rondwisan
16-06-2009, 08:28 PM
Honoured At Last - Harry Gregg - Man of Courage
BigSoccer, TomClare - 08 Oct 2008, 10:30 AM
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44405000/jpg/_44405563_harry_gregg203.jpg
On October 1st, the recipients of the Pride of Britain awards received their awards at a glittering ceremony at a top hotel in Central London. One of the categories of award was that of Special Recognition. One of the recipients was a 76 years old Northern Irishman and he was being recognised for his courage in a disaster that happened on an airfield in a foreign country over 50 years ago. That man was Harry Gregg former Manchester United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper.
Harry Gregg - where do I start with one of the greatest goalkeepers who ever pulled on that green jersey, be it for Doncaster Rovers, Manchester United, his 2 games for Stoke City, or his beloved Northern Ireland? Harry first came to my notice in late 1957 when he played for Northern Ireland against England in a Home International match at Wembley when England was beaten by 3-2. The single most reason that England suffered defeat that day was because of Harry Gregg’s superlative performance. It was one of the finest goalkeeping displays that you could ever wish to see and I just wish that there was still footage of that game around for people to see it. One save that I will always remember is a 25 yard blockbuster from Duncan Edwards that looked destined for the top corner of the net until there was a blur of movement and flying through the air like a swallow to his right, Harry punched the ball away. The 'Big Fella’ stood there hands on hips looking at Harry in admiration. When the final whistle went and victory had been achieved, the Irish fans clambered over the Wembley walls surrounding the pitch, raced onto the field, and Harry was hoisted high and chaired all the way back to that famous old tunnel. It's my opinion that it was his performance in this game that persuaded Sir Matt Busby to sign Harry and pay a record fee for a goalkeeper at that time.
He was signed on the 18th December 1957 and what a great early Christmas present that must have been for him. He joined a dear old friend of his at Old Trafford, Jackie Blanchflower, whom he had known since schoolboy days when they had both played in the same Northern Ireland schoolboys international team. Harry was coming out of Third Division football with Doncaster Rovers at that time. Amongst his team mates at “Donny” in those days was a certain centre half by the name of Charlie Williams who was later to find fame on the famous “Comedians” television show. For the big affable Ulsterman, his move to United to join the now famous ‘Busby Babes’ was a dream come true.
Harry made his debut for United just a few days later against Leicester City, on Saturday, December 21st, 1957. I attended that game and stood behind the goal at the Scoreboard End. That was the end that the "Babes" always came out to when they emerged from the old player's tunnel. I just wanted to see our new goalkeeper. At that time I was a budding goalkeeper myself and my idol (after Edwards of course!) was Bert Trautmann who played for Manchester City. On the day of the game against Leicester, the teams came out and this big twine toed fellow started his jog towards the Scoreboard End goal. I was mesmerised just watching him! He had such presence. He took his place in the goal as the forwards started firing balls at him. At that time, United had a young mascot who could have been no more than 6/7 years old (I always wonder what ever happened to that kid?) and he would go around the players during their 5 minute warm up and hand them a stick of chewing gum. As he approached Harry, he stopped dead, as though frightened, and on seeing this, Roger Byrne, United's captain, took the boy by the hand, and took him on to Harry who took the stick of gum, knelt in front of the youngster, said a few words, and then ruffled his hair. It's just a little thing that sticks in my memory. The game began and very early on a high cross was floated into the area and underneath it was Edwards and Byrne, but out off his line came Greggy, soaring into the air, knocking both Edwards and Byrne out of the way as he did it. He caught the ball cleanly and quickly bowled the ball out to Eddie Colman, setting United on the attack. The look on both Edwards and Byrne's faces was as if to say; "He'll do for me!" United won comfortably that day by 4-0.
Harry's first game also caused a little bit of wide eyed astonishment with the fans. When play was at the other end of the field, he would wander outside of his area and could be found mid way between the edge of the 18 yard line and the half way line. Back in those days, goalkeepers just did not do that, and it caused a lot of comment. The next game was against Luton Town at Old Trafford on Christmas Day 1957 and again I was there behind that Scoreboard End goal, and again, he didn't concede as United ran out easy winners by 3-0. The following day, Boxing Day was the return fixture at Kennilworth Road and he conceded his first goals as the game was a tight fought 2-2 draw. Kennilworth Road was a ground that he would come to remember in later years for an entirely different reason!
Just two days later, on December 28th he faced his first "derby" game against Manchester City at Maine Road. City were also going well that season and once more, it was a game that I attended. Over 70,000 packed into the ground that day and I was stood on what came to be known as the "Kippax" in later years. Back then it was a large arcing, open Spion Kop of a terrace. The game was a ding-dong affair and no quarter was asked or given and it ended all-square at 2-2. It was this game that the sports writers of the time took Harry to task for his habit of wandering outside of his area when play was at the other end, and he got a fair bit of criticism for it. In my eyes it was unwarranted and I suppose that Sir Matt felt the same way as he never chose to discourage him.
I saw his first ever European game against Red Star Belgrade at Old Trafford on January 14th 1958. I say that I saw it - but not too much of it! Today I doubt if that game would ever have been started. It was thick with fog that night, and for most of the game, you couldn't see across the far side of the pitch! United won 2-1 but I have to be honest, I could not see either of the goals that Bobby Charlton and Eddie Colman scored as United won 2-1.
The following Saturday they destroyed a team that used to be their Nemisis - Bolton Wanderers, and by an astonishing scoreline of 7-2! Bolton was always a big bogey team to United, but that day, they were just steamrollered. The last time that I saw Harry play with the "Babes" was in their last home game, a 4th Round F.A. Cup tie against Ipswich Town which was won at a stroll by 2-0 and Harry had little to do. The week after he took part in that famous last game on home soil, the 5-4 win at Highbury, and then it was on to Belgrade.
He performed heroically in the 3-3 draw against Red Star, particularly in that second half when Red Star threw the kitchen sink at United. His performance that afternoon often gets overlooked, but he produced some vital saves that were critical to United getting the 3-3 draw.
The following day we all know what happened and the part that Harry Gregg played that day can never ever be allowed to be forgotten. What that man did was above and beyond the call of what any man could, or should have done. That he saved lives is beyond dispute. Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and that man was Harry Gregg. He doesn't like being called a hero, but that undoubtedly is what he is. The courage he showed that day was phenomenal to say the least. That it has taken so long for this wonderful man to be recognised is a travesty.
I recall some of his performances after the tragedy and particularly one at Preston's Deepdale in a 0-0 draw. Again, his performance was incredible, and for a big man, his agility had to be seen to be believed. Two saves in particular I remember that afternoon were to shots that he really had no right to get near to, but he flew through the air and beat them away with his fists. It's something that I wish modern day goalkeeper's would take note of - technique - today they just seem to allow the ball to hit them - Harry beat the ball away and it would more often than not, fly away out of danger. It was also at Deepdale that afternoon that I first heard him get involved with somebody in the crowd at the back of the goal. Somebody was giving him stick, and Harry left the guy in no uncertain terms what he would do to him if he got his hands on him! It became a recurring thing with him - particularly at away grounds!
He played such a huge part in the rebuilding of Manchester United and that part should also never be forgotten. Sadly, injuries took their toll on him and it's my opinion that the first shoulder injury which started it, and if my memory serves me right happened against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Wednesday, 14th January 1961. 'Spurs were all conquering at that time and were on a roll. This was the season in which they became the first winners of the famous “Double” in the 20th Century. They had trounced United in the previous 3 league encounters between them and ‘Spurs were expected to walk over a United side that was still trying to rebuild after the disaster. ‘Spurs had a star studded line up which was brim full of international players – Brown, Mackay and White from Scotland, Blanchflower from Northern Ireland, Medwin and Jones from Wales, Baker, Norman and Smith from England. They were an exceptional team.
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BigSoccer, TomClare - 08 Oct 2008, 10:30 AM
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44405000/jpg/_44405563_harry_gregg203.jpg
On October 1st, the recipients of the Pride of Britain awards received their awards at a glittering ceremony at a top hotel in Central London. One of the categories of award was that of Special Recognition. One of the recipients was a 76 years old Northern Irishman and he was being recognised for his courage in a disaster that happened on an airfield in a foreign country over 50 years ago. That man was Harry Gregg former Manchester United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper.
Harry Gregg - where do I start with one of the greatest goalkeepers who ever pulled on that green jersey, be it for Doncaster Rovers, Manchester United, his 2 games for Stoke City, or his beloved Northern Ireland? Harry first came to my notice in late 1957 when he played for Northern Ireland against England in a Home International match at Wembley when England was beaten by 3-2. The single most reason that England suffered defeat that day was because of Harry Gregg’s superlative performance. It was one of the finest goalkeeping displays that you could ever wish to see and I just wish that there was still footage of that game around for people to see it. One save that I will always remember is a 25 yard blockbuster from Duncan Edwards that looked destined for the top corner of the net until there was a blur of movement and flying through the air like a swallow to his right, Harry punched the ball away. The 'Big Fella’ stood there hands on hips looking at Harry in admiration. When the final whistle went and victory had been achieved, the Irish fans clambered over the Wembley walls surrounding the pitch, raced onto the field, and Harry was hoisted high and chaired all the way back to that famous old tunnel. It's my opinion that it was his performance in this game that persuaded Sir Matt Busby to sign Harry and pay a record fee for a goalkeeper at that time.
He was signed on the 18th December 1957 and what a great early Christmas present that must have been for him. He joined a dear old friend of his at Old Trafford, Jackie Blanchflower, whom he had known since schoolboy days when they had both played in the same Northern Ireland schoolboys international team. Harry was coming out of Third Division football with Doncaster Rovers at that time. Amongst his team mates at “Donny” in those days was a certain centre half by the name of Charlie Williams who was later to find fame on the famous “Comedians” television show. For the big affable Ulsterman, his move to United to join the now famous ‘Busby Babes’ was a dream come true.
Harry made his debut for United just a few days later against Leicester City, on Saturday, December 21st, 1957. I attended that game and stood behind the goal at the Scoreboard End. That was the end that the "Babes" always came out to when they emerged from the old player's tunnel. I just wanted to see our new goalkeeper. At that time I was a budding goalkeeper myself and my idol (after Edwards of course!) was Bert Trautmann who played for Manchester City. On the day of the game against Leicester, the teams came out and this big twine toed fellow started his jog towards the Scoreboard End goal. I was mesmerised just watching him! He had such presence. He took his place in the goal as the forwards started firing balls at him. At that time, United had a young mascot who could have been no more than 6/7 years old (I always wonder what ever happened to that kid?) and he would go around the players during their 5 minute warm up and hand them a stick of chewing gum. As he approached Harry, he stopped dead, as though frightened, and on seeing this, Roger Byrne, United's captain, took the boy by the hand, and took him on to Harry who took the stick of gum, knelt in front of the youngster, said a few words, and then ruffled his hair. It's just a little thing that sticks in my memory. The game began and very early on a high cross was floated into the area and underneath it was Edwards and Byrne, but out off his line came Greggy, soaring into the air, knocking both Edwards and Byrne out of the way as he did it. He caught the ball cleanly and quickly bowled the ball out to Eddie Colman, setting United on the attack. The look on both Edwards and Byrne's faces was as if to say; "He'll do for me!" United won comfortably that day by 4-0.
Harry's first game also caused a little bit of wide eyed astonishment with the fans. When play was at the other end of the field, he would wander outside of his area and could be found mid way between the edge of the 18 yard line and the half way line. Back in those days, goalkeepers just did not do that, and it caused a lot of comment. The next game was against Luton Town at Old Trafford on Christmas Day 1957 and again I was there behind that Scoreboard End goal, and again, he didn't concede as United ran out easy winners by 3-0. The following day, Boxing Day was the return fixture at Kennilworth Road and he conceded his first goals as the game was a tight fought 2-2 draw. Kennilworth Road was a ground that he would come to remember in later years for an entirely different reason!
Just two days later, on December 28th he faced his first "derby" game against Manchester City at Maine Road. City were also going well that season and once more, it was a game that I attended. Over 70,000 packed into the ground that day and I was stood on what came to be known as the "Kippax" in later years. Back then it was a large arcing, open Spion Kop of a terrace. The game was a ding-dong affair and no quarter was asked or given and it ended all-square at 2-2. It was this game that the sports writers of the time took Harry to task for his habit of wandering outside of his area when play was at the other end, and he got a fair bit of criticism for it. In my eyes it was unwarranted and I suppose that Sir Matt felt the same way as he never chose to discourage him.
I saw his first ever European game against Red Star Belgrade at Old Trafford on January 14th 1958. I say that I saw it - but not too much of it! Today I doubt if that game would ever have been started. It was thick with fog that night, and for most of the game, you couldn't see across the far side of the pitch! United won 2-1 but I have to be honest, I could not see either of the goals that Bobby Charlton and Eddie Colman scored as United won 2-1.
The following Saturday they destroyed a team that used to be their Nemisis - Bolton Wanderers, and by an astonishing scoreline of 7-2! Bolton was always a big bogey team to United, but that day, they were just steamrollered. The last time that I saw Harry play with the "Babes" was in their last home game, a 4th Round F.A. Cup tie against Ipswich Town which was won at a stroll by 2-0 and Harry had little to do. The week after he took part in that famous last game on home soil, the 5-4 win at Highbury, and then it was on to Belgrade.
He performed heroically in the 3-3 draw against Red Star, particularly in that second half when Red Star threw the kitchen sink at United. His performance that afternoon often gets overlooked, but he produced some vital saves that were critical to United getting the 3-3 draw.
The following day we all know what happened and the part that Harry Gregg played that day can never ever be allowed to be forgotten. What that man did was above and beyond the call of what any man could, or should have done. That he saved lives is beyond dispute. Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and that man was Harry Gregg. He doesn't like being called a hero, but that undoubtedly is what he is. The courage he showed that day was phenomenal to say the least. That it has taken so long for this wonderful man to be recognised is a travesty.
I recall some of his performances after the tragedy and particularly one at Preston's Deepdale in a 0-0 draw. Again, his performance was incredible, and for a big man, his agility had to be seen to be believed. Two saves in particular I remember that afternoon were to shots that he really had no right to get near to, but he flew through the air and beat them away with his fists. It's something that I wish modern day goalkeeper's would take note of - technique - today they just seem to allow the ball to hit them - Harry beat the ball away and it would more often than not, fly away out of danger. It was also at Deepdale that afternoon that I first heard him get involved with somebody in the crowd at the back of the goal. Somebody was giving him stick, and Harry left the guy in no uncertain terms what he would do to him if he got his hands on him! It became a recurring thing with him - particularly at away grounds!
He played such a huge part in the rebuilding of Manchester United and that part should also never be forgotten. Sadly, injuries took their toll on him and it's my opinion that the first shoulder injury which started it, and if my memory serves me right happened against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Wednesday, 14th January 1961. 'Spurs were all conquering at that time and were on a roll. This was the season in which they became the first winners of the famous “Double” in the 20th Century. They had trounced United in the previous 3 league encounters between them and ‘Spurs were expected to walk over a United side that was still trying to rebuild after the disaster. ‘Spurs had a star studded line up which was brim full of international players – Brown, Mackay and White from Scotland, Blanchflower from Northern Ireland, Medwin and Jones from Wales, Baker, Norman and Smith from England. They were an exceptional team.
.................................................. .......