Andrew Leatham writes: In the early 1990s, when Manchester was bidding to host the 2000 Olympics, Sir Bobby Charlton (obituary, October 21) was an enthusiastic sporting ambassador. As one of the best known and most popular sporting figures in the world, he was listened to wherever he went and did much to raise the profile of the bid.
I was its press officer and can vouch for his influence, especially among overseas media. At one point an Australian TV crew was in town and it was obvious that they were there to do a hatchet job on Manchester’s bid, comparing it unfavourably with Sydney’s. Among their oddest requests was for a kickabout with Bobby at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s stadium.
I put the request to Bobby and to my astonishment he readily agreed, “Because,” he said, “in all my years of dealing with the media, he’s the first journalist that’s asked me to do something I can do well — play football.”
The 20 minutes or so of the kickabout was duly recorded, Bobby autographed the ball and the reporter left clutching his prized gift. I remain convinced that Bobby’s participation did much to take the sting out of the piece that finally went to air.
Apart from the fantastic, tireless work he did on behalf of the bid, he always found time to speak to his fans, sign autographs and pose for photographs. Little wonder he was revered around the world.
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Professor Sir Ian Kennedy writes: I was a guest at Old Trafford with my nine-year-old son, Tom, a reluctant attendee not greatly taken with football. Bobby Charlton came over and kindly offered to show Tom around while I talked to my host. Bringing him back, Bobby very warmly shook his hand and said, “Enjoy the game, son”. Tom turned to me and not so sotto voce asked, “Who did you say the bald one was?”
Ronnie Hollywood writes: When I was teaching teenagers we would debate the motion “There is more poetry out of verse than in”. To stimulate the discussion I’d say as an example, “Gentlemen, did you ever see Bobby Charlton in full flow gliding gracefully and effortlessly over the ground before letting go his trademark thunderbolt with either foot? That’s what I mean by poetry outside of verse.” He was the perfect example of poetry in motion.