Charlton’s house raided while he attended Highbury game

BURGLARS have raided Sir Bob

They struck while the Manchester United and England legend was away watching the Reds play Arsenal at Highbury

The break-in at the house near Knutsford, was discovered just after 2am today when Sir Bobby returned from London. Experts believe some of the football memorabilia could have been stolen to order.

A shaken Sir Bobby, 65, said his most prized football treasures including his 1966 World Cup winners medal and his 1968 European Cup winners medal were safe in the Old Trafford museum.

But he did confirm that some of his less-valuable memorabilia had been taken in the raid. He said: "I am relieved the important stuff is safe in the museum that's why it's there.

"I am also relieved that no-one was in the house to get hurt when the burglary took place.

"The police said they were in and out very quickly. They don't appear to have done much damage and nothing has been defaced. Some of my memorabilia has gone, but maybe the police will be able to track some items down. It is never nice when someone has been in your house."

The Manchester United director made his debut for the Reds just before his 19th birthday. He went on to become a fully-fledged member of the Busby Babes, playing for the team from 1954 to 1973.

The footballing hero, who won more than 100 caps for England, survived the Munich air disaster in 1958 with just minor injuries and went on to help the 1966 England squad sweep to victory. His collection of medals and trophies is priceless, with the most valuable thought to be his World Cup medal.

A Cheshire police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a burglary at a property was reported to us in the early hours of this morning.

"An officer went to the house to take a detailed statement this morning. We have been asked by the householders not to release any further details of what was stolen."

Hamilton Bland of the Sportizus chain, which specialises in sporting memorabilia, said: "Anything belonging to Bobby Charlton would be worth a lot of money, tens of thousands of pounds.

"That kind of thing would usually go to Sotheby's, but of course they would be instantly recognisable, so that is unlikely.

"My guess is that if the thieves have any football memorabilia it will be sold to someone with a lot of money who just wants to squirrel it away and keep it to themselves.

"It is possible that items like this could be stolen to order."