Manchester United is set to award a posthumous league winners’ medal to Harry McShane, who passed away at the age of 92 in 2012. McShane played for United between 1950 and 1954, scoring eight goals in 57 games. He also played for Blackburn, Huddersfield, Bolton and Oldham. However, McShane missed out on a winners’ medal when United won the Football League First Division title in 1952 as he fell short of appearance regulations by just two matches. But there is now good news for his family, with Man Utd successfully appealing to the EFL to grant McShane his medal. Current regulations mean former stars can be recognised if they played just five times.
McShane’s Hollywood superstar son Ian, best known for his award-winning role on hit show Deadwood, will collect the award on his behalf in front of 75,000 fans at a Premier League game next season. Ian has also featured in Tinseltown box-office successes like Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean and John Wick.
The ceremony will also honour 20 former players who are owed a total of 23 medals. Eight of them are still alive, with the likes of David Gaskell and Steve Coppell set to attend the event. The full list of medal winners to be awarded is as follows:
– 1952 first division champions: Harry McShane, Jack Crompton, Frank Clempson.
– 1956 first division champions: Fred Goodwin, Albert Scanlon.
– 1957 first division champions: Geoff Bent, Fred Goodwin, Colin Webster, Albert Scanlon.
– 1965 first division champions: David Sadler, David Gaskell, Maurice Setters.
– 1967 first division champions: Shay Brennan, John Connolly, David Gaskell, Jimmy Ryan.
– 1975 second division champions: Tony Young, Jim Holton, Steve James, Arnie Sidebottom, Steve Coppell, Mick Martin, Ron Davies.
It is heartening to see Manchester United honouring its former players in this way. It is a fitting tribute to their contribution to the club’s success and a reminder of the rich history of one of the world’s most famous football clubs.