Denis Law walks into Harry Gregg's funeral service in Coleraine, Northern Ireland

Law: Gregg was one of the greatest

Friday 21 February 2020 16:30

Denis Law paid a glowing tribute to Harry Gregg as he prepared to attend his former Manchester United team-mate's funeral on Friday afternoon.

Law was joined at the service in Gregg's native Coleraine, Northern Ireland, by Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Alex Ferguson, who were quoted earlier in the week when it was announced that Gregg - a hero of the Munich Air Disaster - had sadly passed away at the age of 87.

“Harry was the most wonderful guy and one of the best goalkeepers of all time, he was fantastic,” Law told club media, during a museum event to mark the 110th anniversary of Old Trafford.

Gregg and Law shared a dressing room for four years from the latter's arrival in 1962, and together the pair helped United to win the FA Cup in 1963 and the league title in 1965.
Denis and Harry, along with David Herd, lead United out for the 1966 European Cup semi-final against Partizan Belgrade.
“As a striker, I never liked goalkeepers,” joked Law, “but he was alright because he was one of us.

“When you think he was involved in the Munich Air Disaster, and to go back into that [plane] and do what he did. He never received any attention as such, like a knighthood. He should have got that but he didn’t get anything.

“When you think of [something like] that now, because of television and everything, it would be all over the world. But what he did was hardly mentioned in those days.

“Could you imagine going back into the plane? You’re outside in the crash and you go back in and rescue a few people. I don’t think I could have done the same but he was a tough guy.

"He was one of the best ever, as both a goalkeeper and a person, for what he did. They called him a hero but he didn’t want any of that.”

A book of condolence has been opened in Harry's memory at Coleraine Town Hall and by the Irish FA at Northern Ireland’s National Stadium at Windsor Park.

Respects will also be paid at Old Trafford on Sunday, when the Watford match will be preceded by a minute's silence and the players will wear black armbands. A surfer banner featuring an image of Harry will be unfurled before kick-off.

Harry Gregg 1932-2020