Jack Crompton - Manchester United Legend

Jack Crompton was born in the Mancunian district of Chorlton, a week shy of Christmas Day 1921 and would later become a stalwart for Manchester United in the early post-war years, alongside the likes of Jack Rowley, Stan Pearson and Johnny Carey.

He joined Manchester United in 1944 from local works side Gosling, having previoulsy played amateur fottball for Oldham Athletic. He has the distinction of being the first choice goalkeeper for Sir Matt Busby during the Scot's early years at the club. He made his United debut in a 3rd round F.A. Cup tie against Accrington Stanley on 5 January 1946, with the score finishing 2-2.

In 1948 Crompton helped Manchester United lift the F.A. Cup in a 4-2 victory of Lancashire rivals Blackpool. He played a major part in this victory, because with the scores level at 2-2 he pulled off a wonder-save from the marauding Stan Mortensen and then hit a superb long-ball up to Stan Pearson who put United 3-2 up after a nifty finish past Blackpool's goalkeeper Joe Robinson.

Unfortunately the outbreak Second World War meant that he would not make his professional footballing debut until he was 24 years old, but he did manage to go on to make 212 appearances for The Reds in a ten year spell at the club, before joining Luton Town as coach in 1956. After just one year with The Hatters Jack Crompton returned to Old Trafford to help Jimmy Murphy after the Munich Air Disaster.

After his coaching spell with United he dabbled in management with the likes of Barrow and Preston North-End.