Birthplace: Belfast 22nd May 1946 - Position:
Winger/Forward - Squad Number: 7 - Debut:
14/09/1963 - Appearances: 466 -
Goals: 178 - Internationals: 37
- Goals: 9 - Honours:
Ist Division: 2 - European Cup: 1
George
Best is perhaps the most talented footballer ever to walk on the face of the
planet. Best was the complete
player. Pele, Cruyff, Maradona - all were superb but Best had a bit
of each in
his game and more. He could beat opponents with skill and dazzling tricks,
swerving through defences like a skier on a slalom course, or go past them with
a burst of devastating speed. He could shoot brilliantly with either foot and
out-jump much taller opponents to win the ball in the air. George Best had the
confidence and arrogance to try absolutely anything - he knew he was a genius
and was not afraid to show it. Best was also strong enough to take the knocks
and abuse from the less talented players who would try to hack him out of the
game. In an age where players did not receive protection from referees and the
so called "hard-men" played the game, Best took it all on the chin and triumphed
regardless. When he tried one trick too many and lost the ball he would fight
twice as hard to get it back. Playing as a winger and sometimes striker, he
would inspire his team and bring a crowd, home or away, to its feet. The man
from Belfast was born with a wonderful gift, however with this gift came the
penalty of a wild destructive streak that would always cast a shadow on his
career. George was perhaps the most important member of the great United team
which won the League Championship twice in the 1960's as well as the European
Cup in 1968 - where he scored a superb solo goal in the final. He later
claimed
that having beaten round the Benfica keeper he wanted to take the ball up to the
line stop it, lie down on the ground and head the ball over the line. Only a
truly special sort of player would even have considered such an outrageous act
in a game of such importance. After five years of playing breathtaking football,
in 1968 he finally and deservedly won both the English and European Footballer
of the Year awards. He was also the club's top scorer that year with 28 goals,
and for the following four seasons. In 1970 he scored six goals in an 8-2 win
over Northampton in the FA Cup, the most goals ever scored in a single match by
any United player. Best's goals captured on television, such as the dazzling
runs against Sheffield United, Chelsea, West Ham and the delicate lob against
Spurs have become all-time classics. And who knows what other gems he scored in
an age before blanket television coverage, great goals that now live on only in
the memories of those lucky to have been there at the time. What might he
have achieved if only he hadn't been dazzled by the bright lights and high
living in an age when he was the first
soccer superstar! Unfortunately he
finally succumbed to a severe infection of his new liver and died at
approximately 1pm on the 25 November 2005. There have been many commemorations
at matches all over the country, the best of which was at Old Trafford on 30
November 2005 before a Carling Cup match against West Brom. United won 3-1 and
it was poignant that the latest player to wear the No7 Cristiano Ronaldo scored
the first goal. The 48,940 crowd were also stars as they held up posters with
George's image as they held a minute's silence.
BOBBY "THE GENERAL" CHARLTON
Birthplace:
Ashington 11th Oct 1937 - Position: Midfield - Squad Number: 10 - Debut:
06/10/1956 - Appearances: 752 - Goals: 247 - Internationals:
106 - Goals: 49 - Honours: Ist Division: 3 - FA Cup: 1 - European
Cup: 1 - World Cup Winner 1966
Sir Bobby Charlton is without doubt one of the most famous English players of
all time. His name is synonymous with some of the greatest moments in the
English game but also with the highest traditions of sportsmanship and
integrity. Charlton, using his pace out of midfield and with a thunderous shot,
scored some of the most spectacular goals English football has ever seen. Born
in Ashington, Northumberland, the Charlton family had football in its blood.
Three of his uncles played for Leeds United and his mother's cousin was the
Newcastle United legend, Jackie Milburn. In 1953 he was signed by Manchester
United aged just 17 and would go on to spend the next 17 years at Old Trafford.
As one of the "Busby Babes" to survive the Munich Air Disaster he was in the
great United side of the Fifties alongside Duncan Edwards, Roger Byrne and Tommy
Taylor, as well as the team of the Sixties featuring Denis Law and George Best
that produced some of United's greatest ever football. Initially a striker, he
switched to outside-left with England and finally became a deep-lying centre
forward renowned for his powerful shooting. To say that Bobby Charlton could hit
a ball is the understatement of the century. Some of his famous long-range
torpedoes have gone down as all time classic goals for both England and United.
In the 1966 World Cup he fired in two long range belters that sunk Portugal in
the semi-final. While his 106
caps were eventually surpassed his total of 49 goals for England still remains a
record to this day and is unlikely ever to be topped. Charlton has the unique
record of scoring on his debuts for England schoolboys, United's first team
(twice vs Charlton Athletic) and the full international team (vs Scotland).
Bobby scored 199 goals in 606 League games for United and was a vital element in
them winning the 1st Division Championship in 1957, 1965 and 1967. There was
also the FA Cup in 1963 and famously the European Cup in 1968, in which he
scored twice to sink Benfica at Wembley. The Sixties saw a glorious era when
British football was in awe of Charlton, Law and Best, three world class players
who together helped make Manchester United an integral part of popular culture
in that decade. The disaster at Munich and death of his team mates affected
Bobby deeply. He became a more serious and subdued person after the tragedy and
may well have suffered "survivors guilt". The Charlton brother's greatest moment
was in the 1966 World Cup when Centre-half Jack played alongside Bobby all the
way to the victorious Final. 66 was a great year for Bobby as he won both
European and PFA Player of the Year awards for playing a pivotal role in that
World Cup win. His total of 106 caps (1958-1970) was an England record until
passed by Bobby Moore in 1973. Having finished his career with United in
1973 he became manager of Preston North End, but unlike his brother, introvert
Bobby was not suited to management and resigned after the club were relegated in
1975. He later worked as director of Wigan Athletic, and in 1984 was appointed
as a director of Manchester United. Bobby was awarded a CBE in 1974 and a
knighthood in 1994. Today he works as an ambassador for football in his role as
a director of Manchester United and was involved recently in England's 2006
World Cup bid. A true role model for any aspiring footballer, a modest man of
great integrity, Bobby Charlton is respected throughout the world as one of
England's greatest ever sportsmen.
DENIS "POACHER" LAW
Birthplace: 24th Feb 1940,
Scotland - Position: Center Forward - Squad Number: 9 - Debut: 18/08/1962 - Appearances:
393 - Goals: 236 - InternationalCaps:
55 - Goals: 30 - Honours:
Ist Division: 2 - FA Cup: 1
In the 1960's when
Eric Cantona was still in his cradle, Denis Law was the King of Old
Trafford. When it came to scoring goals, from long-range, from headers,
overhead kicks, close in poachers - Law was the master, a mercurial genius
when it came to putting a ball in the back of the net. He was a player all
the fans loved because he gave absolutely everything when on the pitch. This
fierce Scotsman fought for everything and was afraid of nobody, few players
could match this man's competitive instincts. Of only medium height and slim in build, Law had a lions heart and a
salmons leap. Always playing with his long shirt sleeves distinctively
gripped in each fist, he could frequently out-jump much taller men to score
with his head. Denis could score from anywhere and close in he was lethal.
If the keeper fumbled he pounced and within seconds the Law-man was wheeling
off, arm up in celebration. George Best said of him "Denis was the best in
the business, he could score goals from a hundredth of a chance never mind
half of one". As well as goal-scoring he was also an incisive passer of the
ball contributing to others around him. Ironically, Denis Law and Jimmy Greaves where born within four days of
each other and both spent years as rivals and supreme entertainers. A lot of
great players use their minds as much as their physical attributes. Law's
most important abilities were awareness and anticipation. He always seemed
to see the action slightly ahead of everyone else and with his superb
reflexes he knew how to use that to deadly advantage.
He started his footballing career with Huddersfield town in 1956. After an
unhappy time in Italy with Torino he joined United with a new British record
transfer fee of £115,000 in August 1962. He scored two goals on his debut in
1962 and after scoring in United's FA Cup Final win of 1963, a stream of
goals followed. 160 of them in only 222 games over his first five seasons.
Many of them were outrageous, some seemingly impossible, but everything was
done with a confident arrogant style the fans found irresistible.
Law won the European Footballer of the
Year award in 1964 and captained the
team on several occasions. He helped United win the league twice, 1965 and
1967, forming the legendary trio of Best, Law and Charlton. On the
International scene he was a regular up front with Scotland. Law played in
many a clash with England, most famously when they beat the then World
Champions 3-2 at Wembley in 1967. Sadly, such was his fierce competitiveness
he was sometimes injured, no more costly than when he missed the 1968
European Cup triumph because of a knee injury. Controversially, in 1973 he was given a free transfer by Tommy Docherty
but had more good times with Manchester City and Scotland. In an infamous
incident at Old Trafford 1974 with United deep in trouble at the foot of the
league and playing City, Law in the 85th minute half-heartedly back-heeled
the ball into United's net. It won the game for City 1-0 and United were
consequently relegated (although they were down regardless of the result). The
devastation on Law's face after the goal showed the bond he still had with his
old club. In fact, it was his last ever kick in League football as he was so
downcast he retired straight after the game. The fact the United fans never
blamed him for it showed their great affection and respect for him also. His
career in football ended after playing for Scotland in the 1974 World Cup. Since
then he's been involved in media work and works currently for Radio 5. Denis Law
will always be remembered as a great, a player to set the passions and
imagination of every fan on fire. The ultimate United goal-scorer, the first and
some may still maintain, King of Old Trafford.
GARY "SPRINGBOK" BAILEY
Birthplace: 9/8/ 1958.
Ipswich - Position:
Goalkeeper - Squad Number: 1 - Debut: 1978 - Appearances:
373 - International Caps : 2- Honours:
FA Cup: 2
Gary
was born in Ipswich, England on the 9 Aug 1958 although he spent most of his
informative years living in South Africa. He made
373 appearances for United from 1978 to 1987 and 2 appearances for England. He
played in 3 FA Cup finals and a replay, collecting 2 winners medals. He also has
a Milk Cup ( Lge. Cup ) runners up medal. His first team debut was at the early
age of 20, against his Father's old team Ipswich Town on the 18th November 1978,
United won 2 - 0, Gary keeping his first United clean sheet - the goals were
scored by Steve Coppell and Jimmy Greenhoff. In December of that same year
Gary played his part in Football League history, as it was the only known
instance of the same player scoring against both father and son, Tony Brown of
West Brom having scored against Roy, Gary's father, during Ipswich Town's
championship winning season of 1961-62, scored in West Brom's 5-3 defeat of
United. Gary's first season at United ended at Wembley where Arsenal defeated
United 3-2 in a thrilling last four minutes, yes we put our supporters through
hell even then. Arsenal supporters were celebrating with 4 minutes left on the
clock when Gordon McQueen and Sammy McIlroy drew us level with 1min and 45 secs.
till extra time. Arsenal attacked as Rix crossed, Sunderland raced in to
snatch a dramatic late winner; "It curled away from me," groans Gary. " As the
keeper, I got the blame because we lost 3-2. Typical." But Gary's time at
Wembley would come - a 1983 replay against Brighton that United won 4 - 0 and a
1985 1 - 0 defeat of Everton won Gary his 2 FA CupWinners medals. Gary has
also won two full England caps in 1985 for matches against the Republic of
Ireland winning 2 - 1 and against Mexico in Mexico losing 1 - 0 , he also
has 16 England under 21 caps and 2 England B caps. Gary served under three
United manager's Dave Sexton, Ron Atkinson and Alex Ferguson. A training injury
with the England squad in February 1986 brought a premature end to his first
class career. Gary bravely tried to make a comeback in Feb. / Mar. 1987 but a
severe knee problem which failed to respond to treatment saw him leave Old
Trafford in September 1987 at an age when the blond goalkeeper was just
approaching the peak years of his profession. At 28 Gary's last game for United
was on the 21st Mar 1987 Away to Sheff. Wed, United lost 1 - 0.Gary has been
recently acknowledged by the supporters on the official manutd site, where he
was voted one of the best player's of the 1980-89 decade - no mean feat as he's
right up there with such greats as Bryan Robson, Norman Whiteside, Paul McGrath,
then our Gary, and Ray Wilkins. Gary is currently employed by M-Net Supersport (
Local TV network in South Africa ) as a TV anchor for the soccer, and often
presents live English premier matches, along with FA cup, League cup, European
Championships, and much more. He is also, and has been since it's inception over
ten years ago, the Chairman of our local Manchester United Supporters Club . As
well as consulting in business strategy for companies investing in soccer in
South Africa, Gary was one of the ambassadors for South Africa's 2006 world cup
soccer bid. Gary completed an MBA at Henley a few years ago, disproving the
theory that all soccer players have no brains, and like many ex soccer players
is available for motivational talks to companies. Gary and his wife Kate live in
Johannesburg with their three children, Lara 8, Jenna 5, and Ross 3, but spend
plenty of time travelling to the coast to enjoy the beauty of South Africa.
Gary came close to winning a League
Championship medal - in 79/80 Utd were 2 pts off winning. Gary has 2 F.A cup
winners medals, a League Cup Runners Up medal, two England caps, and he appeared in
two European Cup Semi Finals, not bad for a football career that was cruelly
halted by injury. If it hadn't been for this, I have no doubt that Gary
would be pushing Schmeichel
as United's greatest
goalkeeper.
These are my legends who made United great but click
on Jonathan's
LEGENDS
page
which has bio's for many more.
My thanks to him for
a lot of the content here.