Source: Manchester_EveningNews
Sir Matt Busby's lasting legacy
SANDY Busby travelled to Scotland to honour the memory of his father, Sir Matt, and commemorate his 100th birthday in the most fitting way - the son of the United's late inspirational manager sat on the coach with the next generation of Reds wannabes.
Sandy was a welcome guest on the coach with Ole Solskjaer's United reserve side as they motored North of the Border to play Motherwell in a tribute match for Sir Matt.
The latest batch of young United players are on the Old Trafford ladder hoping to be handed the opportunity to carve out a senior career in Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
The door to a United first team future for young players was, of course, swept open by Busby senior, in the 50s in an era when the bulk of the post-war first division players were generally from an older generation.
Busby's ground-breaking introduction of fresh-faced teenagers stunned the soccer world. The Busby Babes were born and a new outlook saw new opportunities for the younger generation especially at pioneering Old Trafford.
Sandy Busby was the guest of honour at Fir Park just five miles from where his father was born on May 26, 1909 in a two-bedroom pitman's cottage in the mining village of Orbiston in North Lanarkshire.
When he was born, the doctor told his mother: "A footballer has come into this house today."
More importantly, a future innovative football coach and forward-thinking manager came into the world - and his influence is still being felt today. As well as it being appropriate that Busby junior should motor to Motherwell with the Reds' kids, it was also fitting that they were in the Lanarkshire county to help raise funds for the scholarship set up in his name.
Proceeds from the match between Solskjaer's Reds reserves and ex-Stockport County boss Jim Gannon's Scottish Premier League club, went towards the Sir Matt Busby Scholarship recently launched by the North and South Lanarkshire councils.
The scheme was set up to allow adults and youths in the Scottish county to enjoy free coaching and help put them on a better road in life.
Sandy says it's just what his dad would have wanted.
"My dad was always very keen to promote young talent. Obviously everybody knows about his work at United, and with the Babes, and how he gave them their chance," he said.
Dedicated
"That was his dream. He wanted to build a team full of young boys who could take on, and beat, the best.
"All through his life whenever he saw a young footballer or a young golfer or any young sportsperson, he would always go and have a chat with them. He was always encouraging them how to be dedicated and concentrated.
"He just loved to help young people improve themselves through football or any other sport. That was how he was able to avoid a career down the mine and how he was able to make so much of his life. Football gave him so many opportunities and he wanted others to have those chances as well.
"Dad would be over the moon that the proceeds from this game were going towards the Lanarkshire initiative to provide scholarships for young people. Areas like this still need a lift and encouragement all these years on from when my dad was brought up around here. He would be so pleased at what they are doing in his name. I'm very proud to have come up here to be at the inaugural Sir Matt Busby Shield. This is the area that formed my dad's character.
"His dad, who was a miner, was killed in the Battle of the Somme in WW1 and my dad realised he was going to have to support his mum and three sisters.
"Despite playing in a very successful junior side at the time he went down the pit to earn money. He called it `hell on earth' shoving the buggies and trolleys down the coalface. But it showed his strength of character.
"He would have been really proud that they were remembering his name in this way.
"It's been a big day and an emotional one for me and one I will never forget."
Reserve boss Solskjaer believes the foundations and beliefs instilled by Sir Matt six decades ago are still at the core of United's thinking in the 21st Century.
"Not long after I came to the club from Norway, I had a long chat with Sir Bobby Charlton," recalled Ole.
"Sir Matt had passed away by then but I always remember Sir Bobby telling me about a lesson that had been passed down from him.
"He basically used to remind his players before every game that the people coming to watch them worked hard for a living all week. When they came to the football on a Saturday they wanted to be entertained.
"That is a fantastic lesson for any young player to be taught because it is the basis on which all football should be played. They are the traditions every club should want to follow.
"It is great for us to be here and commemorate Sir Matt Busby's birthday and help raise money for the scholarship.
"It is a really good occasion for United's young boys to learn more of the history. This is what something like this is about.
"It is very important for me working with these young lads and it is important for the club itself to have the heritage it has.
"For all of us connected with the reserves and the academy it is vital to have that rich history of the club bringing young lads through.
"We can say to these lads and show the facts that they will get a chance at United. And Sir Matt is where it all started back in the 50s. That is where the roots were put down.
"This has been a good experience for all the young boys. Football experience wise it is also very good. We've played young teams so far in the league but this was a chance to play against men.
"These lads have been ready to play against men. It is important to test them against a higher level. You go back to Sir Matt giving the Babes their chance against men in the old First Division and he found out how good they are."
