In memory of Bert

Former Stalybridge Celtic and Manchester United player Bert Whalley has been commemorated with his very own  PFA plaque at Bower Fold.

Former Stalybridge Celtic and Manchester United player Bert Whalley has been commemorated with a PFA plaque at Bower Fold.

Ahead of Celtic’s pre-season friendly against United’s Under 23s on Tuesday night, fans and past players, including former United captain Bryan Robson, attended the plaque unveiling to remember Whalley, who died in the Munich air disaster in 1958 at the age of 44.

The Ashton born defender, who played for Celtic before moving to United in 1934, worked with Sir Matt Busby as a coach to train the talented young Reds side.

Those who attended the fixture were treated to a goal fest, with United’s youngsters cruising to a 5-1 victory in the pouring rain.

The visitors took the lead in the 17th minute through Zidane Igbal. The midfielder hit an effort into the bottom right corner, leaving goalkeeper Grant Shenton with no chance.

United took the lead into the half-time break and were made to wait until the 61st minute to add a second. Dillon Hoogewerf and Charlie McNeill exchanged passes, before the former hit an effort into the back of the net.

And less than three minutes later United were three goals up - again through Hoogewerf.

The hosts did manage to reduce the arrears four minutes later, as Scott Bakkor took advantage of a loose ball from a free-kick, composed himself and fired low past the visitors’ ‘keeper.

But in the 79th minute United added a fourth through Alejandro Garnacho, before adding gloss to the scoreline with a fifth just three minutes later through Noam Emeran.

Pictures by Nigel Wood