Tributes have poured in for Sir Bobby Charlton following his death last weekend at the age of 86.
His wonderful skills have been well documented with Gary Lineker calling him "England's greatest-ever player," something I would endorse.
Charlton's death leaves Geoff Hurst as the sole surviving member of England's 1966 World Cup-winning team.
Here are a few personal memories of the gifted footballer.
It's not often you get a chance to meet a childhood hero but I was in that fortunate position in 1998 when I spent the best part of a day with Charlton as he held a football clinic at Bangkok Patana School.
Even better, I was lucky enough to sit next to him in the transport to and from the school and he made me feel right at home, chatting away as if we were old pals.
As a kid, I grew up reading about Charlton's exploits with the "Busby Babes" named after Manchester United manager Matt Busby.
In his very first game in October 1956, he scored twice, coincidentally against Charlton.
I was not particularly a United fan, although the Busby Babes were undoubtedly the most exciting team at that time, having won the league in 1956 and 1957.
But then came the Munich air disaster in February 1958 and everything changed.
I was only 11 at the time but I'll never forget the flickering newsreel of the 21-year-old Charlton, in a state of extreme shock, being interviewed from his hospital bed in Munich.
He had lost eight of his teammates in the crash and was shattered.
As the Sunday Times put it: "The heart of English football was ripped out in the snow at Munich.''
It didn't matter which club you supported, everyone got behind United as their makeshift team which included Charlton from the sixth round, battled to reach Wembley in the FA Cup, losing 2-0 to Bolton in the final.
Charlton was to become a very influential player for Man U and England and in the 1966 World Cup he scored three goals including two against Portugal in the semi-final.
Two years later, Man U lifted the European trophy in an emotional night at Wembley.
It was a marvellous game with United beating Benfica 4-1, two goals coming from Charlton and one each from George Best and Brian Kidd.
At the final whistle, as Busby strode out onto the pitch, the first player he headed for was Charlton.
There were no dry eyes in English homes at that moment as the two most notable survivors of Munich tearfully embraced.
The first time I saw Charlton in the flesh was on my first-ever visit to Wembley in April 1961 for that incredible match when England thrashed Scotland 9-3.
Charlton was on the left wing and although he didn't score he set up goals for Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Smith.
Charlton had this wonderful natural grace of movement which enabled him to glide past opponents and produce an explosive shot with either foot.
Back to the 1998 Patana clinic. Despite the sweltering Bangkok heat Charlton was getting on well with the kids.
One of them asked him who was his boyhood hero.
"That's easy, my Uncle Jack," he replied and the kids laughed.
But he's not joking. His "Uncle Jack" was the great Newcastle striker Jackie Milburn.
Inevitably he was asked about former teammate George Best.
"A sensational dribbler and a marvellous player," he said.
Charlton picked out a tiny lad, threw him the ball and said: "Let's see what you can do."
The little fellow looked aghast, but plucked up courage and kicked the ball, connecting quite sweetly.
"Sensational!" said Charlton and he exchanged high fives with the little fellow who ran off beaming. That's someone who won't ever forget Bobby Charlton.
It was a pleasure to meet Charlton who was a down-to-earth person with no affectations despite his fame.
He was a gentleman on and off the field... and a brilliant footballer. RIP