A Generous Gift

Written by The United Religion.

With all of the greed and negativity going in the modern game, Manchester United has yet again set a precedent and shed some beauty on the world’s sport.

Legend: Norbert Styles

United took ownership and purchased several of the items that were being auctioned off by one of their all-time great players, Nobby Stiles.

The combative midfielder’s 45 auctions took in an impressive $669,000, which was in large part to United securing some important items from their past.

Some of the items the club purchased were his 1968 European Cup medal ($78,000), his blue No. 6 shirt from the 4-1 win over Benfica ($48,000), his 1966 World Cup medal ($297,000) and cap ($55,000) from that same final.

In all, United purchased 10 of his 45 auctions for more than $300,000, which is quite commendable act for the cash-strapped club. The value of United’s illustrious history has been marked by the players who help create it, which is why it was vital for them to help preserve it as well.

Stiles donned the United red shirt from 1960 to 1971, and played a vital role in restoring the club from the ashes of the Munich Air Disaster to European prominence just ten years later. His considerable contribution during his 395 games for Manchester United will now, and forever be, on display at the club’s museum at Old Trafford.

These one-of-a-kind artifacts will allow the young fans learn to appreciate the history of one of the most iconic legends. That conquer was the first of the three European Cups that United has gone onto lift, so obtaining that medal was an obvious, correct decision by the club. The toothless midfielder also played a significant part in securing England’s only FIFA World Cup title in 1966 to date as well.

Stiles and Sir Bobby Charlton are the only two British-born Manchester United players to have ever captured both the European Cup and the World Cup. It was very honorable decision by Manchester United to act the way they did, and it goes to prove that they are more than just a football club.