Sir Bobby Charlton has England’s St George’s Park training pitch renamed in his honour
THE Football Association are renaming a pitch at St. George's Park after Manchester United veteran Sir Bobby Charlton.
It will be unveiled in honour of the 1966 World Cup winner's 80th birthday and will mark the national football centre's fifth anniversary.
Charlton, who made 758 appearances during a 17-year career with United, will turn 80 on October 11.
The Ballon d'Or winner and his wife Norma will be joined by current England chief Gareth Southgate and his squad for a short ceremony before the training pitch is officially revealed.
Southgate told the club website: "It's fantastic to be able to acknowledge the contribution Sir Bobby has made to our game, not only as a player but as an ambassador for the sport.
"It will be a very proud moment to introduce him to the current set of players and officially unveil the Sir Bobby Charlton pitch."
The 79-year-old will also be welcomed as a guest of honour at Thursday's World Cup Qualifying fixture against Slovenia at Wembley.
If England can secure victory, then it will cement their qualification for next summer's tournament in Russia.
The Three Lions, who are currently two points clear at the top of Group F, will then take on Lithuania in Vilinius three days.
Charlton was an integral element to the international squad that triumphed against Germany 4-2 in the 1966 World Cup final.
Last year the Red Devils paid a fitting tribute to the club icon by renaming Old Trafford's South Stand in his honour.
His emphatic goalscoring record was recently surpassed when Wayne Rooney nodded home his 250th goal in a United jersey against Stoke.
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