Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Manchester United news: Sir Matt Busby plaque removed from director's box and family season tickets relocated

Sir Matt was honoured after his retirement by having a plate installed on his seat at Old Trafford, but the club have decided to remove it

Jack de Menezes
Monday 05 September 2016 10:20 BST
Comments
Matt Busby plaque and seats removed from director's box

Manchester United have removed Sir Matt Busby’s commemorative plaque from the Old Trafford director’s box and have relocated the season tickets given to his family, it has been revealed.

Former United manager Sir Matt remains one of the most influential figures in the club’s history as well as in British football, having crafted the “Busby Babes” that was involved in the tragic Munich air disaster in 1958. A decade later, Sir Matt – who survived the crash that killed 23 people including eight players – led United to European Cup success having rebuilt the side after his recovery.

Sir Matt retired in 1971, and was honoured with a plate being attached to his seat inside the stadium along with being given three seats alongside him for his family members.

However, the Daily Mail has revealed that the club has now removed the plaque 22 years after his death, and moved the seats for his family to a new area of the stadium away from the director’s box.

Sir Matt’s children, son Sandy and daughter Sheena, sadly passed away in 2014 and 2015 respectively, and their families have each been given three tickets in the Warwick Suite that includes hospitality. It’s added that Sir Matt’s grandchildren were permitted to use the season tickets in the director’s box throughout the 2015/16 campaign.

Sandy’s daughter, Amanda Eustace, labelled the offer of the additional season tickets from United as “fantastic” and was keen to praise the club for the gesture towards Sir Matt’s family since his retirement.

United - A film based on the true story of the Busby Babes

She told the Manchester Evening News: “My dad always said it was a privilege to have those box tickets. We have been extremely grateful to United for what they have given us over the past years.

“We do still have season tickets, which is absolutely fantastic.”

However, it's reported that not all of Sir Matt's family are pleased with the decision, and questioned why the club would choose to remove the plate honouring the former manager given his contribution to the club.

A banner paying tribute to the 'Busby Babes' is displayed in the Stretford End at Old Trafford

Sir Matt managed the United first team from 1945 until 1969 and again for the second half of the 1970/71 season before retiring from the game. Despite playing for Manchester City and Liverpool during his career, he grew into one of United’s most successful managers, despite the tragedy of the Munich air disaster in 1958.

Sir Matt led the club to First Division titles in 1951/52, 1955/56 and 1956/57, but the following season saw the club suffer one of the most tragic incidents in British football history when the airplane carrying them home from a European Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade on 6 February crashed on the runway in Munich in extreme conditions, leading to the death of eight players and three club officials among the 23 fatalities.

Sir Matt Busby led United to their first European Cup success

He would spend nine weeks in hospital and received the last rites twice, but recovered to return to his post as manager the following season before claiming two more league titles in 1964/65 and 1966/67 as well as the FA Cup success in 1962/63. However, it was the European Cup success in 1967/68 that marked his finest achievement on the pitch, leading to his knighthood.

The Independent has contacted Manchester United for comment on the decision to remove the plaque.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in