{"id":119363,"date":"2023-11-13T15:07:26","date_gmt":"2023-11-13T15:07:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/11\/13\/crowds-gather-for-funeral-procession\/"},"modified":"2023-11-13T15:07:26","modified_gmt":"2023-11-13T15:07:26","slug":"crowds-gather-for-funeral-procession","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/11\/13\/crowds-gather-for-funeral-procession\/","title":{"rendered":"Crowds gather for funeral procession"},"content":{"rendered":"

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PA MEDIA<\/p>\n

Image caption: The funeral procession arrived outside Old Trafford earlier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Crowds have gathered outside the home of Manchester United for the funeral procession of Sir Bobby Charlton.<\/p>\n

The England and Red Devils legend\u00a0died at the age of 86\u00a0in Macclesfield General Hospital on 21 October.<\/p>\n

The funeral cort\u00e8ge arrived at Old Trafford to rounds of applause from mourners at 13:30 GMT.<\/p>\n

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Up to 1,000 guests are expected to pack Manchester Cathedral, including the Charlton family and leading figures from across football.<\/p>\n

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and ex-players Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Steve Bruce, Paddy Crerand and Andy Cole are among those who have already arrived ahead of the service.<\/p>\n

Current players including Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are also in attendance along with former manager and player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and England manager Gareth Southgate.<\/p>\n

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Image caption: Sir Bobby was instrumental in English football\u2019s greatest achievements<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Widely hailed as one of England\u2019s greatest-ever players, Sir Bobby was a key figure in the Three Lions\u2019 1966 World Cup victory.<\/p>\n

During a 17-year first-team career with United, he won three league titles, a European Cup and an FA Cup.<\/p>\n

From 1958 to 1970 he played for England and achieved 106 caps, a record-breaking 49 goals, the famous 1966 World Cup win, and a Ballon d\u2019Or.<\/p>\n

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Image caption: Fans applauded as the cortege passed by<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Former United\u2019s former player, Bryan Robson said Charlton was the first to welcome him to the club when he signed for a record fee in 1981.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember when I first joined the club, I was a record signing at the time and Sir Bob was the first one after I signed the contract to come and say it\u2019s a great club, enjoy yourself here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a sad day for the family, for Manchester United but also for football because he was a fantastic player.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he wasn\u2019t just a great player, he was a great person, he had time for everyone and wanted to help everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Image caption: Fans have lined the route from Old Trafford to Manchester Cathedral<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sir Bobby\u2019s teammate Alex Stepney described Charlton as a \u201cgreat family man\u201d, adding that his success \u201cnever went to his head\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy memory was meeting him for the first time when I got signed [at United],\u201d Stepney told the BBC.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew straight away what a great guy he was, a humble guy.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing was over his head or anything like that, it was all about playing for Manchester United.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven on international duty it was about winning and that was what Bobby Charlton was all about.\u201d<\/p>\n

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