Harry Gregg: Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend dies aged 87
Written by News on 17/02/2020
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Harry Gregg, who was hailed a hero for bravely rescuing teammates and other passengers in the Munich air disaster, has died aged 87.
The Old Trafford legend, who also starred for Northern Ireland at the 1958 World Cup, passed away “peacefully in hospital surrounded by his loving family”.
The Harry Gregg Foundation, a charity set up in his name, announced: “It is with great sorrow that we inform of the death of Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend Harry Gregg, OBE.”
Its statement added: “The Gregg family would like to thank the medical staff at Causeway Hospital for their wonderful dedication to Harry over his last few weeks. To everyone who has called, visited or sent well wishes we thank you for the love and respect shown to Harry and the family.
“Details of his funeral arrangement will be issued in the next few days. We would ask that the privacy of the family is respected at this difficult time.
“Never to be forgotten!”
Gregg was on board BEA Flight 609 when it crashed in Munich on the afternoon of 6 February 1958.
Eight of United’s iconic Busby Babes, named after then manager Matt Busby, died in the tragedy along with 15 others, however the death toll could have been higher.
Gregg was hailed as a hero for his efforts in rescuing people from the wreckage, including teammates Bobby Charlton and Dennis Viollet, plus a 20-month-old baby and her badly injured mother – who was pregnant.
Duncan Edwards – tipped to become one of United and England’s greatest ever players – and captain Roger Byrne were among the players killed.
Gregg had only joined United two months prior, signing from Doncaster Rovers for what was then a world-record fee for a goalkeeper of £23,000.
Less than two weeks after the plane crash, he kept one of his 48 clean sheets for United in a 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Old Trafford.
Manchester United tweeted: “It is with deepest sadness that we have learned of the passing of former player Harry Gregg OBE. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club go out to Harry’s family and friends.”
Doncaster, his first English club, also tweeted: “The thoughts of everyone at #DRFC are with the friends and family of Harry Gregg, who made 99 appearances for Rovers before being signed for Manchester United by Matt Busby in 1957 and becoming a hero of Munich. RIP, Harry.”
The summer following the crash, Gregg was voted best shot-stopper of the 1958 World Cup for helping his country defy expectations by reaching the quarter-finals.
He made 25 appearances in total for Northern Ireland, where had grown up before his move to Doncaster aged 18.
Gregg was born on 27 October 1932 in County Londonderry and went on to feature for his homeland’s national team between 1954 and 1964.
After leaving United in 1966, he had a short stint at Stoke City and then moved into management – taking the reigns at Shrewsbury Town, Swansea City, Crewe Alexandra and Carlisle United before retiring in 1987.
He was awarded an MBE in 1995 and a testimonial was played in his honour between an Irish League XI and Manchester United in May 2012.
The Harry Gregg Foundation was launched in 2015, aiming to encourage young people to participate in sport.
His final appearance at Old Trafford came in 2018.
(c) Sky News 2020: Harry Gregg: Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend dies aged 87
