WATCH - Funeral takes place for footballing giant Harry Gregg in Coleraine

Friday, 21 February 2020 13:24

By Hannah Spratt @Radio_han

By Q Radio News and PA

Manchester United greats Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson and Denis Law were among mourners who arrived for Harry Gregg's funeral in Coleraine.

The former Northern Ireland international goalkeeper was hailed as a hero after the Munich air disaster in February 1958, in which 23 people were killed.

He died earlier this week aged 87.

His funeral was held at St Patrick's Parish Church in Coleraine, Co Londonderry, at midday.

(Sir Alex Ferguson arrives in a rather wet Coleraine for the funeral service of Harry Gregg.)

These people gathered outside and spoke to Q Radio:

In a eulogy, BBC Sports presenter Stephen Watson recalled Mr Gregg's childhood, where he was the first of six children.

"Harry always admired the courage and resilience of his younger brother Billy who suffered with polio, and lost the use of his legs. Harry was so proud Billy was able to set up his own business.

"Soon Harry and family moved to Windsor Avenue in Coleraine and from the moment he was old enough to walk, football was his passion. Every spare minute in his early years were spent kicking football in Victoria Park in the summer, and in the winter it was street football, with goalposts on the gable wall."

"As a child, Mr Gregg's footballing idol was Glasgow Celtic goalkeeper Johnny Thompson.

"Probably the reason Harry wanted a career between the sticks - even though not many know he started at left back.

"Harry also purposely flunked an exam so he didn't have to go to grammar school as they concentrated on rugby and cricket."

Harry Gregg’s coffin leaves St. Patrick’s church in Coleraine pic.twitter.com/JBBFJ33rlz
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) February 21, 2020

Mr Watson recalled Gregg was first signed for Manchester United.

"Soon, while at Doncaster Rovers, one of the world's biggest football clubs came calling. Manchester United. Harry told me how he was bundled into a car, blanket put over his head and taken to a house - when he was able to open his eyes in front of him was Sir Matt Busby.

"Before Matt even had the words out "do you want to join Manchester United?", Harry said yes! No signing on fee... still said yes!

It was for a world record fee of £23,500 - as Harry said himself it doesn't sound like much now - and David Beckham spends more on haircuts - but he was the most expensive goalkeeper on the planet.

"Harry was proud that he was signed for United - yes for his ability - but also, as he later found out, for his character".

The coffin of @ManUtd and @OfficialIrishFA football legend Harry Gregg is carried into St Patrick’s Church in Coleraine ahead of his funeral service. The Munich hero died earlier this week aged 87. pic.twitter.com/jAM7QzfZB4
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) February 21, 2020

Gregg survived the Munich crash and twice returned to the burning fuselage to drag United team-mates and strangers to safety.

He rescued United players Sir Bobby and Dennis Viollet from the BEA Flight 609, as well as a 20-month-old baby and her badly injured pregnant mother.

Sir Bobby Charlton arrives at St. Patrick’s Church in Coleraine pic.twitter.com/2ZqCF9TSOb
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) February 21, 2020

In nine years at United, Gregg played 247 times, including in a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday just 13 days after the Munich tragedy.

Gregg became the world's most expensive goalkeeper when Sir Matt Busby's United paid Doncaster £23,000 in 1957 and he was voted the best keeper at the World Cup a year later.

He won just 25 caps for his country during an international career that was hampered by injury.

Gregg had spells with Windsor Park Swifts, the reserve team of Linfield, and his local club Coleraine before moving to England to sign for Doncaster at the age of 18, and played for Rovers between 1952 and 1957.

When he retired from playing, a managerial career followed, with spells in charge of Shrewsbury, Swansea, Crewe and Carlisle.