Bobby Charlton's cause of death, plane crash tragedy and bitter 42-year feud with brother that ended in stunning live TV moment
The football legend passed away in October
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards is not only an opportunity to celebrate incredible sporting achievements, but also a chance to reflect on those we have lost from the world of sport in the last 12 months.
Several legendary football figures have sadly passed away from Britain's first £1m footballer Trevor Francis to iconic BBC commentator John Motson. But the world of football was brought to a standstill in October when it was announced that Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton had died.
One of the most respected figures in sport, the footballer passed away aged 86 after an incredible life, which saw him survive a tragic plane crash to win almost everything in the game. Before his death, he even brought a decades-long feud with his older brother to an end in front of a stunned audience at the Sports Personality of the Year awards 15 years ago.
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Football legend
Charlton is regarded as one of Manchester United's and England's greatest players of all time. He played more than 750 times for the Red Devils after joining as a schoolboy, scoring 249 times, while he was also England's long-standing record goalscorer with 49 goals. Those records stood for 44 and 45 years respectively before they were both broken by Wayne Rooney.
A midfielder or centre-forward, Charlton made his debut in 1956 aged 18. The following year, he survived the Munich air disaster that killed eight of his teammates, before helping his side to league and FA Cup titles and captaining them to European Cup glory a decade after the crash.
In that time, of course, he lifted the World Cup as part of the victorious 1966 England squad, alongside his older brother Jack. He finished his career in 1980 after brief spells in Ireland and Australia and is one of nine players to have won the World Cup, the European Cup and the Ballon d'Or.
Bitter feud with brother
Despite playing together for many years - and being part of the same World Cup-winning side - Bobby and Jack Charlton famously shared a strained relationship. While there was never any definitive conclusion as to why the feud started, it has been suggested that it was sparked by Bobby's wife Norma's relationship with their mother, Cassie.
Jack had previously criticised his younger brother for failing to visit Cissie in her final years, suggesting that this was down to Norma's influence. However, Bobby snapped back in his 2007 autobiography, writing: "My wife is a very strong character and does not suffer fools gladly. I am not suggesting my mother was a fool."
"There was a clash," he added. "And it just never went away really. Jack came out in the newspapers saying things about my wife that were absolutely disgraceful. Nonsense.” Bobby went on to claim that he and his brother had “never been further apart than we are now," adding: “I just don't want to know him.”
However, despite their feud lasting 42 years, it was brought to an end just months after Bobby's comments were published, as the Manchester United legend was presented with the 2008 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award.
In an emotional moment, Jack was revealed to be the one presenting the trophy to his brother, as he told the audience: ""Bobby Charlton is the greatest player I've ever seen - and he's my brother." Bobby bowed his head with emotion before the pair shared a warm hug, putting an end to their long-running feud.
Legendary Leeds United defender Jack - who also led the Republic of Ireland to two World Cup finals and a European Championships - died in July 2020 after suffering from lymphoma and dementia.
Cause of death
Charlton passed away in hospital on October 21, 2023 at the age of 86, with his death announced by United. The legendary footballer had been diagnosed with dementia in November 2020 and had withdrawn from public life.
"A statement from the club read: "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.
"A graduate of our youth Academy, Sir Bobby played 758 games and scored 249 goals during 17 years as a Manchester United player, winning the European Cup, three league titles and the FA Cup. For England, he won 106 caps and scored 49 goals, and won the 1966 World Cup. Following his retirement, he went on to serve the club with distinction as a director for 39 years.
It added: "His unparalleled record of achievement, character and service will be forever etched in the history of Manchester United and English football; and his legacy will live on through the life-changing work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation. The club’s heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren, and all who loved him."
An inquest into his death heard that he had been living in The Willows in Knutsford, a nursing home caring for patients with dementia, when he lost balance as he stood up from a chair and fell, striking a window sill and "possibly a radiator". While no visibile injuries were noted at the time, staff later noticed swelling on his back and he was taken to hospital, where it was found he had fractured his ribs and was likely to develop pneumonia.
Doctors then agreed he should be put on end-of-life care and he died five days later. His death was concluded to be accidental, with the coroner giving the cause of death as trauma in the lungs, a fall and dementia.