Photo: PHOTOSPORT
A former New Zealand footballer has recalled Sir Bobby Charlton as a gentleman and one of the most talented players he faced.
Charlton has died at the age of 86 after a long illness.
In May 1967, a year after he won the World Cup with England, Charlton came to New Zealand as part of the club's close season world tour.
He played in both games here - an 8-1 defeat of the Auckland provincial side at Carlaw Park, and the 11-0 thrashing of New Zealand in Christchurch three days later.
Paul Rennell was playing with Eastern Suburbs at the time and was picked for the Auckland game. The 85-year-old has a vivid memory of the game and Charlton in particular.
"He was the star of the day in my mind. George Best dazzled with his skills but would take the mickey out of you. He was arrogant and thought he was the boss. But Charlton, you could talk to him while the game was going on.
"When Charlton was on the ball he had so much time. He was so easy to watch as he had so much control of the ball. I tried to tackle him but he was so quick I couldn't get near him."
In that Auckland game, Best and Noel Cantwell both scored twice, John Aston bagged a hat-trick and Brian Kidd also scored. And while Charlton didn't get on the scoresheet, he was involved in all the goals in some way or another.
At English Park in Christchurch, he controlled the game scoring three times, while Best was twice on the scoresheet.
Rennell recalls that as well as his on-field skills, Charlton was a "true gentleman".
"During the first half he was about to take a shot and I got in the way and the ball smashed against my shoulder and went out for a free kick. He put his hand on my shoulder and asked 'are you okay son, I hope I didn't hurt you'. Not many other top players would have done that."
Manchester United's George Best vs Auckland Goalie Arthur Stroud. Photo: New Zealand Herald/newspix.co.nz.
Charlton lifted three English league titles, an FA Cup and a European Cup in a distinguished 17-year career at Old Trafford.
He also scored 49 goals in 106 appearances for England, famously helping them win the World Cup in 1966.
Part of Manchester United's so-called 'Holy Trinity' alongside club legends Denis Law and George Best, Charlton scored twice in a famous 4-1 extra-time win against Benfica in the 1968 European Cup final as Sir Matt Busby's team became the continent's first English champions.
He was England's record goalscorer until 2015, when Wayne Rooney surpassed the midfielder's tally of 49.
"For me, [he is] England's greatest ever player," former England striker Gary Lineker told the BBC.
One of the most famous Manchester United players of all time has also paid his respects to Charlton, who survived the Munich air disaster in 1958 which tragically claimed the lives of 23 people, including eight of his United team-mates.
"Sir Bobby was the reason I had the opportunity to play for Manchester United," said David Beckham, who made his first-team debut for the club aged 17 after attending Charlton's soccer school. "I owe everything to Sir Bobby."
The Red Devils paid their own tribute, describing Charlton as "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," they said.
In this archived RNZ feature, Mark Burgess and Billy Hunter remember playing against probably the best Manchester United team of all time.
Billy Hunter's programme from the Manchester United vs New Zealand game. Photo: Justin Gregory/RNZ.
RNZ/BBC
