Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville.

United's loyal one-club servants

Wednesday 03 June 2020 11:59

Ryan Giggs has been honoured by Athletic Club as part of their 'One-Club Man' initiative but he is not the only Red who spent his entire career to the club.

The legendary Manchester United winger made a record 963 appearances for the Reds after coming through the ranks and thoroughly deserves the special recognition from the Bilbao side.

However, there are others who can be proud of spending all their professional playing days with United.

Giggs to receive Athletic Club award

 Article

The famous Bilbao club have designated Ryan as the latest winner of their 'One-Club Man' award.

Although the man Giggs replaced as the club's record appearance-maker, Sir Bobby Charlton, went on to become player-manager at Preston North End, the next three on the overall all-time list only turned out for United.

Paul Scholes came out of retirement to continue his career with his boyhood side in 2012, while defenders Bill Foulkes (who joined aged 18 in 1950), and homegrown product Gary Neville also fit into the one-club category.

Some other loyal Reds are worthy of a mention - Jack Silcock made 449 appearances and, although joining Oldham Athletic in 1934, only played for their Reserves before drifting into non-league. Clarence Hilditch and Charlie Moore are among those who also only represented non-league sides in addition to performing for us.

Local lad Dick Duckworth was a right-half who played solely for the club between 1903 and 1914 before retiring due to injury.

The Munich Air Disaster tragically cut short the lives of those who could have gone on to remain with the Reds - Roger Byrne and Duncan Edwards were stalwarts for club and country. David Pegg, Billy Whelan, Mark Jones, Eddie Colman and Geoff Bent were all Busby Babes. Jackie Blanchflower never played again due to the injuries he sustained in the crash.

Gary Bailey (South Africa) and Shay Brennan (Republic of Ireland) played all their competitive football for us before continuing their careers in other countries.

Other British clubs to feature several one-club men include Leeds United (such as Jack Charlton, Eddie Gray, Gary Kelly, Paul Madeley) and Celtic (Packie Bonner, Billy McNeill and Paul McStay).

Defender Bill Foulkes played for United for 17 years.

Most appearances by United's one-club men

Ryan Giggs

Appearances: 802 (161).
Debut: v. Everton (H), 2/3/91.
Last game: v. Hull (H), 6/5/14.

Paul Scholes
Appearances: 577 (141).
Debut: v. Port Vale (A), 21/9/94.
Last game: v. West Brom (A), 19/5/13.

Bill Foulkes
Appearances: 685 (3).
Debut: v .Liverpool (A), 13/12/52.
Last game: v. Southampton (H), 16/8/69.

Gary Neville
Appearances: 566 (36).
Debut: v. Torpedo Moscow (H), 16/9/92. 
Last game: v. West Brom (A), 1/1/11.

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