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Ace reporter Barrie Saxton returns after a short hiatus with a new instalment of Fan of the Week. Featured is Bill Blair from London, Ontario whose all-time favourite United player is the original king...Dennis Law.
Hi, my name is Bill Blair and I live in London, Ontario. I was born in Greenock, Scotland but raised in Margate, Kent, England. Margate is on the sunny south coast of England where if you were lucky, summer would last from July 25th to July 28th!! I emigrated to Canada many years ago and worked in one of the Canadian Banks but I am now retired.
I first became a fan of United in 1957 when I saw them play Aston Villa in the F.A. Cup, which they lost 2-1. This loss was due to Peter McParland, Aston Villa's left winger, smashing United’s keeper Ray Wood' cheekbone in the sixth minute of the game. Peter McParland had headed the ball into Wood's arms and it seemed a routine matter for Wood to kick it clear. But McParland kept on coming to crash into the United keeper. Bearing in mind goalkeepers were not given the same protection as they are today, it was still an outrageous charge. Wood was carried off and Jackie Blanchflower, United's centre half took over in goal. In those days there were no substitutes allowed and even though Wood came back on to play on the right wing but was in no shape to play and basically United played with ten men for 84 minutes. I believe if this injury had not occurred It would have been United and not Tottenham who would have been the first team to have won the double in the twentieth century.
When I was growing up, no other members of my family were United fans… they all supported Glasgow Rangers. Now however, my wife and son have become keen United supporters, I swear through no coercion on my part. Most Saturdays I watch United play at The Scots Corner Pub on Dundas Street in London Ontario. There is a Chapter of the Manchester Untied Supporter's club that meets there to watch all the United games.
Sadly, I have never been to Old Trafford. The reasons for this are that living in the South of England, it was a long way to travel and I was playing football on Saturday afternoons. I did move up to London in the mid sixties and managed to watch United whenever they played one of the London Clubs. It is my dream that I will make the pilgrimage before the mortal day arrives.
My all time favourite United player is Dennis Law - The King. To watch Law in full flight with the ball, jumping to head a ball or turning after he had just scored a goal was poetry. Law's ability to leap to head a ball before all the other players and hang there in mid-air, while all the other players were on their way down had to be seen to be believed. There are a few other players who have had a similar ability, but none could match Dennis for “hang time. ” Every time I saw him do this I marveled at the true genius of Law's ability. Taking all the great players who have played for United I do not believe that any of them has rivaled the adulation King Dennis received from the Stretford End. I remember watching a game at Tottenham in the middle sixties and Law was given a through ball that was running into the corner and appeared destined for a goal kick. The Tottenham defence was lying square halfway inside their own half and made no attempt to go back for the ball as they saw it as a lost cause. Even the goalkeeper did not bother to come out for it. But, as soon as the ball was played Law started to chase it. Just like everyone in that ground I thought the ball was going out… that was everyone except Dennis. He got to within yards of the ball and went into a slide on a very wet greasy surface. Law stopped the ball on the goal line , jumped up and crossed the ball to his oncoming teammates and a retreating defence. It seemed as if a hush came over the ground before a tremendous roar erupted from I believe both sets of fans. The shear audacity and will to win were clearly demonstrated by Law in that one moment of brilliance.
As a United supporter I am not sure there is any one singular thrill I can pinpoint. However, the fact that I chose a team to support that has always played with the spirit, class and attacking football that the majority of Brits. wish they could emulate has always given me a thrill and sense of pride that has never left me since 1957.
Regarding Sir Alex Ferguson, I do not think he is ready to retire. He still shows the determination and dedication to put out the best team possible to compete for the top honours. You just have to look no further than last season to see this. After losing a player of Ronaldo's class and having long spells where the defence was sorely depleted, (in fact in one game there was only one recognized defender playing) United with a little luck could have won the Premier League and reached the final of the UEFA Champions League.
With respect to next season, I believe there are several variables that are present that will play a big part in how we do. First, what will happen with Vidic. . . is he going or staying? If he stays this brings consistency to the defence. If Ferdinand continues to have injuries then with Vidic you can put Evans or Brown as his defensive partner as well as introducing Smalling when feasible. However if Vidic does decide to leave, United will have to go into the transfer market for a top quality central defender. Either way, the defence looks pretty solid.
Midfield has a few question marks over it. Will Hargreaves be back? Will Anderson be back and will his attitude have changed? Anderson has got plenty of ability but I think his attitude last term seemed at times not beneficial to the team. I think if he can come back fit in mind and body and start to add some goals to his play he will be a big asset to the club. If these two players can return to the first team fit and motivated they will relieve a lot of concern regarding the midfield strength. I still think the team need a top quality skillful midfield player who can bring some flair in that department. However, with Hargreaves and Anderson back the midfield will hold their own with all the other top teams.
The forward line is the big question mark for me. Rooney cannot continue to play up front on his own. He needs help. I feel there’s a need for a big type “centre forward” who can take the weight off Rooney and can create space for him. I am not convinced that Berbatov is the man for this role. Although I do appreciate Berbatov's ability I am not sure that United's style suits him. Waiting for their chance we have Welbeck, Macheda and Diouf who could break in this term. However, I think United need someone with experience immediately. The new Mexican lad, Fernandez looks very useful and could be an instant hit, but he is young and untried in the Premier League.
Having said all that, I think that regaining first place in the Premier League is well within our grasp as well as winning the F.A. Cup. With regards to the Champions League, I feel that United need a quality player to strengthen midfield and another striker to really stand a chance of going all the way. With best regards to United fans across Canada.
Bill. Editor's Note: See Bill's photo in the Photo Galleries |
