Wayne Barton

AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW''Wayne Barton’s knowledge on Manchester United is unparalleled'' - The MirrorThis compelling and moving story of Manchester United’s rejuvenation after the Munich Air Crash revisits an era that is fundamental to the club’s place in the modern game. The 1958 Munich Air Crash that ripped the heart from one of Britain’s greatest ever teams. In this book, Wayne Barton, author of 20 Manchester United titles, has produced a forensic account of how those post-tragedy years forged the character of one of the world’s biggest clubs. Barton focuses on the five years immediately after the tragedy, how the shattered ambitions of the club were revived and rejuvenated by recovering manager Matt Busby and his assistant Murphy. The engrossing story is told through in-depth research and exclusive interviews with many players from the era. They include Harry Gregg, Jackie Blanchflower, Bill Foulkes and Albert Scanlon, who all survived the crash; Albert Quixall, David Herd, Pat Crerand, Wilf McGuinness and others who became stars of the rebuilt team; and supporters and back room staff who witnessed an extraordinary period at the club.The scars of that fateful night will never fade, but in its aftermath a spirit of resolve, a belief in homegrown players and a never-say-die attitude developed and became essential elements of Manchester United’s DNA.

'Remember me for the football' was George Best's last wish before his untimely death, aged just 59. 'True Genius' is the definitive family-backed account of his remarkable career, now to be released in paperback, 20 years on from George Best's death. Written by celebrated Manchester United author Wayne Barton, this biography goes into unparalleled depth to tell the complete story for the first time of how the lad from Cregagh, Northern Ireland, became the game's first superstar. Barton has spent years trawling the archives and spoken to a host of former team-mates, managers, friends and close family to tell his story, going behind the scenes and researching matches and official records in microscopic detail. While there have been many books on George Best, this is the only biography that captures the football story so exhaustively, unearthing revealing material that will shed new light on one of the game's most naturally gifted players. Supplemented with rare and unseen images painstakingly researched and restored from the Daily Mirror, this is the ultimate portrait of a true football genius. True Genius was adapted into a documentary by BT Sport, to coincide with the hardback release in 2021.

This updated, family authorised biography of Manchester United hero Jimmy Murphy, new to paperback, celebrates the career of the man who managed the club after the Munich air disaster and took charge of Wales at the 1958 World Cup. Alongside Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson, nobody in the long history of Manchester United is as important as Jimmy Murphy. As legendary Manchester United manager Busby lay in an oxygen tent in his hospital bed, recovering from the horror of the Munich plane crash, he clutched the friend of his close friend and faithful right-hand-man Murphy. Murphy stepped into Busby’s shoes and answered United’s call in their hour of need. More than that, he provided the spark which would see a phoenix spectacularly rise from the flames. Murphy would be at Busby’s side as the club famously conquered England and Europe, driven by a new generation of Babes. Murphy would remain United’s assistant manager up to 1971, going on to become a club scout, unearthing and recruiting famous talents like Gordon Hill and Steve Coppell. In his other role as Wales’ football manager, he would mastermind his country’s appearance in the World Cup finals – taking Wales to the brink of the semi-finals in 1958. The Man Who Kept The Red Flag Flying has been written in full cooperation with Murphy’s family, with unique insight from sons Nick and Jimmy Junior. It features contributions and comments from Sir Alex Ferguson, George Best, Tommy Docherty and Ron Atkinson, among many, and rare excerpts from the Daily Mirror and Manchester Evening News archives.

The world’s biggest football club comes under scrutiny like no other sporting institution on earth. Yet how did Manchester United become the global behemoth it is? And how and why did Matt Busby take the club to the summit of the game - and build an empire that lasted for decade? ootball, Taught By Matt Busby delves into the DNA of Manchester United, the world’s most famous football club, exploring the identity and philosophy of the team from its beginnings in Newton Heath to its global prominence today. At a time when the club’s identity has been questioned following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, Wayne Barton seeks to unravel the core principles that have shaped the club’s success over decades, through research spanning over a decade, and interviews with key figures associated with the club. Drawing on never-before-heard interviews with Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson, as well as conversations with over one hundred former players, managers, coaches, and officials, this book is the definitive study of Manchester United’s playing style and heritage. For the first time, the intricate details of the club’s football philosophy are connected, from the Busby era to Ferguson’s reign, and beyond. This book is set to become a vital reference point for fans, historians, and coaches alike.