Sad news.
So many memories of 'Skip' from his time playing for and managing us.
But most of all I recall that April night in 1968 when we played Everton at Maine Road, while United were down at West Brom, both of us chasing the title, with The Red Filth two points ahead of us and having the edge due to their next and final two games being at home, while we had to travel to Spurs and Newcastle.
Our game against a really good Everton side was tense and edgy, made all the more so as we learned that The Baggies were on the way to thrashing The Filth 6-3. Then, in the second half Everton broke away and had a one-on-one with Ken Mulhearn in goal. Out of nowhere, Booky ate up the ground and got back to prevent what looked like a certain goal.. think Jack Grealish on Mo Salah a couple of years ago, only on speed! 'Skip' was so fast, he would've given Kyle Walker a run for his money in a sprint race! That night against Everton he was a blur as he saved us from going 1-0 down!
Not only that, 'Skip' then scored the first goal (and his first of the season) with time beginning to run out, smashing in a loose ball from near the edge of Everton's area. Tony Coleman got a second and we went top on goal difference!
It was the first time we could start believing that we actually could win the League! Just a small matter of winning at White Hart Lane and St James's.. a mere bagatelle!
We did win those two games (while The Filth beat Newcastle 6-0 but then lost 1-2 to Sunderland on the last day) but we definitely needed inspiration from our great captain that night against Everton..!
Good on yer, 'Skip'!
