Manchester United European Cup Kings 1968 - Signed by Bill Foulkes

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It took 12 years from 1956-1968 for Matt Busby to finally capture the "Holy Grail" of the European Champions Cup. Had the Busby Babes not been destroyed at Munich the wait would surely have been a lot shorter. However the great team of 1968 featuring the mighty talents of Charlton, Law and Best would end that wait on a glorious summer night at Wembley. The game had an added significance as United had not won the championship that year and the team was getting on in years. This was seen by many as Busby's last chance to fulfil his ambition. Sadly, United had star striker Denis Law missing on the night with injury. The great Benfica side were a team as feared as Juventus or Real Madrid are today and possessed a forward who is now one of the all-time footballing legends, Eusebio.

Throughout the British Isles there was great support for United from neutral and even rival fans, it was a time when jealousy and bitterness were not evident in football, compared to today. 100,000 fans packed Wembley on a searingly hot and humid May Night. As both United and Benfica wore red as a first choice kit, on the night United played in an all blue away kit. Busby played United in a 4-3-3 formation: Best, Kidd and Aston up front, Charlton, Sadler and Crerand in midfield and Foulkes, Brennan, Dunne and Stiles at the back.

Benfica's main plan was to close down George Best, who had destroyed them with a hat-trick two years earlier in Lisbon. However by concentrating on him they left Bobby Charlton with a free reign. Nobby Stiles' role was to man-mark Eusebio, a role he did with great effectiveness. After an uninspiring goal-less 1st half, United took the lead in the 2nd half with a goal produced with the combined efforts of Sadler, Dunne and Charlton. After receiving a cross from Sadler, Charlton deftly headed the ball past Henrique and into the top hand corner of the net. United took the initiative with Aston and Best putting Benfica on the backfoot.

With just 10 minutes left however, United were tired and ragged. Benfica's late pressure paid off as Torres headed cross to the feet of Graca who scored. In a dramatic ending United nearly lost the game when the great Eusebio broke away free from Stiles, with only the keeper Stepney to beat. Stepney remembered that Eusebio would want to blast his shot gloriously into the net and refused to go to ground. Eusebio did just as expected and Stepney saved as the ball went straight into his chest. Eusebio turned and patted Stepney on the shoulder as an acknowledgement of the great save. It was a decisive turning point in the game, one which ultimately cost Benfica dearly.

The full time whistle went and Busby tried to rally his tired United troops. Two minutes into extra time saw United gain the lead again with a fantastic goal by George Best. Best won the ball and beat round the Benfica keeper Henrique before slotting in it, as the defenders raced back. He later said he wanted to take the ball up to the line, stop, lie down and nod it over the line with his head but the defenders got back to quickly so he couldn't risk it! Another minute and another goal, this time headed in pinball like by Brian Kidd. This goal, on his 19th Birthday was the best present he could ever have hoped for. Then the master, Bobby Charlton connected with Kidd's cross to flick the ball home with a final flourish and hammer home a 4-1 victory.

The game was one of the most emotional nights of British Football and no doubt the survivors of the Munich disaster were thinking of those who were denied the chance to revel in such a glorious victory. Captain Bobby Charlton lifted the cup and the whole of Britain celebrated as United became the first English club to win the European Cup and Matt Busby had finally achieved his lifetime's ambition. Manchester United were the kings of Europe at last.

Personally signed

Each copy of Manchester United European Cup Kings 1968 was personally signed by Bill Foulkes at a signing session completed on Thursday 26th October 2006.

Strictly Limited Edition

Only 500 hand-numbered copies of this print will ever be produced. Once they have sold, no more will ever be produced.

Authenticity Guaranteed

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