Sir Matt Busby

1909 — 1994

Football Manager; Sir Matt Busby was born in Orbiston, Lanarkshire, on 26 May 1909. From the junior ranks of Denny Hibernian Matt was invited down to Manchester City. Although he struggled initially at Maine Road Busby was switched from inside forward to wing half and never looked back. An FA Cup winners medal, a full cap for Scotland and seven wartime international appearances were just rewards for a distinguished playing career.

At the end of the Second World War Busby turned down a coaching position with Liverpool to take on the almost thankless task of managing Manchester United. Old Trafford had been badly damaged by enemy bombs and early matches were played at Maine Road. Busby quickly transformed the fortunes of the club bringing the FA Cup to Manchester in 1948 and the club were runners up in the League in successive years from 1947 to 1949. He also established a successful youth system which ensured that the FA Youth Cup was won five years in a row between 1953 and 1957.

The talented young players became known as the Busby Babes and they were on the verge of conquering Europe before tragedy struck. The plane crash in Munich killed eight members of the team and almost claimed the life of Busby himself but he returned to build a second great team. In 1968 Manchester United lifted the European Cup after a thrilling match with Benfica. Under Busby the club also won the League championship five times and the FA Cup twice.