By Ashley Houghton
The mighty Manchester United are to play Nantwich Town to commemorate a special anniversary.
Sir Alex Ferguson will send a team to the Weaver Stadium to mark 60 years since their record-breaking 23-0 victory over the Dabbers in the FA Youth Cup.
Nantwich will take on the Red Devils in a prestigious friendly on Tuesday September 25, kick off 7.30pm.
It was in the inaugural season of the FA Youth Cup that a young Duncan Edwards inspired the Busby Babes to a win that still remains the biggest in the history of the FA Youth Cup.
Edwards had just turned 16 years of age but he netted five times that evening at United’s training ground at The Cliff, Broughton.
David Pegg and John Doherty also scored five times in a United line-up that included Albert Scanlon and Ronnie Cope – names that were to become Old Trafford legends.
Ronnie went on to play for Nantwich in the twilight of his career and now, aged 77, will be Guest of Honour for the match.
His counterpart Frank Stubbs, the Nantwich number 10 who came up against centre-half Cope that night, will also be a Guest of Honour as the pair meet up again 60 years on.
“Everyone at Nantwich Town is delighted that Manchester United are sending a side to mark the occasion,” said Nantwich Town chairman Jon Gold.
“That Youth Cup match 60 years ago lives on in football folklore. Everyone knows that Duncan Edwards was a magical footballer and he clearly led Nantwich a merry dance all those years ago.
“It is great that we can commemorate the match and give the people of South Cheshire a chance to see United’s rising Academy stars of the future.”
Admission to the match is £9 adults, £6 concessions, £2 children. Pay at the turnstiles on the night.
what team will he send out first or reserve cos i support chester (which we lost 4-1 and drew 1-1 at home vs nantwich.