Bobby Charlton's first professional playing contract signed on 11th October 1954 to become a Manchester United footballer signed by the player, the ag

Bobby Charlton's first professional playing contract signed on 11th October 1954 to become a Manchester United footballer signed by the player, the agreement for ?7 per week, reduced to ?6 during the close season On 9 February 1953, then a Bedlington Grammar School pupil, Bobby Charlton was spotted playing for East Northumberland schools by Manchester United chief scout Joe Armstrong. Charlton went on to play for England Schoolboys and the 15-year-old signed with United on 1 January 1953, along with Wilf McGuinness, also aged 15. Initially his mother was reluctant to let him commit to an insecure football career, so he began an apprenticeship as an electrical engineer. However he went on to turn professional on 11th October 1954. Charlton became one of the famed Busby Babes, the collection of talented footballers who emerged through the system at Old Trafford under the managership of Matt Busby. Charlton worked his way through the pecking order of teams, scoring regularly for the youth and reserve sides before he was handed his first team debut against Charlton Athletic in October 1956.