Carling Pub Football Manager of the Year 2008: Matt Busby!

Interesting press release through this morning. I like it.

It’s the 1980s and you’re a Manchester United supporter named Mr. Busby.

Your missus is pregnant and you begin to talk about the possible names for said sprog.

No contest, really, is there?

25-year-old Matt Busby, from Leicestershire, has been named Carling Pub Football Manager of the Year 2008 for his successful debut year as manager of the mighty Enderby Social FC.

The Carling Pub Football Awards celebrates the massive community of amateur footballers in the UK.

Backed up by the One - All online community, Carling aims to recognise the overlooked achievement of the average pot-bellied Sunday footballer. I’ll be looking into the community in more detail at some point soon, hopefully.

When it comes to award time, players, managers and fans are urged to nominate their mates and colleagues for a selection of categories. This is exactly what Enderby Social’s Richard Edwards did for Busby, and Edwards told Carling that “[Matt] has earned the respect as a manager from all of us. I can’t speak more highly of this man as a manager and a mate - there are only two Matt Busbys!”

Once nominated, the entrants were judged by the likes of ex-pro Robbie Earle, and Daily Mail columnist and Fighting Talk favourite Des Kelly. Busby was named top of the pile following promotion in the Hinckley and District League - and a win in the Les Moore Trophy, whatever that is - in his first season in the dugout.

At the time of writing, I know little about One - All and the Pub Football Awards, but I’ll look into it. For now, I’ll leave you with the words of the next Matt Busby…Matt Busby:

“To win the award is an absolute honour - I’d like to thank the team and everyone associated with the club for their support and contribution.

“My dad supported Manchester United - and obviously with my surname there was no other name to call me! I’ve got his autobiography and have taken my inspiration from the great man. I study his management skills and hope that the lads think that my approach is calm and positive too.

“Last season we won the Les Moore Trophy, came third in the League, and got promoted to Division Two. We’ve got three or four new players coming in this season, so I’ll need to make a few decisions on the team - but we’re a passionate bunch of lads who will make that step up.”

Best of luck to Enderby Social this season. It sounds like a challenge.