13 November 2023 , 14:00
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Prince William has arrived at the funeral for Sir Bobby Charlton as many high-profile football legends are in attendance to see the Manchester United legend laid to rest.
Thousands of fans lined the streets of Manchester today to say farewell to Sir Bobby Charlton. Many wore the colours of Manchester United as they gathered at the city’s Cathedral. Players past and present paid tribute.
Bryan Robson, who captained United, recalled how Sir Bobby was the first person to greet him when he signed for the club. Speaking at the North entrance of the cathedral, as the golden autumn leaves fell from the trees and the Cathedral bells rang out, he said: “He was a fantastic footballer but also a fantastic person and that is how he should be remembered.
The coffin arrives for the memorial funeral service for Sir Bobby Charlton, at Manchester Cathedral (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)“He was the first person I met when I signed and he told me: ‘This is a great club. Just go out and enjoy your time here.”
He added: “When we won the Premier League for the first time he was there. It is really important you have a man of his stature, he was part of the club’s history. He was just a great person.”
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England manager Gareth Southgate joined a congregation of 400 invited guests and around 600 members of the public. Steve Bruce, Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes were among the first to arrive for the service.
Earlier, thousands gathered to say one last goodbye to Charlton today - describing him as "Mr Manchester United." The football world will pay tribute to one of its most famous sons at the city's cathedral.
Gareth Southgate arrives for Sir Bobby Charlton's funeral (Getty Images)Sir Bobby's wife of 62 years, Lady Norma, 83, will lead mourners including their children Andrea, 62, and Suzanne, 60. Players past and present were gathering to remember one of the all-time greats. Lifelong fan Jim Dippall, 68, who went to his first United game at Old Trafford in 1964, said: "He was my hero back then, I idolised him.
"I used to get the football pink straight after the games to read about him and when I met him, he was just a fabulous bloke."
Jim was in goal for a Manchester Styal side who came up against an 'all-star' team which included Sir Bobby in 1992. He recalled: "He took a free kick, it was on the edge of the box. I was waiting for him to take it, and I was still waiting when it was in the back of the net. I didn't even see it, he hit it that hard."
Mick Wilcock, 71, known as 'Smiler', saw his first United game against Shamrock Rovers in 1958 - and has been a fan ever since. He said: "To me, Sir Bobby was Mr Manchester United. That is why I am here today, I wanted to pay my respects, and I know there will be a tear in my eye.
A hearse carrying the coffin of Sir Bobby Charlton (Getty Images)"The European Cup winning team of 1968 was my team, the final at Wembley was the greatest night of my life. I went to Old Trafford to pay my respects when we lost Sir Matt, and I wanted to do the same for Sir Bobby."
Sam Smart, 67, Manchester's first black fireman, told how he would never forget the Munich air disaster. "Sir Bobby was left lying in hospital," he said. "But he came back.
"They were different days, he played because he really loved the game. It is more of a job for the players of today; Sir Bobby never lost that passion."
John Williams, 80, fought back tears as he remembered the Busby Babes. He used to watch them training when they would come to speak to fans. "Back then there were no high fives, it was a handshake or a pat on the shoulder," he said.
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"Bobby came to training on a bike, there were no Ferraris or Lamborghinis. He was a working-class lad from Ashington and he was a working class hero.
"We saw the all-time greats, Puskas, Di Stefano, at Old Trafford because of that team. But he was up there with the best of them. It was the Theatre of Dreams back then."
Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill arrive for the memorial funeral service (Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)The dad-of-two wore a T-shirt to remember them and recalled the great teams of the 50s and 60s. Gareth Southgate, England Manager, is there with Debbie Hewitt, FA chair and FIFA vice-president; Sir Alex Ferguson, former United manager and ambassador.
The service, with Canon Nigel Ashworth, will hear eulogies and tributes from David Gill, former chief exec of Man Utd, and John Shiels, one of the club's Foundation, as well as a personal tribute from the family.
Hymns will include Abide with Me by Henry Francis Lyte, Brother James’ Air by James Leith Macbeth Bain, and Jerusalem by William Blake. Opera singer Russel Watson will sing How Great Thou Art.
Sir Bobby played for Manchester United from 1956-1973, with 758 appearances, scoring 249 goals. He won three league titles, the FA and European Cup.
Sir Bobby represented his country from 1958-1970, winning 106 caps and scoring 49 goals. He went on to serve Manchester United with distinction as a director for 39 years, and his legacy will live on through the work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.