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munich58.co.ukIn memory of those who died in the munich air crash in February 1958 |
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munich58.co.ukIn memory of those who died in the munich air crash in February 1958 |
A biography by Roy Cavanagh & Brian Hughes MBE
December 2001
Dennis Viollet led a life of contradictions. By common consent he reached his footballing peak during the pre-Munich Busby Babes period, but the achievement for which he is best remembered - setting a still unbroken record of 32 league goals in a season for Manchester United - came after the life changing event which claimed the lives of his closest friends.
Meanwhile, his derisory reward of two England caps also came in the years following Munich following the death of his great strike-partner Tommy Taylor.
Moreover in the years that followed Munich Dennis was given more responsibility at United, just as his reputation as a socialiser and womaniser reached its peak. His responsibilities included the fight for the abolition of a maximum wage which saw United’s greatest ever goalscorer on £20 per week.
A year later, in 1961, his hectic social life was blamed for his unceremonious transfer by Busby as the United manager decided on a fresh approach which ironically included Dennis’s schoolfriend David Herd.
Rather than dwell on his misfortune however, Dennis embarked on a rejuvenated career alongside Sir Stanley Matthews, Jimmy McIroy and Roy Vernon at Stoke City from whom he received an overdue testimonial in 1967 (something Manchester United had never considered, despite his 13-year career at Old Trafford).
In later life Dennis became ‘coach Viollet’, one of the first British footballers to move Stateside in the early 70s, making Jacksonville, Florida his adopted home. However in 1997, following an emotional return to Munich with the other survivors, Dennis was diagnosed with a brain tumour under the same scars inflicted during the air crash. He died in March 1999 - he was 66 years old.
More than any statistical record, Dennis’s life spoke volumes for a gentleman footballer who knew triumph and tragedy, yet met both imposters just the same. His story is filled not only with feats of footballing achievement but with the Viollet hallmark ‘dignity and class’. He remains one of the unsung heroes of Manchester United and England.
Includes over 50 historic photographs
ISBN 1 901 746 25 9
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