Bill Foulkes Continental gold and enamel 1968 European Cup Winners Medal the obverse inscribed COUPE DES CLUBS CHAMPIONS EUROPEENS, the reverse inscr

Bill Foulkes Continental gold and enamel 1968 European Cup Winners Medal the obverse inscribed COUPE DES CLUBS CHAMPIONS EUROPEENS, the reverse inscribed VAINQUEUR 1968, stamped Peka, 0.750 with ring suspension, in later bespoke hinged velvet lined case with brass plaques one inscribed 1968 EUROPEAN CUP FINAL, WINNERS: MANCHESTER UNITED F.C., the other Presented To BILL FOULKES (CENTRE HALF) PROVENANCE: Christie's Scotland Football Memorabilia including The Bill Foulkes Collection, 14th October 1992, Lot 88 Graham Budd Auctions Sporting Memorabilia, 5th November 2012, Lot 553 EXHIBITED: National Football Museum Manchester Bill Foulkes was a professional football player who is best remembered for his long and successful career with Manchester United Football Club in England. Born on 5th January 1932 in St Helens, Lancashire, England, Foulkes was a one-club man, dedicating his entire playing career to Manchester United from 1951 until 1970. Foulkes was primarily a central defender, known for his physical strength, aerial ability, and dedication to the team. His career was remarkable not just for its length but also for the incredible success he experienced. He made a total of 688 appearances for Manchester United, a figure only surpassed by a select few players in the history of the club, Ryan Giggs and Bobby Charlton. Perhaps the most significant event in Foulkes' career came in 1958 when he was one of the survivors of the Munich air disaster, a plane crash that claimed the lives of 23 people, including eight of his Manchester United teammates. Foulkes was one of the players who helped rebuild the team in the wake of the tragedy, he took on the responsibility of captaining the side when fixtures resumed. Foulkes won numerous titles during his career with Manchester United, including the English First Division four times and the F.A. Cup once. Arguably the pinnacle of his career as a member of the 1968 European Cup final team that defeated Benfica 4-1 at Wembley in extra-time. Taking a slender 1-0 lead into the 2nd leg, Bill Foulkes 80th minute goal levelling the match 3-3 thus giving United a 4-3 aggregate win that sent Manchester United to the final. United were the first English team to be crowned European Champions, following Celtic's triumph for Scotland the previous year. After retiring as a player, Foulkes moved into coaching. He managed several teams around the world, including in the United States, Norway, and Japan. Foulkes passed away on 25 November 2013 at the age of 81.