Harry Gregg interview: Doncaster Rovers and Manchester United goalkeeper who was hero of Munich
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Goalkeeper Harry Gregg has died aged 87. The former Doncaster Rovers and Manchester United player was known as a hero of Munich after his role saving lives after the plane carrying Manchester United's players crashed in Germany.
Harry Gregg was inducted into Doncaster Rovers' hall of fame in 2018, with the club sending a member of staff to his home in Northern Ireland to present him with the certificate.
Harry Gregg arrived in Doncaster from Northern Ireland in 1952, signed by his fellow-countryman Peter Doherty following recommendations from Doherty’s network of scouts. He didn’t have long to wait for his debut, replacing Ken Hardwick for the thrilling 3-3 draw with Blackburn Rovers in January 1953. Harry had the misfortune to dislocate an elbow and did not return until given the last seven games of the season. The next two seasons were frustrating, and he could not force his way past Hardwick.
His luck finally changed in January 1956 when he replaced Hardwick and he did enough to remain in possession of the jersey for the rest of the season. Not only that, but in 1956-57 he missed only two games, and on both occasions, he came straight back into the side. Hardwick was now very much the deputy, and he moved on at the end of the season. Gregg was also Northern Ireland’s No.1, winning nine caps while with Rovers, and playing a huge part in their qualifying campaign for the 1958 World Cup. He was a fearless goalkeeper, at a time when the man between the sticks enjoyed little protection, although he always gave opposing forwards as good as he got. He never wore gloves and often played on with injuries, including a broken finger.
Harry Gregg’s form had not just been noticed in Ireland. Matt Busby was on the lookout for a new goalkeeper and in December 1957 he paid a fee of £23,500 to take Gregg to Old Trafford. This represented a record for Rovers for a player sold Gregg had not been with Manchester United for long when the club suffered the tragedy of the Munich air crash in February 1958. Gregg, shaken but unhurt, showed great courage in helping his team-mates and other passengers out of the wreckage and risked his life to save a female passenger. He was soon back in goal for United and went on to establish himself as one of their finest players Harry also earned 25 full international caps for Northern Ireland and played a heroic role for them in their World Cup campaign in Sweden in 1958 when they reached the quarter-finals.
After his playing career ended, Harry managed Shrewsbury Town, Swansea City, Crewe Alexandra and Carlisle United. In 1971 he was offered the job as Rovers manager, but he declined the offer. Maybe he recognised the dangers of going back to somewhere where he had previously enjoyed success.
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Пікірлер: 18
What an absolute legend Harry was not a bad word for anyone and was the hero of the Munich disaster . The world is worse off today RIP Harry !!!
Great interview, thank you for posting this. A hero on and off the pitch. Rest well, Harry.
Well, that's a lovely interview.
Legend of the game. Hero of humanity. Thanks for this upload. love from Man utd fan.
LEGEND RIP
Once tried to to score a goal when he came to our school great Moreton hall conglton Cheshire 1965/66 our headmaster was big friends With this massive brave man. He keepers a clean sheet like a spider all over thank you Harry. John Rooney st.annes Lancashire UK ps
What a legend Harry god bless you
Wonderful interview! RIP Harry ❤️
legend r.i.p harry gregg you will never be forgotten
A very interesting man to listen to, Harry Gregg RIP
True hero.
RIP Harry
RIP harry
Real Madrid cap, what a legend ❤👊🏾
RiP
Why was this bloke a hero? He survived an aircrash, so why hero? So any of you dicks wnat to see a hero, go and watch Simon Weston, Col H, the 500 British servicement killed in Ops Telic and Herrick. Hero my arse, this stands on the graves of the great and good who defended our country
@Bufferman09
7 ай бұрын
You fucking moron, he’s a hero because he went back into a burning plane and saved a baby and her mother along with his teammates. Turn your brain on and don’t compare him to anyone you stupid fuck
@JBUnited111
4 ай бұрын
Because he saved over 10 lives in the Munich air disaster