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Bobby Charlton, born in 1937, was one of the most famous of all English players. Born in Ashington, Northumberland, he was signed by Manchester United when aged 17. Initially an inside-right, he switched to outside-left with England and finally became a deep-lying centre-forward renowned for his powerful shot. His total of 49 goals for England remains a record. Charlton scored 198 goals in 606 League games for Manchester United and helped them win the European Cup in 1968, the FA Cup in 1963, and the Football League championship in 1957, 1965, and 1967. He was in England`s winning World Cup side in 1966 and his total of 106 caps (1958-1970) was an England record until passed by Bobby Moore in 1973. Having retired in 1973 he became manager of Preston North End, worked as director of Wigan Athletic, and in 1984 was appointed director of Manchester United. His brother, Jack Charlton, was also an England soccer player and successful manager of the Irish national team. A modest man of great integrity, Bobby Charlton set and maintained the highest standards of sportsmanship. Charlton was awarded a CBE in 1974 and a knighthood in 1994.
Sir Stanley Matthews, born in 1915, played professionally at the top level until the age of 50. Matthews was born in Hanley. He made his debut at age 17 for the local First Division professional team, Stoke City. Two years later, he was selected to play for England.
A right winger, Matthews was a wonderful dribbler whose subtle body swerves, acceleration, and superb ball control unsettled virtually every defender he faced. In 1947 he moved to Blackpool and it was then he finally won a Football Association (FA) Cup, in 1953. At the age of 41, Matthews won the first-ever European Player of the Year award. In 1965 he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, becoming the first active football player ever to receive the honour. Widely respected as the perfect sportsman, Matthews was never cautioned by a referee throughout his 33-year career.
More than 35,000 fans attended Matthews`s retirement game in 1965. So many of the world`s top players came to the game to honour him that four teams formed and played two matches.
Paul John Gascoigne, born in 1967, is a midfield star in the 1990s. He was apprenticed to Newcastle United in 1982 and made his Football League début in 1985. In 1988 he joined Tottenham Hotspur and made his England début that year. Gascoigne was outstanding in the 1990 World Cup for England but was injured in the 1991 FA Cup Final which Tottenham won. In 1992 he was transferred to the Italian club Lazio for £5.5 million. Gascoigne took several months to recover from his injury and sustained further injuries at Lazio which limited his effectiveness as a player. Although popular with Lazio`s fans, he signed for Glasgow Rangers in July 1995 for £4.3 million. The following season (1995-1996) Rangers won the league championship for the eighth successive occasion as well as the Scottish Cup, and Gascoigne was voted Scottish Player of the Year by his fellow professionals. He was a key player for England in the 1996 European Championship (Euro 96).
Gary Winston Lineker, born in1960, is one of the most celebrated footballers of modern times. Born in Leicester, the son of a market trader, he made his first team appearance for Leicester at the age of 18 and played for them for seven years. He played for Everton 1985-1986, Barcelona 1986-1989, and Tottenham Hotspur 1989-1992. He concluded his career with Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan.
Very swift, a brilliant positional player and snapper-up of chances, he played in 80 internationals for England and scored 48 goals (one fewer than the record tally of Bobby Charlton). He scored six goals in the 1986 World Cup which made him its top scorer, and four in the 1990 World Cup. In 1986 he was voted Player of the Year. While with Barcelona (for whom he scored a famous hat-trick against Real Madrid) he helped them win the 1988 European Cup Winners` Cup. In 1991 he won an FA Cup Winners` medal with Tottenham. He is also a very gifted amateur cricketer, snooker player, and golfer. In retirement Lineker became a television sports commentator and hosted his own weekly radio programme. He was awarded the OBE in 1992.
Peter Leslie Shilton, born in 1949, was one of the finest goalkeepers in the world during his very long career in which he won a record number of 125 international caps. Known as "Shilts", he has very large hands, is a perfectionist, trains rigorously, and has developed a scientific approach to his role.
Shilton joined Leicester City in 1966 as understudy to Gordon Banks, transferred to Stoke City in 1974, and to Nottingham Forest in 1977. Shilton played an important part in Nottingham Forest`s League Championship win in 1978 and their two European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980. Shilton also played for Southampton and Derby County. In 125 internationals he conceded only 80 goals. In 1992 Shilton became player/manager of Plymouth Argyle and went on playing well into his forties. He was dismissed by then during the 1994-1995 season and moved to Bolton Wanderers as a goalkeeping coach and an occasional player. He was awarded the OBE in 1990.
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