Dabbers to welcome Manchester United (From Crewe Guardian)

Dabbers to welcome Manchester United

9:48am Friday 14th September 2012 in News By Matthew Taylor

MANCHESTER United Football Club will play Nantwich Town FC to commemorate 60 years since the Busby Babes thrashed the Dabbers 23-0.

The world famous club has agreed to send a side to the Weaver Stadium to mark their record-breaking victory in 1952.

Nantwich will take on a Red Devils academy side at 7.30pm on Tuesday, September 25.

The late Duncan Edwards, who died following the 1958 Munich Air Disaster, inspired Sir Matt Busby’s fresh faced side to their double figures demolition of the Dabbers.

Edwards, then 16-years-old, netted five times during the 2nd round FA Youth Cup match at United’s old training ground, The Cliff, in Broughton.

Albert Scanlon and Ronnie Cope also played in the game, which was originally due to be played at Nantwich, until Sir Matt Busby offered £50 for a switch to the Cliff.

United lent the Dabbers fluorescent yellow shirts on the night, so their players would show up under rudimentary floodlights.

Ronnie, now 77, will be the guest of honour at the match, along with Frank Stubbs – the Nantwich number 10 during the game.

Nantwich chairman, Jon Gold, said: “Everyone at Nantwich Town is delighted that Manchester United are sending a side to mark the occasion.

“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.”

Match details: Nantwich Town v Manchester United Academy XI, Tuesday September 25. Kick Off 7.30pm at the Weaver Stadium, Nantwich. CW5 5BS.

Admission to the match is £9 adults, £6 concessions, £2 children. Pay on the turnstiles on the night.