Bobby Charlton

Early Life

Bobby Charlton was born on October 11, 1937, in Ashington, England. He came from a family that loved football. His mother's side of the family was very good at football. His brother Jackie and his cousins also played football professionally.

As a young boy, Bobby loved to play football in the streets with his friends. He was very good at kicking the ball, and everyone could see that he had special talent. He practiced every day after school. His mother always knew where to find him - he was always playing football!

Starting His Career

When Bobby was 15 years old, Manchester United saw how good he was. They asked him to join their youth team. Bobby was very happy! He moved from his small town to Manchester to follow his dream of becoming a football player.

At first, Bobby lived with a nice family in Manchester. He trained very hard every day. The coaches at Manchester United liked him very much. They could see that he was going to be a very special player.

The Munich Air Disaster

In 1958, something very sad happened. Bobby and his team were in a plane crash in Munich, Germany. The plane crashed because of bad weather. Many of Bobby's teammates and friends died in the crash. Bobby was very lucky - he survived. This was a very difficult time for him, but he stayed strong.

After the crash, Bobby helped to build a new team at Manchester United. He wanted to make his friends who died proud. He worked harder than ever before.

His Amazing Career

Bobby played for Manchester United for 17 years (1956-1973). During this time, he became one of the best football players in the world. Here are some of the amazing things he did:
- He played 758 games for Manchester United
- He scored 249 goals for the team
- He won many important prizes with Manchester United
- In 1968, he helped Manchester United win the European Cup
- He was named European Footballer of the Year in 1966

Bobby was also very important for England's national team. His best moment came in 1966. England won the World Cup that year! Bobby played very well in all the games. He helped England beat West Germany in the final game at Wembley Stadium. This made all English people very happy and proud.

How He Played Football

Bobby was special because he could do many things well on the football field. He could:
- Run very fast
- Kick the ball very hard
- Score goals from far away
- Pass the ball very well to his teammates
- Help his team in defense and attack

People loved to watch Bobby play because he was very exciting. He could shoot the ball very hard with both feet. When he got the ball, fans would stand up because they knew something special might happen.

His Playing Style

Bobby always played fair. He was very polite on the football field. He never got angry or fought with other players. Young players looked up to him because he was a good example. He showed that you can be successful and nice at the same time.

He always wore his hair in a special way. Because he was losing his hair, he combed it across his head. This became his famous look. Many people remember him this way.

After Playing Football

When Bobby stopped playing football, he didn't leave the sport. He helped Manchester United in many ways:
- He became a director at the club
- He helped choose new players
- He watched many games and gave advice
- He helped young players

He also did many good things to help other people. He worked with charities and helped poor children play football. Many people loved him because he was always kind and helpful.

Family Life

Bobby married his wife Norma in 1961. They were very happy together and had two daughters. His family was very important to him. Even when he was very busy with football, he always made time for them.

Awards and Honor

Bobby won many awards in his life because he was such a great player and person:
- He was knighted by the Queen in 1994 (people called him Sir Bobby Charlton)
- He was named one of the best players of the 20th century
- Many young players wanted to be like him
- Manchester United named a part of their stadium after him
- He is in the Football Hall of Fame

Sad News

Bobby Charlton died on October 21, 2023. He was 86 years old. People all over the world were very sad. Everyone in football remembered what a great person he was. Many people said nice things about him:
- They said he was a true gentleman
- They remembered his amazing goals
- They talked about how kind he was
- They said he made football better

His Legacy

Bobby Charlton will always be remembered as one of the best football players ever. But more than that, people will remember him as a very good person. He showed that you can be successful and kind at the same time.

Young football players today can learn many things from Bobby:
- Work hard every day
- Be nice to other people
- Play fair
- Never give up
- Help others when you can
- Stay humble even when you are successful

Simple Facts About Bobby Charlton

Here are some easy-to-remember facts about Bobby:
- Born: October 11, 1937
- Died: October 21, 2023
- Birthplace: Ashington, England
- Team: Manchester United
- Years played: 1956-1973
- Games played: 758
- Goals scored: 249
- World Cup winner: 1966
- Married to: Norma Charlton
- Children: Two daughters

Important Words to Know

Here are some important words from the text:
- Legend: A very famous or important person
- Professional: Doing something as a job
- Survive: To stay alive after something dangerous
- Career: The work you do in your life
- Trophy: A prize you get for winning
- Charity: Helping people who need help
- Legacy: The good things people remember about you
- Gentleman: A man who is always polite and kind
- Humble: Not proud or boastful
- Honor: Great respect and admiration

Conclusion

Bobby Charlton was more than just a football player. He was a hero to many people. He showed that being good at sports is important, but being a good person is more important. People will remember him for:
- His amazing goals
- His love for Manchester United
- His kindness to others
- His good behavior
- His help for young players

Bobby Charlton's story teaches us that we can all be successful if we work hard and stay kind. He will always be remembered as one of football's greatest players and finest people.

Reading Comprehension Questions: Bobby Charlton

True or False Questions

Mark these sentences as True (T) or False (F):
1. Bobby Charlton was born in Manchester.
2. He played football for Manchester United for 17 years.
3. Bobby Charlton never won the World Cup with England.
4. He survived a plane crash in Munich.
5. The Queen made him Sir Bobby Charlton in 1994.
6. He had three daughters.
7. Bobby Charlton died in 2023.
8. He scored more than 300 goals for Manchester United.
9. He married his wife Norma in 1961.
10. He was born in 1937.

Multiple Choice Questions
Choose the best answer (a, b, c, or d):

1. How old was Bobby when he joined Manchester United?
a) 11 years old
b) 13 years old
c) 15 years old
d) 17 years old

2. Which of these did Bobby Charlton NOT do?
a) Help choose new players for Manchester United
b) Become a football coach
c) Work with charities
d) Become a director at Manchester United

3. What happened in 1966?
a) He got married
b) He joined Manchester United
c) England won the World Cup
d) He was knighted by the Queen

4. How many games did Bobby play for Manchester United?
a) 658 games
b) 758 games
c) 858 games
d) 958 games

5. What was special about Bobby's playing style?
a) He often fought with other players
b) He only played in defense
c) He could shoot well with both feet
d) He only scored close goals

Short Answer Questions
Answer these questions in simple sentences:

1. Where did Bobby Charlton live when he first moved to Manchester?
2. What happened to Bobby's teammates in Munich?
3. Name two things Bobby did to help Manchester United after he stopped playing.
4. Why did people say Bobby was a gentleman?
5. What part of Manchester United's stadium is named after him?

Complete the Sentences
Fill in the blanks with words from the article:

1. Bobby Charlton was born in ________, England.
2. He won the European Cup with Manchester United in ________.
3. Bobby was named European Footballer of the Year in ________.
4. He scored ________ goals for Manchester United.
5. People called him Sir Bobby Charlton after he was ________ by the Queen.

Matching Exercise
Match the word with its meaning:

1. Legacy a) Doing something as a job
2. Professional b) A prize you get for winning
3. Trophy c) The good things people remember about you
4. Humble d) Not proud or boastful
5. Charity e) Helping people who need help

Discussion Questions
Think about these questions and discuss them with others:

1. Why do you think Bobby Charlton is remembered as a "legend"?
2. What can young football players learn from Bobby Charlton's life?
3. Why was Bobby Charlton important for both Manchester United and England?
4. How did Bobby Charlton help other people after his football career?
5. Which of Bobby's qualities do you think was most important? Why?