Former Manchester United wing-half Maurice Setters, who was Bobby Charlton’s best man and assistant to Jack Charlton with Ireland, dies aged 83 after battle with Alzheimer’s
- Maurice Setters has died at the age of 83 after six-year battle with Alzheimer’s
- Wing-half made over 400 appearances in Football League in his playing career
- He was part of the Manchester United team that won the FA Cup in 1963
- Setters was best man at the 1961 wedding of Bobby Charlton and his wife Norma
- He was right-hand man to Jack Charlton during Republic of Ireland’s golden era
Maurice Setters, the former Manchester United player and Republic of Ireland assistant manager, has died aged 83.
The wing-half, who made more than 400 appearances in the Football League, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease six years ago.
He spent his last two years in a residential home but became unwell a week ago and passed away at the Doncaster Royal Infirmary on Sunday morning.
Maurice Setters (left) shares a joke with Jack Charlton during a training session with the Republic of Ireland. Setters was Charlton’s right-hand man for nine years
Charlton and Setters celebrate Ireland’s qualification for the 1994 World Cup in the USA
United have paid tribute to Setters, who was best man at the 1961 wedding of club legend Sir Bobby Charlton and his wife, Norma.
The club said they were deeply saddened to learn of Setters’ passing, adding: ‘A fearsome competitor, Maurice made 194 appearances during the 1960s for United. He was part of our FA Cup-winning side in 1963 and captained the team on a number of occasions. Rest in peace, Maurice.’
Setters, from Devon, made 10 appearances for Exeter City before being snapped up by First Division West Bromwich Albion.
Setters (left) and Charlton salute the travelling Irish fans in Rome at the 1990 World Cup finals
Setters has died at the age of 83 following a six year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease
Setters with Matt Busby after signing for Man United from West Bromwich Albion in 1960
Heading a ball hung from the ceiling during Manchester United training in the early 1960s
The wing-half (left) is pictured with Stoke City team-mate Eric Skeels. He spent two seasons with the Potters after leaving Manchester United in 1965
Sir Matt Busby, searching for experience in the wake of the 1958 Munich Air Disaster, brought him to Old Trafford for £30,000 in 1960 following five successful years at the Hawthorns that saw him named as a reserve for England’s 1958 World Cup squad.
While with United, Setters lifted the FA Cup in 1963. But after losing his place to Nobby Stiles, he moved to Stoke City and would later play for Coventry and Charlton, along with a short spell in the United States.
After hanging up his boots he managed Doncaster Rovers for three and a half years and settled in the area before becoming Jack Charlton’s assistant at Sheffield Wednesday.
Setters again teamed up with the 1966 England World Cup winner with the Republic of Ireland from 1986 to 1995.
FA of Ireland president Gerry McAnaney said Setters was ‘integral to the glory days of Irish football’, adding: ‘Maurice was with Jack Chartlon every inch of the way as they led Ireland to the 1988 European Championship and the World Cups in Italy in 1990 and the USA four years later.’
Setters (right) looks on as Stoke team-mate Stanley Matthews laces up his boots for what would be his final match – at the age of 50
Setters (right) with Jack Charlton and Andy Townsend during an Ireland training session
