Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton's legacy lives on in football academy

The legacy of Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton is living on after his death in a training academy funded by a donation from the late footballer. Sir Bobby left thousands of pounds to a variety of good causes following his death on October 21 2023.

One year after the icon's passing, Moss Side is now home to Sir Bobby's Street Reds, an academy which offers free training sessions to children from deprived backgrounds. A donation from Sir Bobby helped to get the academy set up.

Many of the youngsters who participate in the training sessions are refugees. The sessions, which are run free of charge, give them the opportunity to practice every week.

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Speaking to the Mirror, head coach Mike Dugdale said: “We had a huge donation [from Sir Bobby] and the turnout is brilliant every week. We have a lot of kids who are 14 and over which is a critical age – we get them off the streets and engaged in football."

And for some attendees there is also the chance to be spotted and move on to other training programmes. Mike said: “We do see some special players who we can signpost to the academies.”

Launched in August 2024, the Street Reds is an echo of Sir Bobby's academy where a promising young player was spotted in 1986. You might have heard of him - David Beckham.

Many of the attendees have their own hopes of sporting glory in the future. Among them in Abdirahman Mohammed, 16.

Abdirahman has been attending the sessions for two years. Now, he helps to coach some of the younger children.

He said: “I help coach goalkeepers. I really enjoy it, you see some outstanding players. I’d love to carry on doing it as I get older, and maybe even