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Full Name
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Dennis Viollet
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Date of Birth
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20th
Sept 1933
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Place of Birth
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Manchester
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Position
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Forward
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Height
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5ft 10
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United debut
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11/4/1953
vs Newcastle (A)
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.....
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Viollet's United Record 1952-1962
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Appearances
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Goals
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League
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259
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159
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FA Cup
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18
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5
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League Cup
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2
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1
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Europe
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12
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13
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Total
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291
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178
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Viollet's International Record
1960-1961
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2 Caps for England - 1 Goal
1957 1st Div
League Championship
1956 1st Div
League Championship
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One
of the most prolific goal-scorers in Old Trafford history
Dennis Viollet was a goal scoring machine. Viollet was slim,
perhaps even frail of appearance, but with lightning pace
and top quality control he which could slice through the
best defences like a knife through butter. His appearance
was deceptive and any defence that underestimated him soon
paid the consequences.
He also had the distribution and all round ability to
succeed in deep-lying positions which he did at times for
United and, later in his career with Stoke City. His only
discernible flaw was a lack of aerial ability, however when
playing alongside the likes of Tommy Taylor this was not a
problem.
One of the original Busby Babes that conquered England in
1956 and 57, together with Taylor he formed a lethal
combination. In 1959/60 he really did demonstrate his
quality, firing in 32 goals in 36 League matches, more
strikes in one season campaign than any United player before
or up to the present day. His record still stands and is
unlikely to be beaten, the scale of his great achievement is
that he outscored other greats such as Jack Rowley, Stan
Pearson, Tommy Taylor, Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George
Best.
Born in Manchester, Viollet was a product of the United
youth team whom Busby eyed as a replacement for aging
striker, Stan Pearson. Once an established first team
regular in 1953, Viollet, together with his partner-in-goals
Tommy Taylor, terrorised First Division defences. Viollet
loved the space created by the bustling Taylor who, in turn,
scored off the opportunities fashioned by his cohort.
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The England manager
only selected half of the super United double-act in Tommy
Taylor but if England fans were denied the chance of his
great talents, United supporters faced no such deprivation
in those glorious adventurous pre-Munich days. Anyone who
doubted that Dennis was an outstanding performer in his own
right was soon answered with proof after Tommy was killed
and Dennis made that goal-scoring record. In 1958 he was one
of the players who journeyed to Belgrade for the
quarter-finals of the European Cup, scoring one of the goals
in a 3-3 draw. Viollet escaped the blazing wreckage at
Munich Airport, with injuries which were initially thought
to be career threatening.
By 1962 Busby was creating a new United team and Viollet was
surprisingly transferred to Stoke in January 1962. Later he
went to Irish League Linfield, before completing his
football career in the United States NASL where he later
became a coach. Dennis Viollet died in March 1999 aged 65.
Bobby Charlton said of him "I'm delighted his record has
still not been broken, its the perfect way to remember him".
Viollet was a 1950's Dwight Yorke or Denis Law, a goal
scorer worthy of the great places in Manchester United
history. |
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All pictures in the
profiles can be enlarged by clicking on the smaller version.
Stats do not include friendlies, Charity Shield or World Club tournaments.
Number in brackets ( ) represents appearances as substitute in addition to
starting appearances.
This information is kindly taken from
McCleery's
Manchester United Zone
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