REPUTATIONS count for little in modern day soccer.

Yesterday's hero can be cast aside without mercy writes Chris Sudlow

Witness Jaap Stam's abrupt departure from Old Trafford. Sold "like a piece of meat" he claimed, by Sir Alex Ferguson.

But ruthless Fergie is only the latest in a long line of managers for whom the individual is only useful for a limited period of time.

An Old Trafford legend also discovered this more than 30 years ago when Sir Matt Busby proved the friendly smile hid a will of iron.

Picture this scene: Dennis Viollet - Busby Babe, Munich survivor, record goalscorer (his 32 in 36 league games in 1960 has still to be beaten) is sitting at home when the phone rings.

In a fascinating new biography* Viollet explained what happened next.

"'Hello,' I answered. It was Tony Waddington, the Stoke City manager. He told me he had spoken to Matt Busby and he had been given permission to sign me. Can you imagine how I felt?'"

Later Waddington visited the Viollet household, generous terms were soon agreed and Dennis was on his way to the Potteries, to link up with Sir Stanley Matthews and help with the great revival of Stoke City.

Although Viollet described Busby as "the best manager the game has ever seen" the manner of his departure left a bitter taste.

"I will never forgive him for the heartless way in which he handled my leaving Old Trafford. It felt to me as if I had become like an old pair of boots to Busby that could be flung in the corner and ignored."

The fascinating book describes how the Viollet family were staunch City fans, but he signed on for the enemy (like Ryan Giggs years later) when staff at Maine Road were too slow to arrange the formalities.

It recounts the formation of the Busby Babes, the trauma of Munich, Viollet's years at Stoke and eventual move to America where he became a successful coaching hero to new generations.

Co-authors Roy Cavanagh and Brian Hughes handle this life story with humour and tact - Dennis died in March, 1999, from a brain tumour under the scars inflicted in the crash on that German runway so many years earlier.

Viollet - the life of a legendary goalscorer (Empire Publications, £16.95hb)

The BEN has two copies of the book 'Viollet' to be won.

Just answer the folloqwing question and send your answer to the Sports Desk, Bolton Evening News, Mealhouse Lane, Bolton BL1 1DE. Entries to be received before Wednesday, February 20,

REPUTATIONS count for little in modern day soccer.

Yesterday's hero can be cast aside without mercy.

Witness Jaap Stam's abrupt departure from Old Trafford. Sold "like a piece of meat" he claimed, by Sir Alex Ferguson.

But ruthless Fergie is only the latest in a long line of managers for whom the individual is only useful for a limited period of time.

An Old Trafford legend also discovered this more than 30 years ago when Sir Matt Busby proved the friendly smile hid a will of iron.

Picture this scene: Dennis Viollet - Busby Babe, Munich survivor, record goalscorer (his 32 in 36 league games in 1960 has still to be beaten) is sitting at home when the phone rings.

In a fascinating new biography* Viollet explained what happened next.

"Hello, I answered. It was Tony Waddington, the Stoke City manager. He told me he had spoken to Matt Busby and he had been given permission to sign me. Can you imagine how I felt?"

Later Waddington visited the Viollet household, generous terms were soon agreed and Dennis was on his way to the Potteries, to link up with Sir Stanley Matthews and help with the great revival of Stoke City.

Although Viollet described Busby as "the best manager the game has ever seen" the manner of his departure left a bitter taste.

"I will never forgive him for the heartless way in which he handled my leaving Old Trafford. It felt to me as if I had become like an old pair of boots to Busby that could be flung in the corner and ignored."

The fascinating book describes how the Viollet family were staunch City fans, but he signed on for the enemy (like Ryan Giggs years later) when staff at Maine Road were too slow to arrange the formalities. It recounts the formation of the Busby Babes, the trauma of Munich, Viollet's years at Stoke and eventual move to America where he became a successful coaching hero to new generations.

Co-authors Roy Cavanagh and Brian Hughes handle this life story with humour and tact - Dennis died in March, 1999, from a brain tumour under the scars inflicted in the crash on that German runway so many years earlier.

Viollet - the life of a legendary goalscorer (Empire Publications, £16.95hb)

The BEN has two copies of the book 'Viollet' to be won.

Just answer the following question and send your answer on a postcard to the Sports Desk, Bolton Evening News, Mealhouse Lane, Bolton BL1 1DE. Entries to be received before Wednesday, February 20,

Question: Which club signed Dennis Viollet from Manchester United? United 'babe' who Busby pushed out