Bill Foulkes RIP.

[markb9060]

Just heard today the sad news about the passing away of Manchester United legend Bill Foulkes.

Bill was an original 'Busby Babe' who survived the Munich Air Disaster in 1958.

As a defender, he is forever remembered by United fans for his equalising goal against Real Madrid in the European Cup Semi Final 2nd leg in 1968 which almost silenced the 125.000 Bernabeu crowd and earned United a place in the Final at Wembley.

Described by Sir Bobby Charlton "as hard as nails and tough as teak", Bill Foulkes name will forever be etched in the history of Manchester United and never ever forgotten. RIP Bill.

[bisphamseasider]

Top defender and a huge part of United's post war history.

I was surprised he only won one international cap.

RIP Bill.

[kenred]

Very sad to hear of the death Manchester United stalwart Bill Foulkes.First saw Bill play for United in 1954,and the defender was a Red through ,and through.Played 688 times for United,and scored 9 goals ,probably the most important being against Real Madrid ,in European Cup semi final.RIP Bill ,thanks for the memories playing for United.

[nozer]

Another sad loss to the game of football, i to saw bill play many times great battles v Everton 60s when i first became a regular at Goodison Park.
Thing i remember most about Bill was he had great posistional sence and was rarely drawn away from the middle of the defence.
Recall an epic F.A.Cup tie v Wolves at Molineux mid 60s and Bill blatedly handling the ball and conceding a penalty very early in the game there was no thought in his mind of trying to hide the fact that he had hand balled, held his hands up and addmited his error and just settled down and got on with the rest of the game and helping United to finaly run out 4-2 winners.
RIP Bill.
_________________
"Some people say Wolves best days are gone i prefer to think the best are yet to come" Derek Dougan on joining Wolves from Leicester City 1967.

[manchesterunitedman1]

I do not want to show you images of his great exploits and acheivments as all of this is well documented, i wanted to show you all something that most United supporters and collectors have not seen before.

We all know how Billy Foulkes played and how he ended his playing days, but this couple of images show how he started as an aspiring centre forward for Whiston Youth Club when he represented Prescott and District Amateur League against St.Helens Juvenile Organisations League on the 12th March in 1949. I do not think Bill would mind that they spelt his name wrong FOWLKES.

Quote from Bobby Charlton "He was hard as nails and tough as Teak"

Louis Rocca and Jimmy Murphy were alerted to this tall strapping lad working down the mines and 12 months later he signed as an Amateur for Manchester United aged 18, but within 2 years he made his debut versus Liverpool on 13th December 1952 at Anfield and United won 2-1.

Played 679 games for United and scored 9 times. Yet he only was capped by England ONCE throughout his entire career!

Bill's Dad played Rugby League for St. Helens and professional football for New Brighton and his Grandfather was the former captain of St.Helens Rugby League Club and an International player also.

Well Done Billy, now you can rest in Peace.
http://flic.kr/p/hQZxga
http://flic.kr/p/hQYJeB

[manchesterunitedman1]

2 months after United signed Bill as an Amateur they sent a Manchester United "Colts" team to Haydock to raise some funds for them as part of the deal.
This single sheet programme is to my knowledge the only one to have ever surfaced and shows one or two names on the United side that would emerge as Busby Babes in the future, however Bill was not selected on the programme but then who knows if he played any part?, a genuine RARE item for sure.

http://flic.kr/p/5GVUHD

[PABLO76]

RIP Bill.

Club legend, Munich disaster survivor and one of the greats.

Incredible that all he achieved with Utd only won him 1 England cap, one of the last true legends of the club I adore. Always remembered.

[Cantona93]

Bill was the regular right back in the famous Busby Babes team of the mid 50's. Nice to see his portrait alongside Duncan Edwards on the front cover of this 1955 programme.

RIP Bill, a model professional

[martino]

Apart from Bobby Charlton, how many Munich survivors are still with us?

[PABLO76]

martino wrote:

Apart from Bobby Charlton, how many Munich survivors are still with us?

Just the 1 other, Harry Gregg.

[Fishy]

As Above - another sad loss!

RIP Bill