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Gary Bailey

Gary Bailey is an English former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Manchester United and Kaizer Chiefs, winning two FA Cups, and is now a sports broadcaster, speaker, and author.

1. Early life and background

Gary Bailey was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, England, on 9 August 1958. His father, Roy Bailey, was also a professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Ipswich Town, Gary's birthplace. Despite being born in England, Gary Bailey spent his formative years growing up in South Africa, which significantly shaped his early life before he pursued a professional football career.

2. Playing career

Gary Bailey's professional football journey began in South Africa, leading him to a prominent career with Manchester United and a brief international stint before multiple retirements due to injury and a final return to the South African league.

2.1. Early career and Manchester United debut

Bailey began his professional football career with Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa. In the late 1970s, demonstrating his determination, he personally funded his travel to Manchester for a trial with Manchester United. He made his official debut for the club on 18 November 1978, in a match against Ipswich Town, a team for which his father had played and which was also his hometown.

2.2. Manchester United career

Gary Bailey established himself as Manchester United's primary goalkeeper in the late 1970s, following the retirement of Alex Stepney. He remained with the club from 1978 to 1987, during which he played under three different managers: Dave Sexton, Ron Atkinson, and Alex Ferguson. During his tenure, Bailey made 294 league appearances for the "Red Devils" and accumulated a total of 375 matches across all competitions. He was widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in England throughout the early to mid-1980s. A significant achievement during his time with Manchester United was winning two FA Cup medals in the 1983 and 1985 finals. He also recorded 161 clean sheets for the club, a record that stood as the third highest in the club's history until it was surpassed by David de Gea in January 2022.

2.3. International career

Gary Bailey represented the England national team twice at senior level and also made 14 appearances for the England U-21 national team between 1979 and 1984. Despite his club form, he found it challenging to secure a regular spot in the senior starting eleven due to the strong competition from more experienced goalkeepers like Peter Shilton and Ray Clemence. His first senior cap came on 26 March 1985, in a match against the Republic of Ireland, which England won 2-1. His second and final international appearance was on 9 June of the same year, in a match against the Mexico national team, which England lost 1-0. Despite his limited senior appearances, he was selected as a reserve goalkeeper for the England squad at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico.

2.4. Injury and first retirement

Bailey's career was significantly impacted by a serious knee injury he sustained during training for the 1986 FIFA World Cup. This injury forced him to miss the majority of the 1986-87 season. Following this, he made his initial retirement from English football and returned to South Africa.

2.5. Return to football and final retirement

After returning to South Africa and resting his knee, Gary Bailey decided to resume his professional career in 1988, joining the prestigious South African club Kaizer Chiefs. During his two years with the team, he experienced significant success, winning the National Soccer League title in 1989 and accumulating a total of five trophies, including a remarkable quadruple in 1989. After a successful stint with Kaizer Chiefs, Bailey definitively retired from playing football in 1990 at the age of 32.

3. Post-playing career

Following his final retirement from professional football, Gary Bailey embarked on a diverse and successful career path that included media, education, ambassadorship, and writing.

3.1. Media and broadcasting

After his playing career, Bailey transitioned into broadcasting. He started as a radio presenter on Talk Radio 702 in South Africa. He then became a prominent television analyst and football presenter at SuperSport, where he served as the primary face for English football coverage across the African continent for 25 years. As of 2023, he works for BeIN Sports TV in Miami, Florida, where he covers Spanish and French football. Additionally, he provides commentary for USL (USA 2nd division) games and serves as a broadcast analyst for the National Women's Soccer League.

3.2. Education and further pursuits

While pursuing his dream of playing professional football, Gary Bailey also prioritized his academic development. He earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in physics from Manchester Polytechnic, which is now known as Manchester Metropolitan University. Later in his career, while working full-time at SuperSport, he successfully completed an MBA from Henley in Oxford. These academic achievements highlight his intellectual pursuits beyond the football field.

3.3. Ambassadorship and speaking activities

Gary Bailey played a significant role as an ambassador for South Africa's successful bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Beyond his media work, he established himself as a highly sought-after motivational keynote speaker. He frequently addresses audiences on the subject of "Success under Pressure," sharing his insights on managing high-stakes situations. He has traveled globally, speaking to numerous top-tier companies, including prominent organizations such as Microsoft, IBM, Nike, Coca-Cola, and Mercedes-Benz. In recognition of his impactful speaking career, Bailey was inducted into the Speakers Hall of Fame in 2010.

3.4. Writings

Gary Bailey has authored two books. The first, titled "Success under Pressure," includes a foreword written by his former Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson. His second book, "Putting the Kids first," is a more personal work aimed at helping individuals navigate the challenges of divorce and child-rearing.

3.5. Current activities

As of the most recent available information, Gary Bailey remains actively involved in sports broadcasting and analysis. He continues his work with BeIN Sports TV in Miami, Florida, providing coverage for Spanish and French football, and contributes commentary for USL (USA 2nd division) games. He also serves as a broadcast analyst for the National Women's Soccer League.

4. Personal life

Gary Bailey is the son of former Ipswich Town goalkeeper Roy Bailey. He first married Kate Saunders in 1990, and together they had three children: Lara, Jenna, and Ross. The couple divorced in 2006. In 2010, he met Michelle McLean, who was crowned Miss Universe 1992. They married in March 2013, and in December 2013, Bailey emigrated to the United States. He currently resides on Miami Beach in Florida.

5. Honours

Manchester United

  • FA Cup: 1982-83, 1984-85
  • FA Charity Shield: 1983

Kaizer Chiefs

  • National Soccer League: 1989
  • BP Top 8: 1989
  • JPS Knockout: 1989
  • Charity Spectacular: 1989
  • Ohlsson's Challenge Cup: 1989

England

  • UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 1984

6. Legacy and reception

Gary Bailey is remembered as a prominent goalkeeper of his era, particularly for his contributions to Manchester United. His enduring impact is highlighted by the admiration of other notable goalkeepers. Notably, Peter Schmeichel, a legendary Manchester United goalkeeper himself, once stated on BBC Match of the Day 3 that Gary Bailey was his favorite goalkeeper of all time and that he idolized Bailey as a young aspiring player growing up in Denmark. This testament reflects Bailey's significant influence and high regard within the football community.