The word legend is often overused in sporting terms, but Dennis Viollet of Manchester United was just that. A free scoring forward he found the net 179 times, survived the Munich Air Disaster, and went on to become a trailblazer in the United States where he helped the game reach new levels of prestige and popularity.
In an era when names like Rooney, Ibrahimovic, Giggs, van Persie, and Ronaldo far transcend the sport the Dennis Viollet might not be instantly recognisable unless you are of a certain age, but his achievements and legacy in the sport are one that will live on forever.
Already a back-to-back League Champion with United in ’56 and ’57, Viollet and his ‘Busby Babes’ team mates were going great guns in ‘58 – second in the league and into the semi-finals of the European Cup (Champions League) when the tragic Munich Air Disaster struck. Dennis survived the crash that claimed the lives of the nucleus of the team, and was instrumental in keeping Man United afloat – he actually scored in the semi-final some 64 days after the tragedy.
After 4 more seasons at United he moved to Stoke for five seasons, and then after a season in the United States retired with brief spells at Witton Albion and Linfield in Northern Ireland.
In 1973 however Dennis moved back across to America, where he pioneered the sport of ‘soccer’, guiding it to new levels of popularity. From the grass-roots level, to the professional ranks, Dennis forged a path for many youngsters who dreamed of playing the professional game.
Dennis Viollet – A United Man is directed by Denni’s daughter Rachel Viollet, and inspiringly features interviews with footballing legends; Sir Alex Ferguson, Bryan Robson, Denis Law, Nobby Stiles, Paddy Crerand and more.
You can see a trailer for it below, and for screening times please visit the official website here.