MUFCINFO.COM

PLAYER INTERVIEW - Alex Stepney

Article by Mark Graham, Editor, Record Keeper & Official Reporter @ MUFCINFO.COM.

Your Editor @ mufcinfo.com was recently given the opportunity to interview, Ex Manchester United Goalkeeper Mr Alex Stepney.

In conjunction with the 25 year Anniversary of the Editor's Branch of the West Cumbria Manchester United Supporters Club, an event was organised by members of our supporters club with a true United Legend in every sense of the word, Mr Alex Stepney.

As we are no doubt aware, Alex Stepney was an integral part of United defence through what you might just call, "the thick and the thin". 

A League Winner & European Cup Winner coupled with a relegation in 1973/74 season Alex Stepney played 539 times for the Reds in a career spanning from 1966 to 1979.

Hello Alex & big thanks for taking the time to talk to mufcinfo.com, where were you born?

Mitcham in Surrey

Transferred from Chelsea in August 1966 for £55,000, how did the transfer come about?

Tommy Docherty signed me when he was at Millwall, but with Chelsea already having Peter Bonnetti, I played one game for Chelsea before I moved to United a few months later.

You made your United debut against Manchester City on the 17th September 1966 at Old Trafford, what can you remember about the atmosphere & overall feel of making your debut?

The Old terracing created a remarkable atmosphere as it always did, and I kept a clean sheet if I remember!!.

Can you remember who scored the winner

Yes, Denis Law.

Whilst at United you played under five managers, who did you prefer?

Matt, It was six managers by the way (laughs...) Matt Busby, Wilf McGuinness, Frank O'Farrell, Tommy Doc, Dave Sexton.............and Matt Busby again!!!."

Got me there!!

What your recollection of the Pat Jennings goal in the 1967 Charity Shield?

Big Bill Foulkes went to clear it (laughs blaming him), then it went straight over his head & over mine and right into the back of the net!!

After the famous save you made in the 1968 Final, Eusebio smashed his shot at you but as the footage showed, he seemed to have something to say afterwards?.

I think it was more of a compliment to be honest, like well done, I really wanted to get the ball out to Tony Dunne & get the game going again on the counter.

In the season of doom in 1973/74, Why did you become United's penalty taker?

It was Tommy Docherty's idea, it came from when we had a penalty shoot out in a pre season friendly against a Spanish side who I cant quite remember who now.

Tommy after seeing me play in a 5 a side game in training just suddenly picked me to take a penalty which I scored, then later I took two, and scored both times.

Can you remember back to the penalty incidents?

I know they were both at home at Old Trafford, but I cant remember who it was against.

The 1st was a 2-1 defeat against Leicester City, the second a 1-0 win against Birmingham City.

Why did you leave United for the Dallas Tornados?

I was coming to the end of my career really and had been playing for United for 12 years, and after an offer came in from Dallas I took the oppertunity to do something different.

What was you time in Dallas like, several players tried the USA,

I remember it being bloody hot.... yes George Best played in the USA & Pele.

A favourite sport of mine is NFL, did you get to meet any of the Dallas Cowboys?

Yes, I remember the Cowboys had a big star called Roger Stubach who was very popular, on every advert on the Tv, a bit like the popularity of Beckham nowadays.

Who's the Best Player you ever played with?

George Best (doesn't even have to think)

Best player Ever played against?

Got to be Eusebio

Mark Graham was talking to Alex Stepney.

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