Immortalised in Sir Matt Busby’s 1968 European Cup winning team, Alex Stepney became the bedrock of Manchester United for the next decade. Alex began his career as a teenager with non-league Tooting and Mitcham United before signing professional forms for Millwall. Earning huge plaudits at ‘The Lions’, Alex was spotted by Tommy Docherty who signed him for First Division Chelsea only for Manchester United to pay ‘The Blues’ a world record fee three months later to make him an integral part of the 1967 League winning team.
Playing alongside some of the all-time-greats including Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law, Alex established himself as a superb keeper and earned an England call up to face Sweden a week before the European Cup Final. Over the next ten years, Alex became the ‘experienced head’ in a United side that underwent a roller-coaster of fortune. Winning the League in 1967 the European Cup in 1968, the team entered a downward spiral which culminated in relegation in 1974. However, under the stewardship of Tommy Docherty and with a team of ‘kids’, United bounced back, gained promotion back to the top flight in 1975 and lifted the FA Cup in 1977.
In Tooting Common to the Stretford End Alex Stepney gives the low down on his football career, describes his relationships—some good, some bad—with his managers and reminisces on his friendships with team mates. Alex also details the emotions of winning the League and European Cup trophies and describes his feelings of finally lifting the FA Cup at the twilight of his career after fearing it was a trophy he would never gain.
Playing alongside some of the all-time-greats including Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law, Alex established himself as a superb keeper and earned an England call up to face Sweden a week before the European Cup Final. Over the next ten years, Alex became the ‘experienced head’ in a United side that underwent a roller-coaster of fortune. Winning the League in 1967 the European Cup in 1968, the team entered a downward spiral which culminated in relegation in 1974. However, under the stewardship of Tommy Docherty and with a team of ‘kids’, United bounced back, gained promotion back to the top flight in 1975 and lifted the FA Cup in 1977.
In Tooting Common to the Stretford End Alex Stepney gives the low down on his football career, describes his relationships—some good, some bad—with his managers and reminisces on his friendships with team mates. Alex also details the emotions of winning the League and European Cup trophies and describes his feelings of finally lifting the FA Cup at the twilight of his career after fearing it was a trophy he would never gain.
