WE LOVED YOU BOBBY

AFTER a life of triumph and success, of unimaginable heartbreak and pain, of redemption and recovery, this was Sir Bobby Charlton's final journey.

- TYRONE MARSHALL

One final trip past Old Trafford before a service at Manchester Cathedral that focused on the family man and the 'selfless, kind and generous' soul devoted to helping others.

One thousand people packed the Cathedral for Charlton's funeral before a private committal takes place today with the great and the good of the footballing world in attendance.

But Charlton the football man is a story known around the globe. In tributes from former Manchester United chief executive David Gill, Manchester United Foundation CEO John Shiels and particularly Charlton's grandson, William Balderston, a picture was painted of someone who always had time for others, but who put family at the centre of his thoughts. It was about his goodness as well as his greatness.

Among the first to arrive had been Gill, flanked by Sir Alex Ferguson, an hour-and-a-half before the service was due to begin.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick arrived together, as did current United players Tom Heaton, Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.

Many of Charlton's former teammates were there, as were United players across the generations.

Brian McClair Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and Ashley Young, among others. Current England manager Gareth Southgate was in attendance, along with FA president Prince William and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. Representatives from Real Madrid and Manchester City were present. It was footballing royalty for a football royal.

A son of the north east who made Manchester his home.