Sunday 29 January 2012

Testimonial for Busby Babe Gregg


Manchester United will send a team to play an Irish League XI for Harry Gregg's testimonial.

The goalkeeper survived the 1958 Munich air disaster and was praised for his bravery after staying with the burning plane to help passengers to safety.

Now 79, the former Northern Ireland international had a 10-year stint with United, making 247 appearances.

There has been no official announcement but the game is expected to take place at Windsor Park in Belfast on 15 May.

A £23,000 signing from Doncaster in 1957, Gregg's only honour was an FA Cup runners-up medal in the emotional defeat to Bolton in 1958, just after the tragedy.

Gregg missed the FA Cup final win over Leicester five years later due to injury and later moved to Stoke City as player-coach.

He started his managerial career at Shrewsbury Town and also had spells in charge of Swansea City, Crewe and Carlisle United.

Gregg won 25 caps for Northern Ireland and was voted best goalkeeper at the 1958 World Cup.