'Bobby Charlton wouldn't have indulged in shenanigans that plague ­football now'

21 October 2023 , 21:10

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Sir Bobby Charlton (Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)

Legend is an overused word. But Sir Bobby Charlton was truly legendary both as a footballer and as a man. Yesterday, we lost one of the greats.

It is not just the elderly who can remember the 1966 World Cup Final and all those winning goals for Manchester United who will grieve for him today. The young mourn him, too, because he was everything a sports star should be. Gracious in victory, humble in defeat. A hero to whom decency came naturally. He was a legend known to generations.

Sir Bobby would never have dreamt of indulging in some of the shenanigans that plague ­football today. He was always honest and honourable both on and off the pitch. From Busby Babe to the end of his 17-year first-team career with United, he was everything a footballer should be.

Tributes have summed up the man. The last surviving member of the 1966 squad, Geoff Hurst, described him as “one of the true greats”. To England manager Gareth Southgate, he was “one of the gentlemen of the game”. To Gary Neville, “England’s greatest player”. To Rio Ferdinand an “icon”. Franz Beckenbauer, the West German striker Bobby had to mark in 1966, once described him as “the best player in the world”. But there are no better words than those on the wreath laid at Old Trafford yesterday. “A great player and an even greater man.”

Harry’s hot air

Environmental campaigners open themselves to charges of hypocrisy when they spout fine words on tackling global warming then burn carbon flying around in private jets. It’s a lesson Harry and Meghan have yet to learn. A day after hearing a New York conference talk about climate change, the couple flew out for a Caribbean holiday in a Falcon 7X.

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They used the same plane to head to Atlanta, belching out a total of 9.6 tons of CO2. No wonder Harry continues to be estranged from his father. King Charles has spent his life warning of environmental disaster and knows better than anyone the importance of ­practising what he preaches. He must despair when his son shows such a disregard for the example he has set. Harry has already done untold damage to the Royal Family. If he nurtures any hope of being reconciled with his father, he must stop adding to the destruction of the planet.

As you lag it

Prisoners are going from barred to verse by putting on Shakespeare’s plays in jail. Organisers say it helps with rehabilitation, and plots can be adapted to tackle struggles with drugs or alcohol. It also boosts morale to turn past mistakes into a comedy of errors.

Voice of the Mirror