Scott Duncan in his own words, part 1

The former Manchester United manager serialised his career in the Manchester Evening News in 1958

In August 1958, Manchester United were looking forward to welcoming their manager, Matt Busby, back into the role following his period of convalescence after the Munich Air Disaster.

At the same time, his predecessor in the role, Scott Duncan, had just announced his retirement from management. The Manchester Evening News convinced Duncan to write a serialisation of his life and career.

Duncan has always been a fascinating figure to me - much like any United manager - as he was the first man chosen by the leadership duo of chairman James Gibson and secretary Walter Crickmer to lead their vision for a club that developed their own players.

Sadly I don’t know if there is enough information about Duncan to warrant my writing a full biography of him. However I thought the columns would make interesting reading, so I’m sharing here to help educate United supporters about the man in the hotseat before Busby.

Secrets of United by A. Scott Duncan.

Play for Rangers and you're on next boat to ‘Mespot’ - bawled the Sergeant Major.

When the town midwife delivered a son to the Duncan family on November 2, 1888, above a butcher's shop in Dumbarton, his future was already planned. He would be named Adam Scott, he would have a good education, be articled to a local firm of solicitors and eventually practice himself.

In all but the last, the prearranged plans ran along well-oiled lines. Like a dutiful son, I was beginning to accept the idea of being a white-collared, bowler-hatted solicitor, complete with bulging briefcase and rolled umbrella. Like scores of other boys, I spent my leisure hours kicking a ball about the back streets.