Sir Bobby Charlton has minor surgery
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Sir Bobby Charlton was handed the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Laureus World Sports Awards on Monday
Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton underwent minor surgery on Monday after being taken ill before the Laureus World Sports Awards.
The 74-year-old World Cup-winner had been due to receive an award but left London after starting to feel unwell on Sunday and needed a minor operation, understood to be to remove a gallstone.
A statement from Laureus read: "Sir Bobby Charlton was unable to receive the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award in person at the Laureus World Sports Awards in London this evening.
"Sir Bobby felt unwell on Sunday and returned to Manchester earlier today for minor surgery.''
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson added: "Sir Bobby is fine, but it was felt he should go back to Manchester. He is very annoyed not to be here to receive this award.
"I'll be taking the statuette back to Old Trafford for him. He loves the work he does for Laureus and I know how delighted he is to have received this tribute.''
"It was already a very emotional night for Bobby. This is the 54th anniversary of the Munich air disaster, when we lost eight of our young players. Through that time, Bobby has kept his fantastic humility, and that makes him very special to me.
"Manchester United is Bobby's life. He came to the club as a 15-year-old boy and he's been with us ever since - he is one of our ambassadors now. In my own 25 years at the club, Bobby has supported every step I've taken.
"At the beginning, they were very small steps. Later, they became big steps. But without his support, I don't know where I'd have been."
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Get well soon Sir Bobby, you are are a gentleman of our fine game.
In the past few weeks the back page headlines have been full of the darker side of the wonderful game that players like yourself created.
Perhaps the modern generation of up and coming so called football stars should take a step back, and take a good look at the contribution that players like you, Sir Geoff Hurst. Sir Bobby Moore, and many others have given to the game.
Giving back far more than the game ever gave to you is a wonderful testimony to the wonderful person you are, and I am not alone in being grateful that you are the greatest of ambassadors for our national game.
I hope you are back on your feet soon.
Sir Bobby Charlton was one of the best players in the world (even though he played for Man U) you can say what you like about the George Best's, Kevin Keegan's but Sir Bobby rose above them all. He is a true legend, I once saw Sir Bobby playing in an international he carried the ball from his own half and hit it from 35 yards out and it flew in the top corner, to celibrate that goal he just shook hands with his team mates...no kissing or hugging...It was a real game then, not like the pansies you get today,
Get well soon soon Sir Bobby
I am Scottish!!!
Matt Edwards. A dimwit? LOL! Test me on my wittednes(less). ANYway. I stand by my comments. As is wrong with this country( small c.) so called celebs/sports persons are put on pedestals. Why? Do you realise that your local football team pays more wages per annum to people who kick a ball about than your local NHS Hospital gets in TWO years??
All I ask is for people to take a step back and think. I know that certain subjects have certain meanings to people,but to put things into perspective?? We have Troops overseas losing life and limb for no reward.
