Manchester United

Fraser Digby.  A talented goalkeeper, Fraser was a United apprentice but in 1986 he joined Swindon Town with whom he made 420 appearances between 1986 and 1998. He represented England schoolboys, youth and Under-21’s and in 1993 was between the posts when Swindon returned to the Premiership. In 1992 he returned to United on loan as cover for Peter Schmeichel, but despite being selected as substitute on several occasions he never played for the first team.

Russell Beardsmore.  Russell began his career with United and made his debut against West Ham in 1988 and was one of the first wave of “Fergie’s Fledglings” to emerge. In only his second game he inspired his side to a 3-1 home win over great rivals Liverpool, scoring one and setting up the other two for Brian McLair and Mark Hughes. He was capped five times for the England Under-21’s during this period. His appearances the following season were reduced due to injury and in 1993 he joined Bournmouth where he remained until his retirement in 1998.

Alan McLoughlin.  Alan began his career as a trainee at Old Trafford before joining Swindon in 1986. In 1992 he was transferred to Portsmouth for £400,000 and went on to make 309 appearances for them. But it is for his sensational goal against Northern Ireland in the World Cup qualifier in Windsor Park that he is most fondly remembered.  With Ireland trailing to a Jimmy Quinn goal, Alan stuck from distance to send his side into the World Cup finals in the USA. He went on to win 42 caps for the Republic of Ireland in an illustrious career.

David May. David began his career with Blackburn Rovers and went on to make 123 appearances with them. In 1992 he helped them win promotion to the Premiership and the following year they were runners-up to Manchester United. In 1994 he moved to Old Trafford for £1.2 million and remained there until 2003. He played in the 1996 and 1999 FA Cup Finals and was a valued member of the treble winning side. He is now working as a pundit for MUTV.

Peter Davenport.  Peter made his reputation with Nottingham Forest where he was leading scorer in seasons 1983/84 and 1984/85. In 1986 he joined United and in his first season was top scorer with 16 goals. In 1989 he joined Middlesborough and the following year he was transferred to Sunderland. He formed a lethal partnership with Ireland’s John Byrne and in 1992 they reached the FA Cup Final against Liverpool, with Byrne scoring in every round up to the final.

Arthur Albiston.  Once again taking on the dual role of player/manager, Arthur is a true United legend. With 485 appearances between 1974 and 1988he is the tenth longest serving player in the clubs history. An FA Cup winner in 1977, 1983 and 1985, he was also capped 14 times for Scotland. When he left in 1988 he was the only surviving player from the Tommy Docherty era. He currently works for MUTV, United’s official TV channel.

Clayton Blackmore.  A talented rugby player, Clayton opted for soccer and in 1982 joined United as an apprentice and went on to make 251 appearances for Tshe Reds. He was first choice left back when United went on to beat Barcelona in the European Cup Winners Cup Final in 1991 but lost his place to Denis Irwin the following season. He joined Middlesboro in 1994 and helped them reach the FA Cup Final in 1997 where they lost to Chelsea. In a distinguished career he was capped 39 times for Wales.

Ben Thornley.  Best known as a youth and reserve player, Ben was a talented left winger who helped United win the FA Youths Cup. He was highly regarded by Alex Ferguson but serious injuries prevented him from making the expected breakthrough. He represented England at Under-21 level on three occasions and between 1998 and 2001 made 127 appearances for Huddersfield Town.

Mike Duxbury.  Mike joined United in 1975 as a schoolboy and made his debut in 1980, coming on as a substitute for Kevin Moran against Birmingham City. He won FA Cup medals in 1983 and 1985 and was capped 10 times for England. He left Old Trafford in 1990 having made 299 appearances for the club.

Liam O’Brien.  Liam began his career with schoolboy club Stella Maris and then played for Bohemians and Shelbourne. In 1986 he became Ron Atkinson’s last signing and in 1988 he joined Newcastle for £275,000. He went on to play for Tranmere, Cork City and Bohemians. He enjoyed some great European nights with Bohs as they knocked Aberdeen and Kaiserlautern out of the UEFA Cup. Liam won 16 caps for Ireland and was part of the 1988 European Championship squad.

Derek Brazil.  Dublin born Derek began his career with Rivermount Boys Club before being signed by United in 1988. A fine defender he joined Cardiff City in 1992 and went on to make 115 appearances for them, winning the Division 3 title in 1993. He currently teaches coaching and physical education in the Cardiff area.

Celtic

Packie Bonner. An Irish as well as a Celtic legend, Packie chawked up 642 appearances for The Bhoys between 1978 and 1995. He was Jock Stein’s last signing and went on to win 5 League titles, 4 Cups and 1 League Cup. But it is for his never to be forgotten display in Ireland’s 1-0 win over England in Euro ’88 in Stuttgart that he will always be remembered by the Irish public. Holder of 80 International caps he is currently Technical Director with the FAI and is a much loved and admired figure in footballing circles.

Tom Boyd.  After Billy McNeill, Tom became only the second Celtic captain to lift three trophies in one season when they won the treble in 2001. He also has the distinction of captaining Celtic to their first League title in ten years in 1998, thus preventing bitter rivals Rangers from securing a record breaking ten in a row. Tom is the fifth most capped Scottish player with 72 International appearances and is currently coach of the Celtic Under-17 team.

Tommy Johnson.  Tommy had the unusual distinction of playing under five different managers during his five year tenure between 1997 and 2001. It is for his scoring exploits that he is most remembered, scoring in the 2000 League Cup Final against Aberdeen and netting the title clinching goal in Celtic’s triple winning season in 2001.

Neil Lennon.  The current Celtic Manager, Neil joined the club in 2000 from Leicester City and went on to make 214 appearances. In his last game in 2007 he captained Celtic to victory in the Scottish Cup Final against Dunfermline to clinch the League and Cup double. Neil was capped 40 times for Northern Ireland and also captained his country. He was forced to retire from international football following death threats after he allegedly said he wanted to play for a team representing a United Ireland.

Johan Mjallby.  A Swedish international, Johan plied his trade with The Hoops between 1998 and 2004. He was signed from AIK for £1.2 million and went on to make 144 appearances for the club. He also played in the thrilling 2003 UEFA Cup Final against Porto when they were narrowly beaten 3-2. Johan was capped 49 times for Sweden and is currently Assistant Manager at Celtic.

Thomas”Tosh”McKinlay.  An outstanding schoolboy footballer and ardent Celtic fan, Tosh played with Dundee and Hearts before joining The Bhoys in 1994. In his first season they won the Scottish Cup defeating Airdrie and he also won his first international cap against Greece. In 1998 he played in the opening World Cup game against Brazil before an estimated TV audience of 1.7 billion.

Darren Jackson.  Darren joined Celtic in 1997 after spells with Meadowbank Thistle, Newcastle, Dundee United and Hibernian and in his first season they won the League title and the League Cup. He was capped 28 times for Scotland, scoring four goals.

Andy Walker.  Andy spent two periods at Celtic, from 1987 to 1991 and from 1994 to 1996, clocking up 150 appearances. In 1996 he joined Sheffield Utd for £500,000, scoring 24 goals over two seasons. He was capped three times for Scotland and currently works as a TV pundit.

Stewart Kerr.  A graduate of Celtic’s youth system, Stewart played 40 times for the club during an eight season period. He made his debut in 1996 when he became first choice goalkeeper. Persistent back injuries ensured he struggled to hold down a regular place and he was eventually forced to retire in 2003. Stewart is currently on the coaching staff at Partick Thistle.

Mark McNally.  Mark began his career with Celtic Youths in 1987 and went on to make 122 appearances for the club. In 1995 he won the Scottish Cup in his final game for Celtic. He subsequently played for Southend Utd, Stoke City and Dundee Utd. In 2008 he joined the Scottish Football Association as part of their youth coaching system.

Brian O’Neill.  Brian was a member of the Scotland team that reached the final of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 1989. A cultured midfielder he quickly became an established member of Liam Brady’s side. In 1993 he scored the winner against Rangers at Ibrox Park but the following season he suffered a serious knee injury from which he never fully recovered. He was capped seven times for Scotland.