A small group of Hibernians FC old-timers yesterday rekindled memories of their famous 1967 European Cup encounter with Manchester United in an impromptu reunion at the Manchester United Supporters’ Club (MUSC) in Sta Venera.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Hibs veterans Victor Cassar, Alfred Mizzi, Freddy Delia, Saviour Gatt, Ċikku Mifsud and Alfred Mallia to meet former United goalkeeper Alex Stepney and winger John Aston as the two European Cup winners were present for the launch of the commemorative publication ‘Malta to Wembley’.
“Going past the Empire Stadium, I noticed root crops protruding from the ground, don’t tell me that they’re going to re-open it?” Stepney jokingly asked.
“I never played on a pitch like that... at least not since my school days,” he added.
Mifsud, at the time a 17-year-old Hibs lad, pointed out that “one vivid image that has stuck in my mind was seeing the United players dashing to the dressing rooms after the final whistle. At a distance of almost 50 years I would like to ask why?”
“Well, it was not a good result (0-0) for United, wasn’t it!” Aston responded.
‘Malta to Wembley’ is the work of Joe Glanville, a lifelong Manchester United supporter and former MUSC president.
It is a compilation of newspaper cuttings and pictures of memorabilia related to Manchester United’s first European Cup success in season 1967-68 when the team was under manager Matt Busby.
The bulk of the material has been drawn from Glanville’s personal collection as he finally concluded a project that took almost two years to complete.
“I want to publicly thank Simon Poulton for his contribution after scanning all the stuff we had in a professional way while we were compiling this book,” Glanville told reporters yesterday.
“I would also like to show my appreciation to Dr Victor Calvagna (of Puttinu Cares) for giving me this opportunity to raise funds for those in need.
“So far, we’ve collected €40,000 through sponsorships but with the sale of this book we want to hit the €70,000 mark.”
Aston also had words of praise for the publication after sifting through it and discussing a few moments depicted in Glanville’s collection with those present for the launch.
“Really, I have never seen a book like this... it’s so interesting,” he said.
“You, people of Malta should be proud of this publication.”
MUSC president Joseph Te-desco described ‘Malta to Wembley’ as a masterpiece and said it has been a sell-out so far.
“The book is being sold at a reduced price of €50 thanks to sponsors like Progress Press and Kasco who have offset the costs,” he said.
“We hope to be in a position to sell more copies at the Puttinu Cares marathon this weekend.”
Manchester Evening News sports journalist David Meek, who has covered Manchester United ever since the Red Devils’ first post-Munich air crash match against Sheffield Wednesday in 1958, lauded Glanville for his initiative.
“This is a smashing book,” he said.
“Indeed, going through these newspaper cuttings of the Hibernians vs Manchester United game at the old Gżira stadium evokes special memories.”
In Malta, Stepney and Aston are accompanied by Alan Wardle, secretary of the Association Of Former Manchester United Players.