English giants Manchester United are all set to rename the South Stand of Old Trafford after their legend Sir Bobby Charlton.
The move comes almost 60 years after the Englishman made his debut for the Red Devils, and the new name will be unveiled in the presence of Charlton, key members of his family and other greats of the sport with an expected attendance of 75,000 supporters on 2nd April, when Manchester United are scheduled to face Everton.
The Stand is the only part of the ground that still contains some original part of the 1910 stadium infrastructure.
The former England international joined the club in 1953 as a 15-year-old and made his debut in October 1956. He scored 249 times in his 758 appearances for the Premier League side, and ended his career with 106 international caps for the Three Lions scoring on 49 occasions.
He held the record for the highest number of goals for England, before Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney broke that record in September last year.
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“Bobby is, quite simply, the most iconic figure in English football history. A player, a diplomat, a gentleman and a tireless worker for charity, he represents everything that is good about football and Manchester United”, Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward told the club’s website during the announcement.
“It has been a privilege to know him and humbling to work alongside him for the last 10 years. Renaming the South Stand, which contains both the Directors’ Box and the old players’ changing rooms, is a fitting tribute to all that Bobby has contributed to the club both as a player and a director.”
Charlton was delighted after the announcement and said that he was honoured by the club’s decision.
“This is a great honour and I am very proud – for myself and my family – that the club has chosen to name the South Stand after me. Manchester United has been such an important part of my life and I have so many wonderful memories of this Theatre of Dreams”, he said in a statement on the club’s website.
