Description

Alex Stepney Autographed Goalkeeper signed glove Manchester United

Authentic Alex Stepney Autographed Goalkeeper signed glove Manchester United. Signed in black marker pen obtained March 2021.

Alexander Cyril Stepney (born 18 September 1942) is an English former footballer who as Manchester United’s goalkeeper; when they became the first English club to win the European Cup.

Born in Mitcham, Surrey, Stepney had unsuccessful trials with Fulham and joined Tooting & Mitcham United. From there, spotted by Millwall, who signed him as an amateur in 1963; but quickly realised his potential and made him a professional within two months of his arrival. Stepney was ever-present for almost three seasons, making 158 appearances, only missing the last game of the 1965–66 season. During this period, he earned three England under-23 caps.

In May 1966, Stepney joined Chelsea for £50,000. Manager Tommy Docherty initially intended to play Stepney signed and fellow goalkeeper Peter Bonetti in alternate weeks; but just three months later Stepney was sold to Manchester United for a record fee of £55,000, having made just one appearance for the club. With Harry Gregg’s career virtually ended by injury, the Manchester United manager; Matt Busby, opted for Stepney after deciding that neither Pat Dunne nor the injury-prone David Gaskell was up to the job. Stepney made his debut for United later the same year against Manchester City at Old Trafford, and he kept a clean sheet as United won 1–0 through a first-half goal from Denis Law.

Wembley
Stepney the only player with any Wembley experience at club level at all when United reached the 1976 FA Cup Final and the nerves of the youngsters got the better of them as Southampton; a division below United but containing some experienced heads of Alex Stepney’s autographs generation, won 1–0. Stepney had no chance with the goal from Bobby Stokes; a late, low, crossfield shot which United claimed fruitlessly from an offside position.

Stepney was the only player in the 1977 FA Cup winning team remaining from the European Cup winning side of nine years earlier. Stepney was also the last remaining player to play for the club under manager Sir Matt Busby.