The legendary Red Devils coach: The road to success

Chapter 183 "Madman" Les Healy

"Les Healy is a crazy goalkeeper. He can ignore a broken leg, a cut knee, or a thigh wound. He dares to block the opponent's shot with his face. He will play the game even if he is seriously injured. He had a knee injection four weeks after knee surgery and almost lost his life because of a serious injury... He is such a madman, a person who will give everything for victory."

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This summer, the Red Devils' old goalkeeper Les Healy is leaving.

What Les Healy left behind for Red Devils fans and journalists was a topical impression and countless crazy stories.

Healy is a goalkeeper with explosive spirit, a warrior with tough bones, and a guy who is not afraid of death for victory. Goalkeepers with a background in British football are all cold and hard-line, and Healy is just such a guy. He has a spirit of not admitting defeat in his mind. He is not afraid of confrontation and collision, not afraid of injury, dares to block all dangers, and even dares to use his face to take the opponent's powerful volley. In the impression of all fans, Healy can do everything for victory as long as he stands on the goal line, and he will even save a ball at the cost of his life. He is always so fierce.

Les Sealey was born in London on September 1957, 9. He made his debut in Coventry in 29 and joined Luton in 1976. Sealey stayed in Luton for 1983 years and was selected for the Scotland team. Sealey performed steadily. He was Leighton's substitute in the Scotland team for a long time and also worked with Ferguson.

In January 1990, the 1-year-old Sealy received a notice from Luton that they did not intend to renew his contract. At this time, the Red Devils' backup goalkeeper Gary Walsh was suddenly injured, and Ferguson decided to rent Sealy for a short period of time. In this way, Sealy joined the Red Devils.

From January to May 1990, Healy was the backup goalkeeper for the Red Devils and played in only two games. The main goalkeeper of the Red Devils was his old acquaintance Leighton, and Healy did not have many opportunities to replace him. The Red Devils had a very difficult season in 1-5, but the team finally reached the FA Cup final. In May 1989, the Red Devils played against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final. In this game, the Red Devils goalkeeper Leighton played abnormally, made many mistakes, and the quality of his saves was also very poor. Because of Leighton's drag, the Red Devils finally tied with their opponents 90-1990 and had to choose a rematch. Ferguson decided to send Les Healy as the starting goalkeeper in the rematch and give up Leighton. Many years later, Ferguson said: "Is Healy really better than Leighton? Not really, but I have to make a substitution at this time. Because Leighton's spirit has collapsed, and Healy has stronger self-confidence. I think he will not be nervous when he plays at Wembley, which is very important for us."

This FA Cup final rematch was the beginning of Sealy's legend in the Red Devils. When he stood in front of the goal line, although he looked old and his movements seemed slow, he was calm and composed. The Crystal Palace forwards kept shoving him with their bodies and even slid a few times, thinking that this would scare him and even break his confidence. However, the Crystal Palace guys were disappointed. Sealy, the old gun with a strong personality, roared loudly and was even crazier than them. In the confrontation, Sealy was even more brave and fearless. Whether it was attacking or falling to the ground to save, or sliding and flying to block... Sealy completed it very well. He was like a god helping high and low blocks to keep the goal. In this way, the Red Devils finally relied on defender Lee Martin to score the only goal, defeated the opponent, and won the FA Cup.

Healy was very wild on the court, but he was very low-key and humble in the locker room. He found Leighton after the game and offered to give him the championship medal. Leighton was furious at the time and refused directly without a good face. Many years later, Leighton said in mourning Healy: "What can I say about this guy? He took away my starting position, my glory, and even everything from me, but I just can't hate him. I regret my attitude towards him at that time. We have been teammates of the Scottish team for many years, and I know what kind of person he is."

In the summer of 1990, Les Healy officially joined the Red Devils as the main goalkeeper. In the 1990-91 Community Shield, he played well and helped the team draw with Liverpool and share the championship. This was the second championship trophy Healy won after joining the Red Devils.

In the following season, Les Healy played 51 times for the Red Devils in all competitions. He was extremely confident, performed stably, and basically made no big mistakes, helping the Red Devils to finish sixth in the league.

Healy's bravery and madness were fully demonstrated in the League Cup final on April 1991, 4. In this match between the Red Devils and Sheffield Wednesday, the Red Devils were put into a passive situation after the opponent scored a goal in the first half. The goal was not Healy's fault, but the entire defense line of the Red Devils was penetrated by the counterattack. The Red Devils continued to attack frantically, but in the 21th minute of the game, the opponent once again launched a quick counterattack and formed a single-handed opportunity. Healy bravely attacked and blocked, and had a fierce collision with the opponent's forward. His knee was cut by Paul Williams's studs, and the bones were directly exposed. The gushing blood immediately soaked the jersey and socks. Williams was so frightened that he dared not look at Healy's wound. The Red Devils' team doctor rushed up and bandaged the bleeding in a hurry, and called for an ambulance to stand by. But Healy refused to leave the field. He knew that the Red Devils actually had no goalkeeper to replace. The team doctor finally bandaged Healy and let him play until the end of the game. Healy did not concede any more goals in the rest of the game, but the Red Devils still lost the game. When the game ended, Healy suddenly fell into a coma, and his Red Devils teammates were shocked and the doctor immediately performed first aid.

What happened next was even more incredible. Les Healy, who had just finished surgery, suddenly woke up from anesthesia. "The Cup Winners' Cup final is still four weeks away," he blurted out to the doctor beside his bed, "I have to play this game and I have to play."

"Playing a game?" The doctor was surprised. "You are lucky to be alive."

Healy really didn't know that he had just come back from the gates of hell. When the Red Devils were waiting to fly back to Manchester at Heathrow Airport after the League Cup final, Healy suddenly fell into a coma again. He was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment again, and his life was finally saved. The doctor later said that if Healy had boarded the plane at that time, his treatment would have been delayed.

Healy didn't care about that at all. He was determined to start. Generally speaking, it takes three months for a player to recover after knee surgery, but Healy created a miracle. Four weeks later, he stood on the pitch in Rotterdam as the starting goalkeeper, standing in front of the Red Devils' goal.

Of course, Healy had not fully recovered, but he cried to Ferguson: "I must participate in the game no matter what. I can play and guard the goal. Boss, you can trust me!"

Ferguson somehow agreed to let Sealy, who had a thick bandage on his left knee, start as goalkeeper. Sealy's movement and strength were restricted, and his knee was constantly in pain. The opponent also knew his problem and frequently shot at him. But Sealy held on and did not delay his performance at all. He made many magical saves on the field, blocked the opponent's various shots, and finally helped the unfavorable Red Devils beat Barcelona 2-1.

McClair said, "Les Healy is over 32 years old and is seriously injured. No one believed he could still play. But he started miraculously. That final was a duel. He was someone who could fight for victory. He played very well and was a big contributor to our victory!"

Robson said: "We saw Healy return to the training ground a week in advance. At first we thought he wanted to use the equipment on the training ground for some rehabilitation treatment. We never thought he would return to the front line - this is incredible!"

“He came in on loan and won a ton of trophies,” Pallister joked years later. “I think this guy was like a kid in a candy store when he got the chance to play for the Red Devils. He probably never thought he’d get to this stage, but after those two finals, Healy was undoubtedly a big name in our team.”

Phelan said, "Healy is a lucky guy, he has a halo around him. He saved Ferguson's life in the FA Cup, and the match against Barcelona became his most magical masterpiece. No one expected him to play and perform so well."

McClair once shared a hotel room with the goalkeeper. He recalled, "He was a terrible roommate at the time, a night owl who stayed up all night. What was even more creepy was that this guy didn't go out, but made a noise in the room. He even opened the window in the middle of the night and spoke loudly to the dark outside the window. I woke up and said, 'Healy, what are you doing?' He said, 'I can't sleep, so I have to talk.' He kept talking as if he saw something, his eyes were shining, and I think this experience was enough once."

In the summer of 1991, Les Healy left the Red Devils, and his legendary story with the Red Devils came to a temporary end.

The departure of Les Healy made many Red Devils fans feel sad. This special player won the love of all Red Devils fans. Fans hung a banner at the Red Devils training base saying "Salute to the madman, we love you forever", sent Les Healy countless gifts and flowers, and kept inviting him to various parties to express their love and sincere respect for him.

Healy first played for Villa, then Coventry and Birmingham. In 1993, Les Healy once again responded to Ferguson's call and returned to Old Trafford, becoming Schmeichel's substitute. This time he helped the Red Devils win the Community Shield. After that, Les Healy also played for Blackpool, West Ham, Leyton Orient and Bolivar until he finally retired.

Les Healy's last Premier League match was on May 1997, 5, against his former club Manchester United. He got the chance to come on as a substitute for West Ham and received warm applause from both Manchester United and West Ham fans.

After retiring, Les Healy worked as a goalkeeping coach for West Ham United. On August 2001, 8, Les Healy suffered a heart attack and died after failed rescue efforts at the age of 19.

A 37-year-old player who was still active on the field unexpectedly passed away at the age of 43. The news of Les Healy's death shocked the football world. "We are very sad, this news is too painful," said Kenyon, the then CEO of the Manchester United Club. "Les Healy was very brave and confident, and also very smart and wise. He brought extraordinary confidence and passion to everyone. We all miss him. He always shone with the glory of the Manchester United."

Ferguson mourned the death of Les Healy and expressed his condolences to his family. Ferguson said: "Les Healy was a hero of the Red Devils and he made outstanding contributions to the Red Devils. I will never forget him and thank him for his unparalleled help. Les Healy has always performed well and he saved the team in the most difficult time for the Red Devils. His spirit will always inspire us to move forward."

Robson gave a special speech on behalf of the Red Devils at the funeral. "I must say that Les Healy is a brave guy, he is crazier than me. We are the same kind of people, not afraid of injuries, desperate for any opportunity, willing to sacrifice our lives for victory. So Healy always wanted to fight alone like a warrior, and he did it. Les Healy's position determines that this is an extraordinary test. The goalkeeper needs to bear greater danger. He embodies the spirit of a true tough guy. He is our hero and will always deserve our respect."

On the 2011th anniversary of Les Healy's death in August 8, the Red Devils launched a large-scale memorial event on their official website. The club also engraved Les Healy's name on the Red Devils' Wall of Fame and organized a memorial exhibition of Les Healy's life. The club and the players launched a fundraising campaign for Les Healy's widow and children to help them through their lonely lives.

Every year since then, the Red Devils official website will update the content in memory of Les Healy. Les Healy's career with the Red Devils was short but brilliant. His name has been engraved in the long history of the Red Devils and has always been respected and loved by the Red Devils fans.