The sad news this afternoon is that football legend Sir Bobby Charlton has passed away this morning at the age of 86…
“It is with great sadness that we share news that Sir Bobby passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was surrounded by his family” a statement from the family said.
“Very sad news to hear of the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton. A true great of the game. Thoughts and prayers go out to Sir Bobby’s family,” Chris Sutton.
Very sad news to here of the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton. A true great of the game. Thoughts and prayers go out to Sir Bobby’s family.
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) October 21, 2023
One of the true greats of the game has left us. Bobby Charlton was a terrific footballer and by all accounts a very decent human being. #RIPBobby pic.twitter.com/Ivn5SqVNVh
— Lisbon Lion (@tirnaog_09) October 21, 2023
RIP Bobby Charlton. pic.twitter.com/z0KkFBXAvF
— Irish Football Pics (@irish_pics) October 21, 2023
Celtic v Preston in a pre season friendly Bobby Charlton was the Preston player manager ☘️☘️ pic.twitter.com/xRzVy2EdXH
— Willie Collow (@CollowWillie) July 8, 2022
Sir Bobby Charlton wearing the Hoops in Ron Yeats Testimonial. #Celtic provided the opposition in his 1972 benefit. pic.twitter.com/3Y2Mtg3ync
— Brian McNally (@McNallyMirror) October 11, 2016
Bobby Charlton shakes the hand of Billy McNeill before his testimonial match against Celtic in 1972.
Clive Thomas , the referee, only has eyes for Cesar 💚 pic.twitter.com/6AlL27BccV— Highland__Paddy (@Highland__paddy) July 23, 2021
The day Bobby Charlton Played For Celtic…
This from Liam Kelly on The Celtic Star on 1st October 2021…
Every week, thousands of Celtic fans remind the sporting world that “most of the football greats have passed through Parkhead’s gates,” and they’re right to do so.
Celtic have had some fantastic players throughout the decades, from the Lisbon Lions and Quality Street Gang to the Bhoys of Seville and the Invincibles. However, there have also been a multitude of superstars to have donned the hoops without signing permanently for the club, and some have even done so without playing at Paradise.
This was one such occasion…
Celtic were invited to provide the opposition for the testimonial of Liverpool’s Ron Yeats. Taking place at Anfield on 13 May 1974, the Celts dismantled the English giants 4-1. An army of 10,000 travelling fans enjoyed celebrating goals from Victor Davidson, Bobby Lennox, Harry Hood and then Preston North End manager – a certain Bobby Charlton!
Bobby Charlton in the hoops. He was playing for Celtic against Liverpool in Ron Yeats’ Testimonial pic.twitter.com/O0erhOqtJ6
— Liam Kelly (@cfcliamk96) October 1, 2021
At the age of 36, Charlton was wanting to prepare for a playing comeback at Preston and Jock Stein was only too happy to field the World Cup winner as a special guest. The Englishman found the net with a trademark powerful right footed shot in the 17th minute, his goal giving Celtic the lead in the process.
The game was a great event for the 29,000 spectators and a match that pleased both Stein and Shankly for the spirit in which it was played. A great occasion, when another football great wore the hoops.
And this one also from Liam Kelly on 27 May 2021 on The Celtic Star…
Bobby Charlton Steals The Show As Celtic Face Preston North End
It was recently announced that Celtic will host Preston North End at Paradise on 17 July. This match is a re-run of an encounter in August 1974, when the two sides met in Glasgow. With that fixture in mind, today’s photo of the day shows Bobby Charlton leading the Preston players out, being applauded by Danny McGrain, Kenny Dalglish and the vast majority of Celtic supporters.
Celtic will play Preston in pre season. Here’s a pic of a friendly we played against them in 1974. Bobby Charlton scored for them that that day, in a 2-1 for the English side. 3 legends in this photo pic.twitter.com/esdCuhzyYY
— Liam Kelly (@cfcliamk96) May 27, 2021
Charlton had recently relinquished his managerial duties at the English club by this point, but continued as a player alongside the legendary Nobby Stiles. Bobby was the star attraction for the game and duly scored the winner in a 2-1 victory for Preston, something which brought great cheers from the home crowd, such was the esteem in which the Celtic fans held Charlton. However, the match also stood out for many further reasons.
Firstly, Celtic broke from tradition by wearing the green and black striped away kit for a home game. This enabled Preston to wear their famous all white kit. Much more bizarre though, was the fact that this fixture took place 24 hours before the Bhoys had a Drybrough Cup Final against Rangers (Celtic won that game 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw). Many changes were made for the friendly as a result, but Dalglish started both matches. The final oddity was that Celtic scored straight from kick off when Andy Lynch headed home a long ball after 30 seconds.
Liam Kelly
