With the passing of Bobby Charlton I take a moment to reflect on legends of the land. As Agincourt is famous in battle so too is Ashington in battle on another field. The brothers Charlton Jack ( photo left ) and Bobby right were born in the Colliery town of Northumberland. Destined to work in the pit and that would have been a pitty destiny took the brothers to the Summits of Soccer. Jack the older brother died at 85 and Bobby died yesterday at 86.
In Cain and Abel fashion the brothers did not get on with each other privately due to some unknown falling out ( as happens) with wives and mothers. The fact is they hardly spoke to each other. The Charltons are one of 20 sets of siblings that played soccer for their country most famously in 1966 when they won the World Cup at Wembley against Germany.
In the coming days we will hear much of their sporting prowess . Both men were honoured in British Society but only Bobby was made a Knight of the Realm whilst Jack was worshipped in Ireland whom he later managed. Typically the great players don’t go on to become successful Club Managers and Bobby’s brief spell at Preston came to an abrupt North End.
Life is strange in the sense that those from the same womb fall out with each other as strangers mix with the blood to cause lasting damage. Especially considering that they were national teammates albeit both playing in Wars of the Roses for Yorkshire Leeds and Lancastrian Manchester. Their mother Cissie died in 1996 aged 84 and Bobby did not attend his brother’s funeral due to illness.
The Soccer world has changed and today there is one family where both brother and sister played soccer for the national team. Let’s pray today that the brothers unite in heaven for that final match , that eternal entertainment where neither yellow nor red card is shown where everyone wins and the referee shows perpetual love and grace. Where there is no longer relegation and every match is at home. Rest in peace Bobby and Jack and give our thanks to Cissie for her marvellous production.
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