AFTER hanging up his golden boots, Sir Bobby Charlton was still bang on target as a mighty champion of school sports and fitness.
He is pictured with then St Helens North MP Dave Watts, with a national health achievement award at the old Broadway High.
What a special day that must have been for youngsters there as they the footballing icon.
Across the country, people are mourning the loss of Sir Bobby, the England and Manchester United football legend, following his death aged 86.
A book of condolence was opened at 10am on Sunday in the International Suite at United's Old Trafford and supporters laid flowers and scarves and left messages for one of the club’s most famous sons.
One read: “Thank you Sir Bobby, a hero to the worldwide football family,” while a message from fan group The 1958 said: “History, dignity and integrity is what you gave to our great club.
"Our promise to you is to make sure it stays.”
Charlton was a key member of England’s victorious 1966 World Cup team and also enjoyed great success at club level with United, who became the first English club to win the European Cup in 1968.
His former team-mate Denis Law said on manutd.com: “Another sad day. What can I say. Sir Bobby was an unbelievable player and a gentleman. Manchester United meant everything to him.
“We had many special and successful years together and he was a joy to play with. He knew where every player was on the pitch and for me that was a dream. I knew, if Bobby had the ball, it would find me, and it did.
“What a striker of the ball he was. He could hit the ball so hard that I knew most keepers didn’t stand a chance. On the rare occasion they did manage to deflect it, it would drop nicely to me to finish it off.
“Along with George (Best), our partnership was sealed. The great part of playing with Bobby and George was that if one of us was having a bad day, the other two knew and that’s what made our relationship special. I am saddened by the news, like all football fans today.”
His family announced on Saturday afternoon that he had died peacefully in the early hours of the morning surrounded by his family.
United led the tributes, saying in a statement: “Manchester United are in mourning following the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club.
“Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world.
“He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as he was for his outstanding qualities as a footballer; Sir Bobby will always be remembered as a giant of the game.”
Charlton made his debut for United in 1956 and went on to play 758 matches for the Red Devils, scoring 249 goals. Both were long-standing club records until they were overtaken by Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, respectively.
If you have any memories of Sir Bobby's visit to St Helens drop an email to news@sthelensstar.co.uk
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