The story behind the new Sir Matt Busby banner
Manchester United fans unveiled a new banner at Old Trafford on Saturday, which pays tribute to our legendary former manager Sir Matt Busby.
It was a memorable day all round in M16, as the club welcomed back a full crowd for the first time in over 17 months and then, just before kick-off, paraded new signing Raphael Varane on the pitch.
But high up in the Scoreboard End (East Stand), between the first and second tiers, another new fixture was enjoying its first day in front of the United faithful.
The new banner, which is based on a United chant that references the words of Busby, reads: “It's glory and honour,” the great man he said. “There's nothing on earth like being a Red.”
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The piece crosses almost the entirety of the stand, behind the goal where Bruno Fernandes scored the opener during Saturday's 5-1 demolition of Leeds.
Funded solely by supporters, the project has been led by well-known fan group Stretford End Flags, who have been responsible for many of the designs seen in the stadium during recent years.
As with many fan-created songs, there are differing variations and interpretations of the lyrics, but the verse used here goes: “It's glory and honour, the great man he said, there's nothing on earth like being a Red. I'll follow them far and I'll follow them near, I'll follow United on whisky and beer.”
Busby, who passed away in 1994, was instrumental in rebuilding the club after the Second World War, during which Old Trafford was severely damaged by German bombs.
He completely revolutionised the way the club was run and, despite the devastation of the 1958 Munich Air Disaster – in which eight first-team players were tragically killed – led us to five league titles, two FA Cups and the first European Cup ever won by an English club.
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