Former Doncaster Rovers ,Manchester United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Harry Gregg has died aged eighty seven. A hero during the Munich air crash, Harry was a friend of my late Dad when he played for Doncaster Rovers. A great keeper in his time and a lovely bloke. RIP Harry.
Harry’s son, John, was on the books at BFC back in the early mid 90s, probably around the same time Nicky Eaden, Dave Watson and Andy Liddell were coming through.
At the Munich air disaster, Mr Gregg kept going into the burning wreckage to try and save lives. A true hero and legend. R.I.P. sir.
I remember part of the disaster documentary in which Harry Greg describes the feeling around the small mining village that Tommy Taylor was bred when he was transferred to United. How the feeling of the whole village would have been lifted to see one of their own being so successful against a backdrop for them of mining and short winter days etc. Then for it to be taken away in an instant. A very thoughtful and articulate gentleman as well as many peoples hero.
Gregg was the most expensive goalkeeper in the world when he signed for Manchester United from Doncaster for £23500. Busby signed him to replace Ray Wood, who was never the same keeper after being injured by Peter MacParland of Aston Villa in the 1957 cup final resulting him being an outfield passenger in the days before substitutes. Tommy Taylor replaced him in goal. Villa Won 2-1. Gregg was in goal for United in the 1958 cup final after Munich versus Bolton. Nat Lofthouse barged Gregg over the goal line for one of Bolton's goals in a 2-0 win. Neither of those goal incidents would have counted in the modern game. MacParland would probably got a red card today. Wood ended his league career at Oakwell in the mid-60s.
RIP indeed. You had to be brave or a true looney to be a keeper in those days, they just showed the goal he ‘let in’ in the following cup final where he caught it on the line and Nat Lofthouse smashed him and the ball into the back of the net!
That's right TN. I remember young John playing for us. He was one of four to Harry's second wife. His first wife Mavis worked at the Doncaster Telephone Exchange where my late Dad was the Supervisor. On Saturday's when Donny were at home, my Dad was in charge of the Main Stand. Mavis once confided that she liked Harry and at a home games versus Notts Forest he introduced them to each other and that was it.After each game they used to walk me up to Christ Church and put me on a bus where my Mum was on hand to meet me in our village. (Dad was " cashing up" re- having a few jars.!!!!) Harry and Mavis used to come to ours for Sunday lunch as did three other Rovers players, Kit Lawlor, Chris Giles who too were Irish and a big Scots lad centre forward Arthur Aidey. I will never forget four years into Harry's career at Manchester United, he phoned my Dad to let him know that Mavis had died as a result of lung cancer. My Dad was distraught. She was a lovely girl. Harry was a down to earth and very modest lad ,who was a credit to the fine game we all love. RIP big feller.
I knew John well, we played a few games together when I was on schoolboy terms. I think the last time I saw he was managing one of the teams in the Irish league. My old man was mates with Harry and I think Harry asked him to take a look at John and we ended up signing him. I’d like to know what he’s up to now tbf.
He certainly did and a certain Sir Bobby Charlton owes his life to him. There was a wonderful tribute to him on the news earlier. RIP.
