Wayne Barton - The Last Busby Babe: The Autobiography of Sammy McIlroy

First published by Pitch Publishing, 2022

Pitch Publishing

A2 Yeoman Gate

Yeoman Way

Durrington

BN13 3QZ

www.pitchpublishing.co.uk

Wayne Barton, 2022

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Print ISBN 9781801500746

eBook ISBN 9781801502405

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I HAVE been asked numerous times over the years to write my memoirs not least by Wayne Barton, who helped me. When I made the decision that now was the right time, I talked to Paddy Barclay, who recommended Wayne. I half-expected that he would be too busy, as he often is, but I was delighted when he agreed and I have to first thank him for his work and also for his professionalism during a difficult time for us all in the country. I wondered if, due to Waynes existing volume of work on the time I played for Manchester United, he may be too deferential I neednt have worried. He challenged me and questioned me it made the experience even more enjoyable, and hopefully has resulted in a very honest account of my life. Most of this book was written in coffee shops we built up quite a loyalty card collection. I wish to also thank his wife Stacey for her patience and assistance.

My life in football has given me everything I ever dreamed of and beyond. I am so thankful to Bob Bishop for his belief in me, his loyalty through my formative years and his unwavering dedication to send me to Manchester United. He took me to watch my hero play at Windsor Park and then sent me to Manchester to play with him.

I can remember my first meeting with Sir Matt Busby. He presented himself immaculately and on some subconscious level I was immediately made aware of the obligation of representing his wonderful club in the same manner to always be the best of yourself. It is a privilege to have been signed by him and to have been deemed worthy of playing football the way he wanted it to be played. The same goes for Jimmy Murphy, Joe Armstrong, John Aston Senior, Wilf McGuinness and the rest of the backroom staff that did just as much in upholding the clubs standards. Ill never forget the way they welcomed my parents and assured them their son would be looked after. I owe all these men a tremendous amount. I only hope they knew how much I appreciated their help.

I feel fortunate to have two very special periods in my United career. The first was the very early accomplishment of a dream. To line up with Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and of course George Best. Frank OFarrell gave me that chance and I cherish the memories. I also look back fondly on my time working with Dave Sexton, who was a very fine man. My best days as a player undoubtedly came in the period between 1974 and 1977. Alex Stepney. Stuart Pearson. Gerry Daly. Arthur Albiston. Jimmy Greenhoff. Jimmy Nicholl, Alex Forsyth, Lou Macari. Gordon Hill. Steve Coppell. Dee McCreery. Stewart Houston. Martin Buchan. Brian Greenhoff. Thank you to each of those men for being a joy to play with. And thank you to the man who put us all together, Tommy Docherty, for being a fantastic manager, but also for being there when I needed him on a personal level.

Representing my country was another dream. Terry Neill gave me my first opportunity and Dave Clements also picked me. It was a special privilege to play under Danny Blanchflower, one of Northern Irelands greatest football men. The best days, of course, came under Billy Bingham. Ill never forget the incredible honour of playing for my country in two World Cups and captaining them in one.

After moving into management I can honestly say I could count the difficulties I had with players on one hand and still have fingers left over. The consequence of that is that there are simply too many wonderful players to mention, who all gave everything I could have asked. I hope that I have mentioned you all in the main body of this book.

There are a number of people whose assistance and support throughout my managerial career was so valuable. The late Gordon Clayton and Arthur Jones. Gil Prescott. Peter Davenport and Mark Lillis. And I could not forget David Bowen, who I only wish I had listened to more. On that point, I would also like to thank Sir Alex Ferguson. Throughout this book I have expressed my regret that I didnt contact him more at times when I felt I should. I can only repeat that here because he is, without question, a man of class and integrity.

I was born into football and involved in the professional game from being a young teenager at the biggest club in the world. It has been a privilege and a responsibility for me, and one shared by my family. My children are not young enough to have witnessed my best days at United but I was fortunate that they were old enough to appreciate everything that happened during my management career and the pride I have that they could see me manage my country is a wonderful feeling.

It softens the blow of not being able to share that with my mum and dad. I dearly wish I could have done. I wish I could thank them for their unconditional love. That I could speak to them now, at the age I am, to tell them I understand and appreciate, in all clarity, everything they did for me. They gave me everything they could, and more, to make every dream I ever had come true.

EVERY YEAR at Manchester United the established professionals would keep an eye out for the new arrivals at junior level. We knew that the pick of the crop from the local countries would be arriving and we were curious to see who would be next. Players dont always stand out but Sammy did his energy, skill and determination was on show from day one. Those things seemed to come naturally to him but he was also close to his idol George Best, and cleaned the boots of a European Player of the Year in Denis Law and a World Cup winner in Nobby Stiles, so he had all the incentive he needed. Sammy was given his chance at just 17 and looked like a natural first-teamer from the start. That chance was given to him by Frank OFarrell but then Tommy Docherty came in, and Sammy suffered horrendous injuries in a car accident. We were a family at United. We were hurt when Sammy had his car crash. As players you try and help your colleagues using your experience. But when you go through something like that you wonder if a player will be able to continue. Wed already seen Bobby Noble, a very promising defender, lose his career to a similar accident. Sammy was lucky to survive and lucky to have a career but he lived for football and gave it everything typical of an Irishman to be so stubborn!