1958 - Manchester United
                                                                                                                                                           

 

 

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Player profiles  out of the Wembley Match Day Programme

 

HARRY GREGG, Goalkeeper  It was in this Stadium last November that Gregg made his name with a brilliant display which contributed so much to Ireland's unexpected victory over England. Six weeks later Manchester United bought him from Doncaster Rovers for £23,000, the record fee for a goalkeeper.  First capped against Wales in 1954, he joined Doncaster from Dundalk. One of the Munich survivors, he was born at Mayerafelt, Co. Derry, and is 23, 6 ft. I in., and 13 St.

BILLY FOULKES, Right Back (Capt.)  Was working at the pit face when United first signed him and then became a part-time professional.  He had been spotted playing for Whiston Boys' Club, St. Helens.  He made his league debut in 1952 and was capped by England against Ireland in October, 1954.  He also had two games with the under-23 team that season.  Missed only three first team games last season and has taken over the captaincy since surviving at Munich.  Born at St. Helens, he is 26, 5 ft. II in., and 12 st. 4 Ib.

IAN GREAVES, Left Back  Was signed from the Cheshire League Club, Buxton, and had 15 games in the League side two seasons ago.  He was then playing on the right and keeping Foulkes out of the side. Last season, however, he got only three chances in the League team.  Given his chance since the loss of Roger Byrne, he has proved himself a rugged, fearless defender. Born at Oldham, he is 24,6 ft., and 12 st. 4 Ib.

FREDDIE GOODWIN, Right Half Here is another who is not a recent newcomer to the League side, in fact, this tall, hard tackling wing half,  made a tremendous impression in the  1954-55 season, when he had five games in the League side.  Yet there were only eight League games for him in the following season, and six last season. Such was the penalty for having to understudy such an artist as the late Eddie Colman.  Born at Heywood, he is 24, 6 ft. 2 in., and 13 st 2 Ib.

RONNIE COPE, Centre Half  Played for Crewe and England Schoolboys before joining the United in October, 1951 at the age of 17.  I saw him play bis first League game against Arsenal at Highbury.in September, 1956.  There was only one more League game for him until February this year.  In the meantime he had to be content with being third choice behind the late Mark Jones and Jackie Blanchflower.  Born at Crewe, he is 24, 5 ft. II in., and II st.

STAN CROWTHER, Left Half  It was less than an hour before playing his first game for the United in their Fifth Round F.A. Cup Tie with Sheffield Wednesday that Crowther was transferred from Aston Villa for £18,000.  It was only at the beginning of last season that he was playing for Bilston in the Birmingham League, but he became a regular in Villa's first team, won a Cup Medal against his new club, and was chosen for England's Under-23 team.  Born at Bilston, he is 22, 5 ft. II in., and 11 st. 3 Ib.

ALEX DAWSON, Outside Right The son of a Hull trawlerman, Dawson was born at Aberdeen. He played a tremendous part in Manchester United's success in the F.A. Youth Cup last season, scoring in every game, 20 goals altogether in 10 games. He is 18, 5 ft. 11 in., and 12 st. 7 Ib.

ERNIE TAYLOR, Inside Right This brilliant little ball player joined Newcastle from Hylton Colliery Juniors during the war.  He was transferred to Blackpool in 1951 for £27,000 after playing in the Newcastle team which beat Blackpool 2-0 in the Final that year.  He gained another Cup Winners' Medal with Blackpool when they beat Bolton 4-3 in 1953. Born at Sunderland, he is 33, 5 ft. 5 in., and 10 st. 6 Ib.

BOBBY CHARLTON, Centre Forward  Nephew of the old Newcastle star, Jackie Milburn, and brother of the Leeds centre-half, John Chariton.  He went to the United straight from school and made his debut at Chariton, scoring twice.  Since the Munich crash has become a full International.  Born at Ashington, he is 20, 5 ft. 8 in., and 10 st. 13 Ib.

DENNIS VIOLLET, Inside Left  Was born near the Manchester City ground, on which he captained England Schoolboys against Wales in 1949.  Another Munich survivor, it was not until April 21 that he returned to United's First team.  He was already their leading scorer before that with 19 Cup and League goals, but he did not get one goal in the Cup run last season, when he was inside left in the Final.  Has just topped 150 League games for the Club and is approaching a century of goals.  He is 24, born at Manchester, 5 ft. 8 in., and 10 st. 10 Ib.

COLIN WEBSTER, Outside Left  Recommended by Dennis Viollet, who served with him in the Army, Webster was signed from Cardiff City after the Welsh club had failed to renew his registration.  Led the Welsh attack against Czechoslovakia in the World Cup Tie at Cardiff last May.  An adaptable type, he was an outside right in the first games after Munich, but it was from centre-forward he scored the goal that beat West Bromwich in the sixth round. Born at Cardiff, he is 25, 5 ft. 9 in., and II st. 2 Ib.

WILF McGUINNESS, Wing Half  Formerly Captain of Manchester and England Schoolboys.  Made a quick recovery from a cartilage operation which he had only in February.  Born at Manchester, he is 21, 5 ft. 8 in., and 10 st. 8 Ib.

KEN MORGANS, Forward  One of the Munich survivors, it was only at Easter that Morgans returned to League football. Joined United in 1955 and made his League debut in the home game with Leicester last December. Born at Swansea, he is 19, 5 ft. 7 in., and 10 st. 8 Ib.

MARK PEARSON, Forward  Like Dawson and Morgans, Pearson was a member of United's Youth Cup winning team last season.  He had played for Derbyshire and England Boys before joining the club straight from school.  He has come in for some criticism because of his rugged style of play, but it is only fair to put it down to his youthful enthusiasm.  Born at Sheffield, he is 17, 5 ft. 7 in., and 10 st. 8 Ib.