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Legends join Hall of Fame

TWO United legends, and a man who starred for both Manchester clubs, will be among this year's newcomers to football's Hall of Fame.

The '80s hero Mark Hughes, '60s battler Nobby Stiles and the immortal Billy Meredith have been named among the seven footballers, one manager and two women players to be named at a special ceremony to be held at Old Trafford on November 15.

Hughes, now the Blackburn manager, played 470 games for the Reds in two spells, scoring 162 goals - and he won the hearts of United fans everywhere with his fierce, combative style and knackfor scoring spectacular goals, often in vital situations.

Sir Alex Ferguson, who is one of the judges for the award, says of Hughes: "He is the best big-game player I have ever known".

Collyhurst-born Stiles endeared himself to the nation in 1966 by dancing around the Wembley pitch with the World Cup, flashing his toothless grin for all to see. And two years later he hit the peak of a great United career by helping to mastermind the European Cup win.

Sir Bobby Charlton, already a resident, said: "Nobby richly deserves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Nobby and I have the honour of being the only Englishmen so far to have won both the World Cup and the European Cup.

"Nobby was given the job of marking Eusebio in the World Cup semi-final in 1966. He handled it brilliantly and it was a big factor in us winning the game and going on to the final".

Billy Meredith was perhaps football's first superstar. After helping City to win two Second Division championships and the FA Cup in 1904, he was caught up in an alleged bribery scandal and after being suspended by his club, left to join United for a 15-year spell that spanned World War One. He later returned to City to finish his career, playing his last game just before his 50th birthday in 1924

Chairman

More importantly, he was the first chairman of the players' union. Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers Association said: "I am particularly pleased to see recognition being given to Billy , during the PFA Centenary Year".

The other inductees include a man who also played for both Manchester clubs, former England star Peter Beardsley. The Geordie striker came to Old Trafford as a young trialist from Vancouver Whitecaps and turned out against Bournemouth in 1982.

He was discarded by the Reds but enjoyed a brilliant career with Newcastle and Liverpool before turning out for Bolton and on loan at City later in his career.

The rest of the list is made up of Arsenal ace Dennis Bergkamp, Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle, Liverpool star Graeme Souness, former England boss Terry Venables and women players Karen Walker and Joan Whalley, with Bergkamp the only possible absentee from the gala dinner.

The judging panel also included Jimmy Greaves, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Mark Lawrenson and Gordon Taylor.

The evening, for which tickets will be £150 a head, will also see the world's oldest football club Sheffield FC honoured in their 150th anniversary season.

For further details, including ticket information, visit www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame.htm.

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Brilliant both players Hughes was a modern day legend a scorer of great goals a list to long to mention what about his goal against or the one at, like I said to long to mention. Nobby Sir Alf Ramsey once said a World great and he was right Nobby went through a period in the mid sixties when nothing went past him ball or player , and what a modest man I have met him many times in the sixties through to the present day when I tell him he was my hero in a United shirt he just smiles. When I tell him my old School Corpus Christi had a better football team than his old school Saint Pats he laughs his head off . Two players who can wear the title GREAT players.

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Sparky! Absolutely fantastic goals;sometimes in dire situations.No one better at recieving the ball with his back to goal.One of the few strong enough to cope with Vinnie Jones!
It was my privelige to meet Nobby at Prestatyn Cricket Club a few years back.He's a real down to earth guy.He shook my hand said,"Y'alright son!" and then spoke to me as if he'd been my best friend for years.I've met him just the once but I'll never forget it.He is a modest but great man.

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mark hughes without doubt an all time great a real warrior and he would fit into this side perfectly.

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Not only a legend for Utd but a fantastic Wales manager. The night Wales beat Italy at the Millenium will never be forgotten

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George, your experience meeting Nobby Stiles does not surprise me.

Of the three Man U players' autobiographies I have read in recent years - Nobby's, Denis Law's and Keano's - I most enjoyed his. He comes across just as you describe him.

PS Has anyone read Daniel Taylor's recent book on Sir Alex and if so, would you recommend it?

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