Les Olive
Encyclopedia
Robert Leslie Olive was club secretary of Manchester United
from the days after the Munich air disaster
until 1988, when he was made a club director.
Born in Salford, England
, he started his career at Old Trafford
as a member of the ground staff, aged 14. During these early years, he played twice for the first team as a goalkeeper.
When the fateful plane crash happened he was assistant secretary to Walter Crickmer
but his boss died in the crash and it was left to Olive to contact the families of the 23 victims who perished on the runway, before organising their funerals.
He remained as a director of the club until the takeover in 2005 by Malcolm Glazer
and his family.
He died of prostate cancer
aged 78 on 20 May 2006.
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
from the days after the Munich air disaster
Munich air disaster
The Munich air disaster occurred on 6 February 1958, when British European Airways Flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway at Munich-Riem Airport in Munich, West Germany. On board the plane was the Manchester United football team, nicknamed the "Busby Babes",...
until 1988, when he was made a club director.
Born in Salford, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, he started his career at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
as a member of the ground staff, aged 14. During these early years, he played twice for the first team as a goalkeeper.
When the fateful plane crash happened he was assistant secretary to Walter Crickmer
Walter Crickmer
Walter Crickmer was an English football club secretary and manager.He became Manchester United club secretary in 1926. He twice assumed managerial responsibility: from 1 April 1931 to 1 June 1932, and then again from 1 August 1937 to 1 February 1945.Together with club owner James W...
but his boss died in the crash and it was left to Olive to contact the families of the 23 victims who perished on the runway, before organising their funerals.
He remained as a director of the club until the takeover in 2005 by Malcolm Glazer
Malcolm Glazer
Malcolm Irving Glazer is an American businessman and sports team owner. He is the president and chief executive officer of First Allied Corporation, a holding company for his varied business interests, most notably in the food processing industry...
and his family.
He died of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
aged 78 on 20 May 2006.