Bobby Charlton is a 78-year-old man.
He’s a World Cup winner. He’s a legend.
He survived the Munich Air Disaster and helped to rebuild Manchester United. He played for 17 seasons at Old Trafford, he broke records, won titles, scored more goals than any man has ever managed to do for the club.
He’s earned his place as a great in the game and he’s earned the right to an elevated status above the rest of the mortals.
He doesn’t deserve some faceless troll throwing nonsensical expletives in his direction in search of a like. He doesn’t deserve to have his character assassinated in an open forum of no-holds-barred abuse just for the sake of it. Just so people can have their tweets seen at the top of the replies.
But Bobby Charlton, the legend, the hero, the 78-year-old man, isn’t off limits for anyone. Not in the Twitter world anyway.
The United director joined Twitter in June and he’s tweeted 15 times so far.
He saved his first tweet for July 30 to mark a very special occasion in English history.
It’s fifty years today since I helped @England win the World Cup, but it seems like just yesterday. Thank you to my friends and supporters.
— Sir Bobby Charlton (@SirBobby) July 30, 2016
But it all kicked off straight away.
he is the greatest mufc legend and the only thing you want to say to him is "announce Pogba"? Are you stupid?
— JaÅ¡ar (@7Jasar) July 30, 2016
Within 90 minutes, it had gone far too far.
the truth will come out @SirBobby @England pic.twitter.com/bmR9A4mE8f
— niko 🇧🇼 (@nik0_mcr) July 30, 2016
It wasn’t all malicious but it certainly wasn’t all relevant.
https://twitter.com/ifuseekamy_/status/759337481191976960
Some weren’t that interested in his second tweet either.
https://twitter.com/j4ydivision/status/759434115716378628
He seems like a very nice man.
Thank you for the many wonderful messages over the last few days. Please forgive me for not being able to respond to each individually.
— Sir Bobby Charlton (@SirBobby) August 1, 2016
Unfortunately there’s no decency left in some people.
https://twitter.com/ZlatOnPitch/status/760078949405847552
He tweets a lovely picture with his wife Norma.
Norma and I had a wonderful time at the #WC66Live event at Wembley Arena on Saturday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/isxRacLY5B
— Sir Bobby Charlton (@SirBobby) August 1, 2016
And it’s boiled down to a one-syllable attention-seeking slur.
https://twitter.com/ciaron_boles/status/760137122309402625
It’s not a patient world anymore.
great thanks for that Bobby
— Andy Pearson (@AndyPearson68) August 7, 2016
There’s just no filter. For manners or for sense.
https://twitter.com/turnscity/status/762362328251719680
Thankfully, most of the replies to him are genuine and heartfelt.
Was wonderful to meet the very talented @sparkerart1 a few days ago. There will be more news to tell soon. pic.twitter.com/MAAHwgBRfz
— Sir Bobby Charlton (@SirBobby) August 15, 2016
You just really hope he doesn’t read his replies though.
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