SIR BOBBY AND HIS GUARDIAN ANGEL OF THE NORTH

“He was as near to perfection as possible, both as a man and a player,” - Sir Matt Busby

Today, while Storm Debi blows gale force winds across the country marks the funeral of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of England's greatest (if not greatest) footballer. It was bad weather that was responsible for the most life-defining moment in Charlton's life when, on the 6th February 1958, he miraculously survived the Munich air disaster that killed eight of his Manchester United teammates and fatally injured many more aboard the charter plane.

The near life ending tragedy must have left an indelible stamp on Sir Bobby who (along with United's manager, Sir Matt Busby) became a phoenix-like symbol for the rise of Manchester United out of the ashes of one of the darkest days in the history of world football.

A two-footed midfielder who had a near perfect balance of power and grace on the field with a propensity for scoring often and in the most important of games, Sir Bobby epitomised the transcendent United spirit of the 1960s whose influence carried through to the class of '92 when a seemingly reincarnated 'Busby Babes' (Mark 2) arrived on the scene with the likes of Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Paul Scholes securing a famous treble in 1999. Sadly the current team of '23 is a pale reflection of those glory days of Charlton and Best and Beckham and Giggs but perhaps, that is why, now, more than ever, the legend of Charlton must endure.

Thinking about what music to play to honour this day of Sir Bobby's funeral I have decided on Elgar's 'Praise To The Holiest' from the composer's oratorio, 'The Dream Of Gerontius', inspired by the poem by Cardinal Newman. In the story of the work, the god-fearing Gerontius is carried by his guardian angel to await judgment before his maker. I'm assuming God is a Manchester United fan and so will look kindly upon Sir Bobby's spirit as it passes into the higher realm. The midfielder has already proved to have had one angel of the north bring him safely back to Manchester in 1958.

Meanwhile, the rest of us (Man Utd) sinners on earth watch the current squad in a state of endless purgatory as we are buffeted from one underwhelming season to the next. Let's hope our storms abate as quickly as Debi.

Charlton's presence will be missed. I hope we find a reincarnated version of him soon to inspire Old Trafford (once again) to greater heights. Meanwhile may the angel of Ashington look down upon us with heavenly favour.

Rest In Peace, Sir Bobby Charlton - 1937-2023