England Pitch To Be Named After Sir Bobby

Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton is to have a pitch at England's St. George's Park unveiled in his name, to mark the national football centre's fifth anniversary and to coincide with the 1966 World Cup-winning great's 80th birthday.

England manager Gareth Southgate and his squad will join Sir Bobby, his wife Norma and guests for a short ceremony to unveil the Sir Bobby Charlton pitch before the England training session on Monday.

The one-time Ballon d’Or winner, who made 758 appearances in a 17-year United career during which he won a host of honours, including three league titles, an FA Cup and a European Cup, is due to attend England's World Cup qualifier against Slovenia at Wembley as guest of honour, a week before he toasts his 80th birthday. 

England manager Gareth Southgate said: "It’s fantastic to be able to acknowledge the contribution Sir Bobby has made to our game, not only as a player but as an ambassador for the sport. It will be a very proud moment to introduce him to the current set of players and officially unveil the Sir Bobby Charlton pitch.“

Sir Bobby, who is second only to Ryan Giggs in the list of United's all-time appearance-makers, played his final game for his country in 1970, ending with 106 caps and 49 goals to his name. The two tallies topped the England record books, before both were surpassed by fellow United and England great Wayne Rooney, in 2015 and 2016 respectively.