Tooting Common To The Stretford End – The Alex Stepney Story
Alex Stepney is a name synonymous with goalkeepers from a golden era of English football during the late 1960s and ’70s. Revered alongside the likes of Gordon Banks, Peter Bonetti, Pat Jennings and Peter Shilton, Alex was brave, dedicated, agile and tough as old boots. And when it came to diving head first to stop a marauding striker Alex never flinched. Teammates and supporters of Tooting & Mitchum, Millwall, Manchester United, Dallas Tornado and Altrincham testify that Stepney was a ‘hero’ on many occasions during a glittering career. Alex, of course, is best remembered for his days at United where he won European Cup, Division 1, Division 2 and FA Cup winners’ medals. But at Tooting where everything started, he is lauded as their most famous player, while at Milwall he enjoyed consecutive promotion campaigns, and followers of Dallas and Altrincham speak fondly of ‘Big Al’ during brief spells. Alex scaled the heights from non-league football to the top of his chosen sport. Playing for the biggest club in world football Alex earned his place in club folklore. Still one of only three United ‘keepers to boast the ‘treble’ haul of European, Division 1 and FA Cup, Alex reached the summit on a balmy Wembley night against Benfica in the European Cup final in 1968. But he also earned the respect of peers domestically and in Europe. Whether playing at Old Trafford, Anfield, the San Siro or Bernabeau, Alex fronted up to the top strikers and came up trumps. Time allows observers of the game to appreciate greatness and Alex is heralded as an all-time great.