Latest - We are delighted to announce that the Saints Foundation has generously agreed to sponsor our annual dinner.
As in previous years in addition to our guest speakers there will be a three course meal, an auction with some special items and some games. For the 2010 annual dinner, all the proceeds will go towards fitting out the new clubhouse with furniture, an audio visual system, a new kitchen and a bar so we need your support more than ever. Every year the event has been a sell out so please get the date in your diary and get together with other parents in your age group and book a table for what will be a great night. We have kept the price of tickets at £55 each, (£5 lower than 2 years ago). For further information and to book your place / table please contact
Graham Howland (graham.howland@ascotunited.net) or
Emma Dunbar (emma.dunbar@ascotunited.net) Our very special guests Wilf McGuinness and Norman Whiteside will need little introduction to football fans and their playing and management contribution to the English (and Norther Irish) game spans four decades. Wilf McGuinness
Capped only twice as a Wing Half by England (at full international level) and only playing 81 games for Manchester United before serious injury forced retirement in 1959> As one of the 'Busby Babes' Wilf only missed the ill-fated European Cup tie in Belrade that was to lead to the Muinch Air disaster for the returning United team as a result of being injured. Following retirement, McGuinness trained as a coach and was part of Sir Alf Ramsey's team at Lilleshall in preparation for the 1966 World Cup. The name Wilf McGuinness is also synomous with the turbulent era following the initial retirement of Sir Matt Busby at the end the '68-'69 season when he stepped into the great man's shoes from Reserve team manager - despite finshing 8th in the league that season, the pressure for success after the European Cup victoy in 1968 forced a change and McGuinees moved back to manage the reserve team, continuing his long and proud association with the Red Devils. Having Wilf speak at the AUFC dinner is a real honour and we look forward to hearing tales covering many decades of English football. Norman Whiteside
Equally, Norman Whiteside also needs little introduction and other than eclisping Pele's record as the youngest player to grace the World Cup (at that time) when he appeared in 1982 for Northern Ireland aged just over 17, Whiteside is also remembered as the combative United striker who went on to hold the record as the youngest player to have scored in a FA cup final the following year when Man Utd overcame Brighton & Hove albion in a replay, and scoring one of the all time great FA Cup goals in the defeat over Everton in the same competition 2 years later. Whiteside's big frame is etched in the memories of all fans who put club loyalties aside for showpieces like cup final day ang the World Cup finals and whilst he too had his career cut short through injury, his continued involvement in the game as a foot injury specialist with the FA maintans his contribution to the beautiful game. |
