Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Busby Babe who helped save thousands from IRA Arndale bomb
Arndale to check everyone had gone and were about to leave.
The 3,300lb bomb exploded at 11.17am.
Dennis was just exiting the Arndale and the force of the blast hurled him into the window of Debenhams on the other side of the road. Mercifully, he was unhurt.
He later told wife Paula: “I was worrying, yes, but not about being hurt – I was worrying that I wouldn’t get everyone out in time – that’s the scariest thing. ‘Can we empty this place fast enough?’ – that was my focus, I didn’t think of anything else.”
The explosion caused £700million of damage. At the time, England had been hosting the Euro ’96 football tournament and the Russia v Germany match was due to take place in Manchester the next day.
Incredibly – and thanks to the actions of Dennis, his team, the police and security forces – no one was killed. There were 212 injuries.
In the aftermath of the Arndale blast – 24 years ago this week – Dennis worked tirelessly seven days a week to help rebuild the centre.
But most did not realise that the man orchestrating the recovery work after the biggest bomb blast in Britain since the Second World War had been a player for Manchester United.
Not only that, he was the first black player ever to play for United. Having been a childhood Red Devils fan, Dennis’s times at Old Trafford were among the happiest in his life.
“He was really proud of playing for Manchester United,” said daughter Nadine, who lives just a short walk from the iconic stadium.
“He was delighted because it was all he had ever wanted to do. He used to say how brilliant his fellow players George Best and Bobby Charlton were. And he was very good friends with David Sadler, who was Best Man at his wedding.”
Tony Whelan, who is the current Assistant Academy Director at Manchester United and has overseen the development of hundreds of young players, is in no doubt of Walker’s importance.
“Dennis played a significant part in the history of the club,” he said.
“He was one of the pioneers, no question – the founding father for black players at United, including Remi Moses, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice
Evra down to Danny Welbeck and Jesse Lingard.” Dennis is honoured on a walkway plaque at their Carrington training ground for all those who have made it through the ranks.
“He was the subject of a project this year for the Under-15s, who were told the story of his achievements, and they will be giving a presentation to Dennis’s family, once the pandemic is over,” said Whelan. Dennis’s ability was spotted early and he was picked up by United aged 12. After the 1958 Munich air disaster, he became part of the second wave of Busby Babes.
Born in Northwich, Cheshire on October 26, 1944, Dennis signed as a professional in November 1961.
His debut came in 1963 against Nottingham Forest. United were due to be playing five days later in the FA Cup Final at Wembley against Leicester, but Busby didn’t want any injuries to key players.
So, for the Monday game on May 20, he played 5ft-9in Dennis in place of United legend Bobby Charlton.
The game ended 3-2 to Forest, but Busby’s ploy of resting players worked as United beat favourites Leicester 3-1 in the Cup Final. It was United’s first trophy since Munich.
Dennis, a right-sided midfielder or forward, remained on the periphery of the first team and even went on a pre-season tour of Italy before the 1963/64 campaign. But he was never again to play for the first XI. Busby argued: “Who do you want me to drop to make way for Walker? George Best? Bobby Charlton? Denis Law?”
So he moved to York City in 1964, before joining Cambridge United in 1968 and then Poole Town in October 1972.
He also played for Montreal Olympique and was a colleague of Graeme Souness there.
Later, despite suffering a massive stroke, Dennis still tried to face life with his usual positivity, but died in Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, aged only 58 on August 11, 2003.
He was married four times and a father to eight children.
Whelan added: “Dennis has been an unhailed hero. He left a wonderful legacy at United for 50 to 60 years – and he remains an inspiration.”