Top quotes on Dennis Viollet

A man synonymous with the famous ‘Busby Babes’ team of the ‘50s, Viollet was one of the greatest players to play for the Manchester United football team. Admired by players and colleagues alike, we take a look at some of the top quotes on Dennis Viollet.

Born in the city of Manchester, Viollet had a prolific time at the team with 159 league goals in 259 matches.

His time after his United days was spent mostly in the United States managing and coaching various teams in the North American league. Teaming up with another legendary striker Tommy Taylor, he was one of the catalysts to United winning two championship titles in succession. It was a surprise when the 28-year old was sold to Stoke City after a record of 178 goals. 

A survivor of the Munich air disaster in 1958, Viollet was also one of the main factors in United qualifying for the European Cup competition, and in one of the games Dennis pocketed four goals in a 10-0 win. He still holds the record for the most league goals in a season for the club. Another one of the finest players of the era to have represented England in just a few games, in this case two!

Known for being a fast-footed footballer, he adopted his home in the USA where he passed away in 1999. He is still well remembered at Old Trafford amongst the legends of the club.

“He was a quiet, courteous man on the field.”     John Doherty

“Dennis Viollet was vastly underrated.”     Tom Finney

“Dennis Viollet, Manchester United’s quick and clever inside-forward.”     Norman Giller

“…..he could control that heavy ball and dribble like Stanley Matthews.”     Eddie Sparrow

“He had such a graceful style and dribbling artistry.”     Jimmy Murphy

“Viollet was simply methodical in all that he did.”     Alf Clarke

“What really struck me about him was his manners, and very quiet nature.”     Bernard Bull

“…..played alongside Dennis in army matches, even at that time I considered him a class inside forward.”     Colin Webster

“…..always room for a player of Dennis Viollet’s calibre at any club.”     Bill Foulkes

“Dennis was a superbly gifted player…..There is no player around like him now though.”     Stanley Matthews

“Dennis would always find time to come over and talk to me…..His manners with people were impeccable.”     Alan Wallace

“As a player he was brilliant, really wonderful.”     Ken Barnes

“Dennis was just simply brilliant, you could play him in any position.”     John Doherty

“…..he displayed an incredible inner strength. He was a fine player and a fine person.”     David Meek

“…..then came Dennis Viollet another wonderful player.”     Tom Finney

“Dennis still stood out as one of the best players.”     Neville Southwood

“…..Dennis Viollet was like a ghost with cannonballs in his shooting boots!”     Jimmy Murphy

“He was like a master locksmith or a cat burglar.”     Frank Beacher

“Dennis Viollet was a magnificent inside forward, world class in my opinion.”     Bernard Bull

“Dennis was a remarkable player, a goalscorer supreme…..A pure footballer!”     Tom Finney

“…..one of the most underrated footballers in the club’s history.”     Bill Foulkes

“…..in all my years of playing football, did I come across such a quick-thinking player…..He was a truly magnificent player.”     Stanley Matthews