Viollet

Product Description

A legendary goalscorer & Busby Babe Dennis Viollets career took in tragedy & triumph in equal measure. As a player he thrilled thousands as an outstanding teenage footballer with Manchester Uniteds all-conquering Babes developing an almost telepathic understanding with fellow striker Tommy Taylor. Later after surviving the Munich air disaster Viollet broke Manchester Uniteds record for goals in a season -- a mark he still holds despite the attempts of Van Nistlerooy Law Cantona Hughes & Cole. Along with Wilf Mc Guinness Dennis campaigned for the abolition of the maximum wage which saw Uniteds greatest ever goal-poacher on wages of GBP20 per week. But by 1961 Dennis was mysteriously transferred from Old Trafford without a word from Matt Busby the club or a good luck farewell from fans -- United even denied the goalscoring legend a testimonial. Rather than dwell on his misfortune however Dennis began a second career at Stoke City alongside Sir Stanley Matthews. There he helped the Potters win promotion back to Division One & once he hung his boots up in 1967 received the testimonial he should have received in Manchester. In the second half of his life Dennis became Coach Viollet a respected member of the British coaching establishment in the United States. But in 1998 Dennis fell ill & died after a painful illness in his adopted home of Florida in March 1999. A gentleman footballer from a bygone age Dennis was a loveable rogue a charmer in turn of both the opposite sex & opposing defences: Dennis didnt so much bludgeon opposing defenders as pick their pockets. In this respect he was ahead of his time a Manchester lad with the brains style & skills of a continental forward.