With my ‘English team’ always being Manchester United, I was delighted to receive a copy of ‘Sir Matt Busby. The Definitive Biography’ on Christmas morning.
It was also signed by the author, London-based Dundonian journalist Patrick Barclay.
Now retired from the newspaper industry, but still a regular on TalkSport and Sky Sports’ Sunday Supplement, Paddy regularly flies north to watch his beloved Dundee FC.
Recently, he attended an event in Edinburgh to talk about his new book with former Dens Park legendary defender Ian Ure.
‘Yogi’ left Dundee to sign for Arsenal before moving to Old Trafford, breaking the world record transfer fee TWICE for a centre-half in the process.
While Paddy regards Busby at the man who shaped Manchester United into the club they are today, Ian Ure had a different view.
He spoke of the Lanark-born Sir Matt being too loyal to certain players, and blamed his reluctance to sell a well-past-his-peak George Best as one of the reasons the Old Trafford club were relegated to the old Division Two.
It was an enthralling evening of Manchester United and football-related chat.
The event is now coming to Dundee on Saturday, February 3, being held at Malmaison in the city centre.
And there will be several special guests attending.
Among them is Bobby Seith, part of the legendary Dundee FC side which won the league in 1961-62 and reached the semi-final of the European Cup the following season.
Bobby joined Dundee from Burnley, for whom he made his debut in 1953 against Busby’s Red Devils — winning 2-1.
Dundee United favourite, the late Frank Kopel, was a player under Busby at Old Trafford, and his wife Amanda Kopel will also be there to share some of Frank’s stories.
You can buy tickets by logging on to www.BusbyDundee.eventbrite.co.uk
Alternatively, tickets can be purchased at Forbes Newsagent, Clepington Road, Dundee; Michael Johnston Hairdressing, Whitehall Crescent, Dundee; or Ron McLeod’s Golf Shop in Monifieth.
This article originally appeared on the Evening Telegraph website. For more information, read about our new combined website.