Man Utd fans to unveil new Sir Matt Busby banner for 2021-22

A new banner will adorn Old Trafford’s East Stand this season, with Stretford End Flags commissioning a piece of artwork dedicated to former Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby.

The fan group are well known to those who frequent the Theatre of Dreams on a regular basis, and have been responsible for many of the stadium’s banners and flags in recent years.

“It’s something I’ve been involved in since 2005. Back then, there wasn’t a group who were doing the flags, it was a group of individuals,” explained co-founder, Andrew Kilduff, 45, a season ticket holder who has attended matches since 1984.

“Some of those banners came down when the new owners came [in 2005] and a few went to FC United. So a group of us from various fanzine forums decided to come together and put something up that was visible, which fans can contribute to and have ideas on what gets made, and support it financially.

“We wanted to make it more themed and structured rather than just opening up a tier or letting anyone put a flag up. Initially, when it started, we only had flags on the Stretford End, but now we’ve got flags all over the stadium.”

Players and legends who could feature in new banners

Saturday’s Premier League clash with rivals Leeds United will be a poignant affair at Old Trafford, with the stadium hosting a full crowd for the first time since March 2020.

Andrew is hoping to get Stretford End Flags’ latest banner finished in time for the 2021/22 opener and the group are still looking for donations to fund this project and any future designs.

“We have a plan in place for the start of the season to completely fill the length of the East Stand with a Sir Matt Busby-inspired quote: “’It's glory and honour,’ the great man, he said. ‘There's nothing on earth like being a red’,” Andrew explained.

“We are currently seeking donations to help fund that. It should cost around £3,000 to have made, so if anyone wants to go on the Stretford End Flags Twitter or Facebook pages you’ll see how you can donate.

“We’re possibly doing a banner for Sir Bobby Charlton and one for Marcus Rashford [later in the season], and we’re up for anyone who has a design,” he continued.

“We’ll collect maybe five or six designs and then put them out to a fans’ vote to see which one gets made.”

Busby banner: key facts

The Busby banner is 71 metres long and will be split into two sections due to a TV gantry located in the middle of the stand.

Sir Matt managed United between 1945-1969 and returned briefly for the second half of the 1970/71 season. During his time as manager, he oversaw the creation of the fabled ‘Busby Babes’ side, recovered from the tragedy of the Munich Air Disaster and led the club to a first European Cup in 1968, as well winning five league titles and two FA Cups.

The banner depicting the United legend will be made by Barmy Flags, who are based in Chadderton. “They print a fully stitched flag and the quality is very good,” said Andrew.

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“We can get them made cheaper if they were vinyl, but they don’t look as good in the stadium; the way the light shines off them and the wear and tear over time. The Sir Matt Busby one has a specific design with a picture of him and then a European Cup. That’s all hand-cut and sewed on a sowing machine to make a stitched effect.”

Andrew’s favourite banners from over the years:

• The Flowers of Manchester - dedicated to those who sadly lost their lives in the Munich Air Disaster.
• Sir Alex Ferguson - initially created to celebrate 25 years as manager, the design was later updated to mark all of his trophy successes at the club.
• Fear - Andrew’s personal favourite and based on Ian Brown’s hit song. Ian is friends with Andrew and loves the design.
• One Love - Another Stone Roses inspired piece.

As well as commissioning banners, Stretford End Flags ensure all artwork is maintained, remains in the ground and is not replaced by advertisements.

The group have also worked with the club in an attempt to boost the atmosphere inside Old Trafford, and played a role in the creation of a chanting section in the ground and the implementation of the new rail seats.

Stretford End Flags are accepting donations for their latest banner and all future artwork.

Let us know your favourite flag over the years by emailing [email protected]