22 October 2023 , 08:59
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Sir Bobby Charlton played an instrumental role in launching David Beckham's career at Manchester United before he became a global superstar.
Tributes have poured in from across the world after Charlton, English football and United's greatest ever player, died at the age of 86 in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The 1966 World Cup winner has been hailed for the standards he set throughout his playing career and then after retiring, as he took up a role as a director and ambassador at Old Trafford.
Away from United, Charlton set up his own soccer school back in 1976 and helped unearth a number of players, who would go on to have careers in football, none more high profile than ex-England captain Beckham.
The academy was the first of its kind and staged summer and residential sports camps in the UK and abroad, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp thanking Charlton for his impact on his own career on Saturday night.
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Beckham also revealed how he attended the Bobby Charlton Soccer School in 1985 after seeing an advert on Blue Peter, and that eventually led to the United legend recommending him to his former club.
Speaking in a 2017 BBC documentary about Charlton, Beckham said: "That's how my career started at Manchester United. I went at 10 years old and went back there the year after and ended up winning the competition.
“That was when Sir Bobby contacted Manchester United and said ‘maybe you should have a look out for this young kid’. So I owe everything to Sir Bobby because, if not, maybe I wouldn’t have had the chance of living my dream of playing for the club that I’d supported for so many years and the club my Dad supported.”
Beckham also revealed his middle name Robert was given in homage to Charlton, who was his father's favourite player. The former United winger posted an emotional tribute following the tragic news on Saturday, writing: "Sir Bobby was the reason I had the opportunity to play for Manchester United.
"I will be forever grateful to a man I was named after , someone I looked up to and was a hero to many around the world not just in Manchester and our country where he won the World Cup in 1966… A true gentleman , family man and truly a national hero… Today isn’t just a sad day for Manchester United & England it’s a sad day for football and everything that Sir Bobby represented.. Our thoughts go out to Lady Norma , there daughters and grandchildren. Rest in Peace Sir Bobby."
The soccer school has continued to carry Charlton's name for over 45 years, despite him ending his involvement with the company some years ago, and launched sessions across the world.
It was confirmed in December 2022 that the company had entered liquidation with the Covid-19 pandemic hitting particularly hard with youngsters unable to travel.
According to a document filed with Companies House, the Bobby Charlton Soccer and Sports Academy owed almost £40,000 to its creditors when it entered liquidation.