It is one of the more extraordinary anecdotes from a chat I had recently with Mike Carey, 84-year-old son of legendary former Manchester United skipper Johnny Carey. "The big memory for me is when they won the FA Cup in 1948," said Carey. When they had finished in Albert Square, they gave my dad the trophy.
Imagine finding the FA Cup under your parents' bed.
It is one of the more extraordinary anecdotes from a chat I had recently with Mike Carey, 84-year-old son of legendary former Manchester United skipper Johnny Carey.
That 1948 triumph was a crucial part of the club's rebuilding process under Matt Busby after the War.
It was clearly a different era, far removed from the glamour – and huge wealth – enjoyed by today's topflight stars.
Even as captain – and a well known international, Carey was as down to earth as you could get.
"The big memory for me is when they won the FA Cup in 1948," said Carey.
"I would be about eight. My uncle took me down to watch the parade. When they had finished in Albert Square, they gave my dad the trophy.
"We ended up with it in the trunk at home under the bed.
"My mates didn't know it was such a big deal and as far as I was concerned, he was just my dad."
The FA Cup trophy wasn't the only bit of memorabilia from the final in the Carey household. The match ball, signed by both teams, was also in there as well.
Sadly, Mike didn't understand the significance.
He explained: "I knew it was there; signed by all the players, but my brother wanted to use it, so I got the ball out of the wardrobe. We kicked it around in the garden and all the names disappeared.
"You would think dad would be pretty mad, but he was OK. To him it was just another ball."
Category: General Sports
