SiYuan
Cafe Grandmaster 2008
Could anyone who actually supported United during the Busby days tell me more about him?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance

Thanks alot PlechPlechazunga said:My old man used to tell me about him when I was a kid...also not long before he died, we were chatting about the Busby Babes in the hospital and he talked a lot about Edwards, really vividly...I can't remember all that much but I'll post what I put down on here shortly afterwards...hang on...
He had everything, apparently: wonderful skill, speed, power, grace, the lot. What stood out most in my dad's mind was the impression you had when looking at him of a meeting of opposites: he was hard as rock and built like a tank, but so young, just a boy, and so fast - that's something you don't often hear about him but he was lightning apparently. A marvellous, and very clean, tackler, and a fine passer of the ball long and short. But what was most extraordinary, according to my dad, was his amazing drive - even more than Keano, he says!
He told me about one game against Everton, probably at Maine Rd he thinks because OT was still being renovated after the blitz, a bruiser of a game on a pitch thick with mud, and the leather ball caked with it and weighing a ton. Edwards had kept United in it, tackling like a man possessed, breaking things up in midfield and appearing from nowhere when the defense was breached. A few minutes from time, he picked the ball up and ran, my dad says in his mind it's three-quarters of the pitch but let's say half, and it looked for all the world like the Everton players were bouncing off him as he surged down the mddle and smashed it home.
I'll try and search for that but I'll need all that I can find for my english essay.kf said:There are other posts on here if you do a search. Poster called Julilan Denny was at the last game the Babes played in England, 5-4 win at Highbury.
CheersMurphman said:Although I'm a scouser my father in law is from Middleton. He tells me that quite simply Edwards was the best player he ever saw, an absolute brute of a man, powerful with skill to burn.
Had it not been for Munich he could well have been the one picking up the world cup instead of Bobby Moore.
Keano1999 said:Apparently he also wrote a book just before he died.
"Tackle soccer this way"
SiYuan said:Could anyone who actually supported United during the Busby days tell me more about him?
Thanks in advance
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Charlton was quote saying that he was not fit even to polish Edwards book.Plechazunga said:Read the thread in the Classics SiYuan, Julian Denny and others will tell you more than I can
If you read Bobby Charlton's book though, he came up against Edwards playing for the army or air force or something during National Service, possibly before even coming to United, i'm not sure, and says he was incredible even then
Murphman said:Although I'm a scouser my father in law is from Middleton. He tells me that quite simply Edwards was the best player he ever saw, an absolute brute of a man, powerful with skill to burn.
Had it not been for Munich he could well have been the one picking up the world cup instead of Bobby Moore.
SiYuan said:Are you sure?
After a small search, Denis Law wrote the book.
Plechazunga said:My old man used to tell me about him when I was a kid...also not long before he died, we were chatting about the Busby Babes in the hospital and he talked a lot about Edwards, really vividly...I can't remember all that much but I'll post what I put down on here shortly afterwards...hang on...
He had everything, apparently: wonderful skill, speed, power, grace, the lot. What stood out most in my dad's mind was the impression you had when looking at him of a meeting of opposites: he was hard as rock and built like a tank, but so young, just a boy, and so fast - that's something you don't often hear about him but he was lightning apparently. A marvellous, and very clean, tackler, and a fine passer of the ball long and short. But what was most extraordinary, according to my dad, was his amazing drive - even more than Keano, he says!
He told me about one game against Everton, probably at Maine Rd he thinks because OT was still being renovated after the blitz, a bruiser of a game on a pitch thick with mud, and the leather ball caked with it and weighing a ton. Edwards had kept United in it, tackling like a man possessed, breaking things up in midfield and appearing from nowhere when the defense was breached. A few minutes from time, he picked the ball up and ran, my dad says in his mind it's three-quarters of the pitch but let's say half, and it looked for all the world like the Everton players were bouncing off him as he surged down the mddle and smashed it home.
Cheers RH.jasonrh said:There is a nice DVD out there called "And Then Came Munich", with footage from some of his games and quite a lot of revealing and sweet interview footage with his mum.
Had me crying.
Plechazunga said:Not Vidic, Edwards was a midfielder, and a lot more skillful and quicker
Probably Keano was the closest we've had in recent years, but as I said, my dad regarded Gerrard as the most similar player around to him
What was his attitude to football?vijay said:For a comparison with Di Stefano, take the best out of Keane and Zidane and add more class. Edwards would've reached that level had fate dosen't intervened.
topper said:sorry to differ but Gerrard is nowt like him - its like comparing chalk and cheese. For me the closest in style of play was Robson but a pale imitation was even the great Robbo
He must have it all then.Plechazunga said:He was a hell of a lot bigger than Robbo though, wasn't he
Remember my dad talking a lot about the unusual combination of his massive physcial presence and his grace and speed
Murphman said:Although I'm a scouser my father in law is from Middleton. He tells me that quite simply Edwards was the best player he ever saw, an absolute brute of a man, powerful with skill to burn.
Had it not been for Munich he could well have been the one picking up the world cup instead of Bobby Moore.
Plechazunga said:He was a hell of a lot bigger than Robbo though, wasn't he
Remember my dad talking a lot about the unusual combination of his massive physcial presence and his grace and speed
Red Dreams said:nice one Murp...you wont have heard of Moore...and England and United would have won a lot more....
SiYuan said:He must have it all then.
Was he a very skilful player? As in, could he dazzle past players like Best did?
SiYuan said:He must have it all then.
Was he a very skilful player? As in, could he dazzle past players like Best did?
Plechazunga said:He played in a different position from Moore