Sir Bobby Charlton funeral: Thousands bid farewell to England and Manchester United legend
Thousands of fans have lined the streets to say an emotional final farewell to English football icon Sir Bobby Charlton.
The England and Manchester United legend, who died last month at the age of 86, is being laid to rest on Monday with more than 1,000 people expected to attend the 1966 World Cup winner's funeral at Manchester Cathedral.
Before that private service, the funeral cortege made its way to Old Trafford, where scores of fans turned out to say their own goodbyes to an all-time great. The cortege passed through a guard of honour comprising members of the club's Under-18 and Under-21 squads and past the Trinity Statue of Charlton, George Best and Denis Law.
Hundreds in attendance applauded below two huge black and white photographs - one of Charlton in his Busby Babes playing days and the other of him as the club's elder statesman as a director - adorning the side of the stadium, flanking the words 'Sir Bobby Charlton, 1937-2023. Forever Loved'. Premier League and club flags flew at half-mast.
The hearse then set off for the cathedral via the A56, Trinity Way, Chapel Street and Victoria Bridge.
United great Sir Alex Ferguson lead the arrivals at the cathedral, joined by former United chief executives David Gill and Ed Woodward, current CEO Richard Arnold and former player and coach Paddy Crerand.
"It was very sombre," Ferguson told Sky Sports News afterwards. "Wonderful tribute by his grandson, it's not easy to get up there and the speakers did a great job. [Bobby] was a fantastic man. I'm at United because of Bobby Charlton, no question about that."
Brian Kidd, a team-mate of Sir Bobby's when United won the European Cup in 1968, followed soon after, along with present and past United stars such as Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton.
"Arguably we are talking about the greatest English footballer we have ever had," former United captain Steve Bruce told Sky Sports. "Then of course, he had class as a man too. So when you have the mixture of the two you can understand why there are going to be thousands of people lining the streets.
"One simple thing he always said (when I joined United), 'It's a great club. Just enjoy it, enjoy the privilege of playing for this great football club.'"England manager Gareth Southgate was also in attendance with Premier League chief Richard Scudamore, EFL chief Rick Parry, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano. Prince William, who is president of the Football Association, also attended.
Hundreds more watched on from outside the cathedral and applauded as the hearse arrived for the service. Charlton's family members followed the coffin into the cathedral and the general public watching on fell silent as the doors closed.
The ceremony, which was not filmed or broadcast, was led by Canon Nigel Ashworth and included eulogies and tributes from Gill, former Manchester United Foundation chief executive John Shiels and a personal tribute from Charlton's family.
Hymns will include Abide With Me, which is traditionally sung before the FA Cup final, Jerusalem and a rendition of How Great Thou Art by opera singer Russell Watson.
The Ashington-born midfielder, who made 758 appearances and scored 249 goals for the Red Devils in a glittering 17-year playing career, died at the age of 86 last month.
He survived the 1958 Munich Air Disaster which claimed the lives of eight of his fellow Busby Babes and went on to win the World Cup with England in 1966 alongside older brother Jack and the European Cup with United two years later.
Charlton returned to the club with which he had made his name as a director in 1984 and continued to serve both it and football in general as a much-admired ambassador until his latter years.
