Football has returned behind closed doors in England. As such, many clubs are decorating the stadium with banners depicting club legends or quotes. These have been well received, however, Manchester United have caused a bit of a stir as they unveiled a banner with the words “Football is nothing without fans.”
The quote was attributed to Sir Matt Busby, yet there doesn’t appear to be a credible source to show that quote as ever having been said by the former Red Devils boss. Instead, the quote, almost exactly, was said by Busby’s good friend – Jock Stein.
Many Celtic fans know this due to Stein’s statue having the quote “Football without the fans is nothing,” engraved on one side.
Stein’s exact quote was: “Football without the fans is nothing. It could be the greatest game in the world but if there are no people there to watch it, it becomes nothing. Fans are the lifeblood of the game.”
“One small step for Man Utd, one giant step for mankind.”
Sir Matt Busby https://t.co/IIwzohzZWp
— Tony Hamilton 💚🍀 (@polishturnstile) June 24, 2020
“When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become Denis Law”
Matt Busby
— ☯CarlJungleBhoy❋ (@CarlJungleBhoy) June 24, 2020
Some other helpful suggestions, among many hundreds posted today, for Manchester Utd fans to use the next time they want to make a banner with a Sir Matt Busby quotation….
“Whits the goalie daein Tam?” Sir Matt Busby.
“I’m top of the world ma.” Matt Busby.
“I have a dream, team!” Sir Matt Busby.
“Take this all of you & eat of it, this is my body which will be given up for you!” Sir Matt Busby
“Who’s that coming over the hill, is it the taxman?” Sir Matt Busby.
‘Well, here’s another mess you’ve gotten me into!’ Sir Matt Busby
“Your gonna need a bigger boat” Sir Matt Busby
“In Penny Lane there is a barber showing photographs.”. Matt Busby 1967.