Gary Bailey Profile
Gary Richard Bailey, born Ipswich, England, August 9, 1958. Although born in Ipswich, Gary Bailey was raised in South Africa and began his goalkeeping career with Cape Town City before he joined Wits University of Johannesburg in 1976. After a successful trial at Manchester United in 1977, he was subsequently signed by Old Trafford manager Dave Sexton.
Widely acclaimed as the most promising young goalkeeper in England, Gary Bailey soon managed to establish himself in the Manchester United first team following the departure of Alex Stepney, and he was given his Football League debut in a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town at Old Trafford on the 18th of November 1978. While with Manchester United, Bailey amassed a total of 373 first team appearances for The Red, and helped the Old Trafford club land the FA Cup in both 1983 and 1985. The doughty and dependable goalkeeper also went on to collect two senior caps for England after making his full debut in a 2-1 friendly fixture victory against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley on the 26th of March 1985. The quick and agile Bailey was undoubtedly an excellent netminder, even though he was never quite the equal of England goalkeeping colleague Peter Shilton at commanding his penalty area. Unfortunately, he developed a serious knee injury during training at the World Cup in Mexico in 1986 and eventually returned to South Africa where he starred for Soweto side Kaizer Chiefs before he finally retired from the game at the comparatively young age of 32. Gary Bailey Playing Career: Cape Town City, Wits University, Manchester United, Kaizer Chiefs. Managing Career: None.
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