Early in his career when the WM formation was still prevalent, Bobby Charlton featured at inside right, inside left, centre forward and even outside left . Wherever he played, he scored goals. He had a devastating shot and was a powerful header of the ball.
In 810 first class appearances he scored 263 goals.
He remains England's highest scorer in internationals with 49 goals.
During Charlton's career the formations employed moved away from the WM. At the height of his success Manchester United used a 4-3-3 formation with Charlton playing in central midfield, albeit wearing the number 9 jersey. England's famous 'wingless wonders' was actually more of a 4-1-3-2, (in which Stiles played in front of the back 4 and Charlton played deeper than the front men). His powerful acceleration and ability to unleash unstoppable shots from 35 yards made him particularly dangerous in this position.
In the technicolour age when footballers became playboy soccer stars there was a traditional familiarity about Charlton's anti flash muscularity- he seemed to represent a link with a bygone era.
Sir Bobby Charlton was manager and then player manager of Preston North End 1973-75
