John Aston, Sr.
John Aston, also known as John Aston Sr., ( born September 3, 1921 in Prestwich, † July 31, 2003 in Manchester ) was an English footballer. The used mostly on the left back position and later as a center forward of the World Cup of 1950 was active only for Manchester United and was at the club after his playing career until the 1970s into various functions. His son of the same was also a professional footballer and stood for " United" in the final team that in 1968 won the European Champions Cup.
Sports career
From the age of 15 years, Aston was part of the "Red Devils " from Manchester, after he joined the club in 1937. How many hopefuls was also a native of Prestwich newcomer by the Second World War, a large part of a possible footballers career " stolen "; Instead, Aston served his country in the Middle East in the Royal Marines. The Association of Football League took to season 1946/47, its official operation again and two weeks after his 25th birthday Aston debuted on Matchday against Chelsea, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Had he still been in his debut attention as tricky inside forward, so coach Matt Busby tested it then on the external rotor position before he finally left-back found his master position and there formed an effective partnership in the defense especially with the Irish Johnny Carey - Busby had made a point that his defenders brought in addition to the physical strength, stamina and speed and technical skills with them.
The aligned playful qualities team showed attractive football, albeit with three runner-up still failed to result in 1947-1949 the " big bang " in the league. The greatest success in the second half of the 1940s was winning the FA Cup in 1948, which also includes Aston made a significant contribution. His direct opponent in the final against FC Blackpool was with Stanley Matthews allegedly best English player at that time. Aston Matthews largely neutralized; this managed not to score and United won 4-2 at Wembley. His performance in the cup competition made him interesting for the English national team and so he came on September 26, 1948 goalless draw against Denmark for the first 'A' game. In the following two years, Aston was then even a regular for the " Three Lions ", where he was mostly used on the left-back position and only sporadically - although even preferred by Aston - on the right wing came to the course. He was part of the England squad, in 1950 for the first time took part in a World Cup and was in the side that sensationally lost to a 2-0 opening win against Chile to the USA 0-1. This was the same Astons last appearance at the World Cup finals and his penultimate International Match at all.
Leading the way in further sports development was the middle of the season 1950/51, as Aston at United the injured center-forward Jack Rowley represented and in 22 games scored 15 goals obligation. Although he returned to Rowley's recovery back to the left-back position back, but his place in the national team he had lost with this change, as the then chief operating Walter Winterbottom Astons displeased missing practice as a defender. Not even the fact did not change that Aston with Manchester United on the ancestral items won the English championship in 1952. After a tuberculosis Astons active career ended in 1954 after a total of 282 official matches and 30 goals.
After the active career
The estimated as modest and down to earth Aston remained Manchester United faithful long after his footballer career. He was initially active in the coaching staff of Matt Busby and made after the death of Bert Whalley in the air disaster in Munich as a new youth coaches make a significant contribution to the development of the famous " Busby Babes" of the 1950s and 1960s. Here he experienced in 1968 winning the European Cup of Champion with, in its final his son of the same participated actively. Persistent knee problems made sure that he daily training in the square opposite the function of " chief scouts " eintauschte 1970 at the club.
When Manchester United suddenly maneuvered in the 1972/73 season in danger of relegation, had to Aston - as primarily the then coach Frank O'Farrell - to leave the club. His passion for United but did not lose this in spite of the personal disappointment and talents as classifier short time later he was still active for Luton Town and Birmingham City.
After the retreat from the business of football, he worked with his son in an animal feed business. At the age of 81 years, Aston, which still left two other daughters died.
Achievements / Title
- English Championship: 1952
- English Cup: 1948