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Sir Matthew Busby (Orbiston, Glasgow May 26 1909 - January 20 1994) was a football player and manager, most noted for his spell managing Manchester United F.C. during the 1950s and 1960s
As a player, Busby enjoyed spells at Manchester City F.C and Liverpool F.C. and played at international level for Scotland once, before his career was cut short by the World War II.
Busby joined Manchester United as manager in 1945. His team were runners up in the league in 1947, 1948, 1949, and 1952 before winning the championship in 1952. During this time, the team picked up the affectionate nickname the Busby Babes, due to the youthfulness of some of his signings, and included players such as Bobby Charlton and Duncan Edwards. They won the league in both 1956 and 1957 and were beaten FA Cup finalists in 1957.
In 1958, tragedy struck the Busby Babes as the Munich air disaster took the lives of eight members of the team. Busby himself was severely injured and was twice given his last rites.
In the 1960s, Busby rebuilt the Manchester United team, with famous players including Denis Law and George Best. The biggest success of his career came in 1968 when the team won the European Cup. He retired as manager in 1969, and remained at the club as a director until 1982.
Busby was awarded the CBE in 1958 and knighted following the European Cup victory in 1968.
He was mentioned in the Beatles song, "Dig It".
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