Chow's favourite portrait from United Heroes is...
We speak to the illustrator – dedicated United fan Stanley Chow – behind all 30 Reds included in the club’s new children’s book, which is out now via United Store…
Stanley, what did it mean to you to be working with the club on this new book as a fan?
“I’m absolutely chuffed. It was a childhood dream really, without sounding too kind of hyperbolic. It’s an absolute honour to be working with United. I love the fact that I’m part of the team in one way or another. I still pinch myself, you know what I mean? It’s like: ‘Woah, I’m doing a book for Man United!’ It’s fantastic.”
Out of all the drawings in the book, which would you say you are most pleased with?
“That’s a hard one... I would say Roy Keane is my favourite. He’s not my favourite player, even though I loved him, but I think Roy stands out. I like the George Best one too. It’s ’70s George Best and I’m obsessed with the ’70s. I just love United in the 1970s and all things from then – it’s kind of my era that I’m a bit obsessed with. So, George Best is definitely one of my favourites too.”
“I’m absolutely chuffed. It was a childhood dream really, without sounding too kind of hyperbolic. It’s an absolute honour to be working with United. I love the fact that I’m part of the team in one way or another. I still pinch myself, you know what I mean? It’s like: ‘Woah, I’m doing a book for Man United!’ It’s fantastic.”
Out of all the drawings in the book, which would you say you are most pleased with?
“That’s a hard one... I would say Roy Keane is my favourite. He’s not my favourite player, even though I loved him, but I think Roy stands out. I like the George Best one too. It’s ’70s George Best and I’m obsessed with the ’70s. I just love United in the 1970s and all things from then – it’s kind of my era that I’m a bit obsessed with. So, George Best is definitely one of my favourites too.”
Is George one of your United heroes then and, if not, who are the main heroes for you?
“I wish George Best was my hero but I never really saw him play in my life, you just hear stories, so you can’t really accept him as a hero. But if I did have a United hero, it would be Bryan Robson [right]. I first watched him play at Old Trafford in 1982/83 and he scored some goals against Norwich, I think. I’ve loved him since his antics for England in the ’82 World Cup and it’s just a shame he didn’t win more medals really.”
How do you feel overall about the collection of drawings? It’s quite impressive...
“I wish there were more! I would have had [Steve] Bruce and Pally [Gary Pallister] in there. But on the whole, I guess they had to narrow it down to 30. I would have gone the other way and had more [laughs]! It’s a tough act narrowing down United’s legends to 30, isn’t it!”
“I wish George Best was my hero but I never really saw him play in my life, you just hear stories, so you can’t really accept him as a hero. But if I did have a United hero, it would be Bryan Robson [right]. I first watched him play at Old Trafford in 1982/83 and he scored some goals against Norwich, I think. I’ve loved him since his antics for England in the ’82 World Cup and it’s just a shame he didn’t win more medals really.”
How do you feel overall about the collection of drawings? It’s quite impressive...
“I wish there were more! I would have had [Steve] Bruce and Pally [Gary Pallister] in there. But on the whole, I guess they had to narrow it down to 30. I would have gone the other way and had more [laughs]! It’s a tough act narrowing down United’s legends to 30, isn’t it!”
As a fan, how much do you enjoy combining your passion of supporting the club with drawing players?
“Earlier in my career, I tried to separate football and my career because I didn’t want to turn the thing that I like into my job, if you know what I mean? But then it got to a point where the urge was too strong. Also, when I started doing this, there weren’t that many football illustrators around in the early 2000s and it became a real gap in the market. So, there was a case of me thinking: ‘There’s a gap here, I may as well step into it and make the most of my skills in this area.’”
Away from the drawings, how did your journey supporting the club begin?
“Through my dad, really. He used to work in a restaurant in Alderley Edge – this was back in the ’60s – and when I was growing up, he used to tell me all the stories of meeting George Best, Nobby Stiles, Bobby Charlton and basically, he just made me a United fan. But also, when we moved to Altrincham, we used to have the likes of Gordon McQueen and [Lou] Macari coming into our chippy, so I met them. When you’re a kid and then you see them, having seen them on TV, it’s a kind of magic that happens.”
“Earlier in my career, I tried to separate football and my career because I didn’t want to turn the thing that I like into my job, if you know what I mean? But then it got to a point where the urge was too strong. Also, when I started doing this, there weren’t that many football illustrators around in the early 2000s and it became a real gap in the market. So, there was a case of me thinking: ‘There’s a gap here, I may as well step into it and make the most of my skills in this area.’”
Away from the drawings, how did your journey supporting the club begin?
“Through my dad, really. He used to work in a restaurant in Alderley Edge – this was back in the ’60s – and when I was growing up, he used to tell me all the stories of meeting George Best, Nobby Stiles, Bobby Charlton and basically, he just made me a United fan. But also, when we moved to Altrincham, we used to have the likes of Gordon McQueen and [Lou] Macari coming into our chippy, so I met them. When you’re a kid and then you see them, having seen them on TV, it’s a kind of magic that happens.”
They must be great United memories for you away from the games, but in terms of matches, what stands out for you?
“The biggest memory is [Robin] van Persie’s goal against Aston Villa when we won the 20th Premier League title [in 2013] because it was the best goal I’ve ever seen. That goal just sticks out. It was a great pass from Wayne Rooney and then the volley... I’ve never seen a goal like that before. But going further back, I do remember the Norman Whiteside FA Cup goal against Everton in 1985. I remember as a 10 or 11-year-old kid that was the first time I think I really lost it when United scored a goal. It was incredible, and another massive memory for me.”
How do you watch the games now – have you got a season ticket?
“Yeah, I’ve got a season ticket so I go to every home game. I’ve had the season ticket for about 20-odd years now. I sit near the North West quadrant, it’s a nice view.”
“The biggest memory is [Robin] van Persie’s goal against Aston Villa when we won the 20th Premier League title [in 2013] because it was the best goal I’ve ever seen. That goal just sticks out. It was a great pass from Wayne Rooney and then the volley... I’ve never seen a goal like that before. But going further back, I do remember the Norman Whiteside FA Cup goal against Everton in 1985. I remember as a 10 or 11-year-old kid that was the first time I think I really lost it when United scored a goal. It was incredible, and another massive memory for me.”
How do you watch the games now – have you got a season ticket?
“Yeah, I’ve got a season ticket so I go to every home game. I’ve had the season ticket for about 20-odd years now. I sit near the North West quadrant, it’s a nice view.”
As you follow the club closely, we’re wondering who you think will be the next United heroes and, with that in mind, if there is anyone you want to draw next?
“I’ve done a little picture of Amad, I think he has a chance. I’ve already done quite a few pictures of [Alejandro] Garnacho... I mean, he’s a star already. Amad looks like he could really break through. I also think Matthijs de Ligt has something in him. I’ve already done some of him, as well. I think he’s going to be a real stalwart of United’s back four and looks like a real leader – he was captain of Ajax as a teenager. I think I’ll definitely be drawing him again in the future.”
United Heroes is available now via the United Store.
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