Headline:
Historic Interview with Sir Matt Busby Revealed in New Podcast Series
Body:
A newly discovered interview with legendary Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby from 1979 has come to light, thanks to Manchester United expert Wayne Barton. Barton, who has authored more than 20 books on the club, gained access to archival material from Tom Tyrrell, a longtime local radio reporter and former stadium announcer for United until his passing in 2017.
This exclusive content includes previously unheard conversations with Sir Alex Ferguson for Barton’s upcoming book, Fergie: The Lost Tapes, set to be released in September. However, the interview with Busby has been made public as part of the United Unheard podcast series.
In the interview, Busby reflects on his decision to accept the role of United’s manager, where he signed a three-year contract worth £750 annually despite receiving several other offers. He recounts a pivotal friendly match against Kilmarnock in 1953 that solidified his belief in the potential of the Busby Babes, stating, “They did very well – I think we won 4-0 or something – so from the Wednesday night to the Saturday I remember walking around the golf course up there at Troon where we were staying by myself, saying will I play them on Saturday against Huddersfield, who were in the first division at the time, or will I not. I decided to play them and that was the start of the pre-Munich side.”
Busby also discusses his aspirations for United to participate in European competitions, despite facing opposition from the Football League. He poignantly shares his experience following the Munich air disaster, recalling the moment he learned about the fate of the players involved. “My dear wife was with me,” he noted. “I said the names of the players and she said whether they’d been killed or were alive. I said I’m not going back to Manchester United again. I’m not going to have anything to do with football. It was my wife who said the players who had passed away would want you to carry on.”
A fascinating interview with Sir Matt Busby from 1979 has been unearthed by Manchester United expert Wayne Barton.
Barton has written over 20 books on United.
He has been given access to archive material generated by Tom Tyrrell, who covered United for local radio for decades, and at one point was also the club’s stadium announcer.
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Tyrrell, who was still working when I started covering the club in 2002, died in 2017.
Barton has been given access to Tyrrell’s interviews with Sir Alex Ferguson for a new book – Fergie : The Lost Tapes – which is due out in September.
But the chat with Busby has never been heard before, but has been published as part of the United Unheard podcast series.
The Scot reveals he turned down a number of alternative offers when he agreed to become United’s manager, signing a three-year contract at £750 a year.
He also recalls a friendly against Scottish club Kilmarnock in 1953 as the moment he knew the Busby Babes would be good enough to play senior football.
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“They did very well – I think we won 4-0 or something – so from the Wednesday night to the Saturday I remember walking around the golf course up there at Troon where we were staying by myself, saying will I play them on Saturday against Huddersfield, who were in the first division at the time, or will I not,” says Busby.
“I decided to play them and that was the start of the pre-Munich side.”
He also explains why he was so keen for United to play in European competition, despite opposition from the Football League.
And, harrowingly, he talks about the aftermath of the Munich air crash and being told which players had died and which had survived.
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“My dear wife was with me,” he said. “I said the names of the players and she said whether they’d been killed or were alive.
“I said I’m not going back to Manchester United again. I’m not going to have anything to do with football.
“It was my wife who said the players who had passed away would want you to carry on.”
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