RIP David Gaskell
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Jamie (@Vault Dweller) are here to celebrate rare back-to-back victories for Manchester United! They analyse the late win in the Europa League vs. Rangers and then try and find things to analyse in a pretty dour game vs. Fulham. They also chat about the latest Marcus Rashford news, and look at the latest transfer news.
RIP.
RIP. 16 years and 19 days old on his debut.
I think he was plucked from the crowd and given someone else's football boots and then was declared man of the match on his debut.
Rest in peace DG.
Rest in peace DG.
RIP
The story goes that in the 1956 Charity Shield v Man City, Ray Wood got injured and United trainer Bert Whalley pulled the then unknown David Gaskell from the crowd to take Rays place, though how well Whalley knew him Im not sure. Gaskell made history twice that day as the youngest United player to play in a competitive match and as the first substitution United ever made! Gaskell went on to make nearly 100 appearances including the FA Cup Final in 1963.
Exactly.
RIP David
Rest in peace
Interestingly enough, substitutions weren't a thing back then (and we've lost the FA Cup later that season because of another injury to poor Ray Wood), they were introduced 2 years later. City's manager agreed to Busby's unexpected suggestion to field one — I wonder if the dramatic fashion in which City had won their FA Cup (that, subsequently, meant that they'd be competing for the Charity Shield in question) influenced his decision... it was the same final when Trautmann had to play on with a broken neck.
Fascinating story about his debut and Gaskell also played an important role in securing us the FA Cup win in 1963 despite never being our first choice keeper. R.I.P.
He was a very good keeper, would have been our number one but for Harry. R.I.P. Dave.
Saw him between the sticks many times when I was a kid. Back then I used to always try and get a place on the fence behind the goal. He was our reserve goalie with Gregg being 1st choice. He had a way of always making every save look spectacular.
It certainly could have had a significant effect on later 'substitution' discussions.
Although my first memory of football was the 1962 FA cup final, when Danny Blanchflower scored a penalty against Adam Blacklaw, I vividly remember the 63 final, with dear Denis scoring, and Gordon Banks making a mistake with David Herd putting the ball in the net.
I was aware that David played in goal, although I don't remember him specifically.
Just checking the team that day, there is only Pat Crerand and Johnny Giles still going, god bless them.
RIP David.
When I first started going on a regular basis, Pat Dunne was first choice and David Gaskell wasn't playing much.
Yes he did, a flamboyant keeper and if memory serves me right I remember him going to throw the ball out, but it ended in his own net.
When I was a kid I lived on a housing estate where each block of flats was named after a footballer of the time.
I lived on Finney House named after Tom but another one was Gaskell House named after David.
RIP.
I lived on Finney House named after Tom but another one was Gaskell House named after David.
RIP.
What was your opinion of Harry Gregg?
Harry Gregg, played from 1957 to 1966, making 247 appearances and also a Northern Ireland International. In my opinion was a excellent keeper, strong and fearless. Unfortunately a reoccurring shoulder injury reduced the number of games he was able to play. In the 1958 cup final he was knocked into the back of the net by Nat Lofthouse having safely collected the ball, the goal stood. His fearlessness and bravery came to the fore at Munich when he went back into the burning aircraft a number of times pulling out Bobby Charlton, Jackie Blanchflower and Dennis Violet, Matt Busby. After these actions hearing a child crying he returned to the aircraft and rescued a Vera Lukic and her two year old daughter.
Thanks, being from NI I’d heard lots of stories of the big man. I was just wondering as fans what you thought of him as a keeper?
R.I.P.
He was in goal for the final
Harry Gregg was a great 'keeper and a wonderful human being. When interviwed about Munich he was always so humble, saying that anybody would have done what he did, but of course they didnt. It takes real courage to go back inside a burning aircraft to help survivors, and enormous courage to do so repeatedly. In the 2019 New Year Honours list Harry was awarded the OBE but for what he did at Munich he should have been awarded The George Cross in the next round of honours in 1958. Harry could be outspoken and wasnt afraid to have a go at United legends; even Sir Matt came under attack when Harry spoke about the way the great Jimmy Murphy was treated by the club after he retired.
Never being our first choice keeper =/= never being in goal. Bayındır saved us against Arsenal but he isn’t our first choice keeper, same here.
If I remember correctly, he was also very critical and vocal of how the club treated the dependents of those killed in the crash and the treatment of those who survived and their families. I echo the sentiments in the above, a great player, and wonderful human being.
As a keeper I reckon I just took him for granted if I'm honest. Gk's then hade to be brave as they didn't get the protection as they do in modern day football. Gregg was of course a brave keeper. He did his job well though I wouldn't say he was outstanding. The likes of Springett, Banks and Bonetti took more of the limelight back then.
I started going to OT about 1960 and although I remember Munich and how upset my 4yr older brother was, I didn't get to know about the heroics of Harry Gregg until much later in life. I also found out he acted as mentor and fatherly figure to his much younger fellow Irishman - the brilliant George Best. When Bestie started to go off the rails he knew where it was going. It sickened him and he tried all he could to fix him but sadly to no avail.
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I read a story about Harry putting his foot through a hotel door trying to get his hands on best
Sad news RIP
You're a bit older than me but I saw Harry play maybe three or four times - if that - when my dad started taking me to games. I was really too young to have an opinion on him. I remember David Gaskell and Pat Dunne but by the time Dunne was a regular, David Gaskell was second choice. The first goalie I really remember well is Alex Stepney. I was there for his debut against City when the King scored the winner.
There was a glut of excellent keepers in that era. Pat Jennings was at Tottenham, Sprake at Leeds (though he had his moments), and Gordon West at Everton who was also a fine goalkeeper.
I remember when Harry Gregg was transferred to Stoke, followed not long after by David Herd. I don't know much about his career in the Potteries or whether he played for Stoke against us. Do you know?
R.I.P.
Afraid I had to google Greggs career at Stoke as I have no memory he ever went there if I'm honest. He made only 2 apps so maybe I can be forgiven for that.
Interesting you mention Pat Dunne who had a run in the 1st team and I did get to see him on a number of occasions. However a definate contender for the thread "did he really play for us"
A mention for Jimmy Rimmer who like Gaskell was 2nd choice. A very good keeper who had the misfortune of having to compete with Stepney.
I remember Stepney as a big signing for us at the time. We paid a decent sum of money for him and expectations were high. Saw him loads of times including my first visit to Wembley for the 68 European Cup final and of course that save from Eusebio. As you say there was quite an abundance of great GK's around at that time. Shilton was a personal favourite of mine who followed another great goalie at Leicester. Remember seeing a very young Shilton for the 1st time at OT put in a brilliant performance.