at 4pm with a statement.
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The family said: “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.”
Charlton made 758 appearances for United, scoring 249 goals and winning five major trophies.
Soccer Saturday presenter Simon Thomas choked back the tears as he announced the news to viewers.
The TV host was visibly moved as he said: “It’s one of those moments that you kind of knew was coming at some point but it is the moment that has so sadly arrived in the last few minutes.
“It’s a statement that comes from the family of the Manchester United, the England legend Sir Bobby Charlton.
“We have seen an absolute giant, a true giant of the game departs football’s stage. A simply magical, wonderful player. A wonderful man as well.”
Geoff Hurst, the last remaining survivor of the successful 1966 World Cup team, led the huge wave of tributes on social media.
He wrote: “Very sad news today – one of the true Greats Sir Bobby Charlton has passed away. We will never forget him and nor will all of football.
“A great colleague and friend he will be sorely missed by all of the country beyond sport alone. Condolences to his family & friends from Geoff and Judith.”
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Gary Lineker tweeted: “Deeply saddened to hear that Sir Bobby Charlton has died. A truly wonderful footballer and genuinely lovely man.
“A World Cup winner, Man Utd great and, for me, England’s greatest ever player. He may no longer be with us but he’ll have footballing immortality. RIP Sir Bobby.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
