The wife of Harry Gregg has spoken of her pride after the legendary Manchester United goalkeeper was inducted into the Ardtalla Wealth Management Dr. Malcolm Brodie Hall of Fame.
The Northern Ireland football icon - who died last year at the age of 87 - played 247 games over nine seasons at Old Trafford, surviving the 1958 Munich Air Disaster that claimed the lives of 23 people, including eight of Gregg’s teammates.
The Coleraine man is often referred to as the Hero of Munich, as he pulled several survivors from the wreckage including his manager Sir Matt Busby.
Later that same year, Gregg helped Northern Ireland reach the quarter-finals of the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, where he was named Best Goalkeeper by FIFA.
Harry’s wife Carolyn said she was "very humbled" that her husband had been recognised by the NI Football Awards.
"If he was here, he would simply say 'thank you'," Carolyn said.
“He would be very humble too. He always was. I and my family have been touched by the response from people, from the attendance at the funeral to receiving this award.
“It has been very hard but I think somehow the support I've had from everybody, from Manchester United to people on the streets and in the shops has helped me come to terms with Harry's passing.
“Harry was always very proud of being from Coleraine, from Northern Ireland. He would always refer to himself as Henry Gregg, Windsor Avenue, Coleraine.”
Harry’s son John Gregg – a former Irish League player and respected coach – added: “We're delighted to see Dad get this award. I know he was close to a number of pressmen so this award is very fitting and we are grateful to the Northern Ireland Football Awards panel for the award.
“Dad loved football, whether it was playing for Manchester United and Northern Ireland or coaching at United, Shrewsbury, Swansea, Crewe and Carlisle, he just loved the game.”
Daughter Jane Gregg said: “It's such a wonderful honour and I know Dad would have been very humbled. I'm very proud of Dad and want to thank everyone involved in honouring him.
“He was a very special human being, and we miss him every day.”
The Premier Wealth Management Dr Malcolm Brodie Hall of Fame award is part of the annual NI Football Awards.
The awards are organised by the Northern Ireland Football Writers’ Association and the Northern Ireland Football League.
