Tributes to the ‘hero of a generation’ Denis Regulation

Tributes have poured in for former Scotland, Manchester United and Manchester Metropolis striker Denis Regulation after his death at the age of 84.

Born in Aberdeen, Regulation is the only Scottish player to have won the Ballon d’Or.

The man nicknamed “The King” and “The Lawyer” spent 11 years at Previous Trafford. His 237 goals in 404 appearances placed him third in United’s history behind Wayne Rooney and Bobby Charlton.

Veteran broadcaster Archie Macpherson said he was adored and respected by players and fans alike and gave “credence” to the Scotland national team.

Regulation was capped 55 times for his country and his 30 goals made him Scotland’s all-time top scorer alongside Kenny Dalglish.

In 2021, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. His family said he fought a “tough battle” but was finally at peace.

Macpherson, now aged 90, commentated on Scottish football for more than four decades, including many Regulation matches.

“I got to know him a lot better when he stopped playing because he got involved in broadcasting,” he told BBC Radio. Good Morning Scotland Program.

“Denis was always sent north of the border for the big games and I literally traveled around the world with him for the European qualifiers and also the World Cups, particularly in Mexico.

“Consequently, because of the conversations we had, I felt like I was almost a close friend, not just someone who adored him as a gambler, which I was.”

Regulation was 15 when he first signed for Huddersfield City and was transferred to Manchester Metropolis five years later, in 1960, for £55,000.

A year later, he joined Italian side Torino for £110,000, but found it difficult to settle in Italy and moved to Manchester United for £115,000 in 1962, before ending his career with Metropolis in 1974.

Regulation was part of the United team that became the first in England to lift the European Cup in 1968, although he missed the final through injury.

It was sold for a British record fee three times during its career.

Macpherson recalled watching Regulation play for the first time in 1961 for Scotland against Czechoslovakia and said his eyes were “glazed by the brilliance of this man”.

The commentator said that when Regulation was capped for Scotland, he gave “credence” to the team.

“With Denis Regulation in the team you always felt like he could score a goal,” he said.

“As a result, I was respected and feared around the world, no matter where we played.”

He added: “I don’t think there is a child in Scotland, not even a baby in nappies, who could not imitate Denis’ spectacular congratulations and salutes to the stands with his arm raised and stiff in absolute triumph.”

The Sportscene presenter said he was “enlightened” to eventually work with one of his heroes when Regulation retired from the game and became a pundit.

“I was super upbeat every time I was with him,” she said.

“Some great footballers sometimes have dark sides; He had none of that. “He was a cheerful optimist and that is why the public loved him.”

Macpherson said fans adored the star player for his playful and outspoken personality, as well as his goal-scoring success.

“He always gave them what they wanted from him,” she said.

“I’ve seen him with a lot of people around him talking about football in the street, talking as if he were his uncle or grandfather.

“When you have a footballer whose communication skills extend from the football field to the corner store and bumping into people, then you get something special.”

He added: “When you talk about Denis Regulation and Scottish football, you are talking about one of the great love stories in the world of football.

“But even when he won awards across Europe, he was simply a companion to all the younger players on the team. “They were absolutely inspired by him.”

Denis Regulation’s first club, Huddersfield City, described their former player as a football “immortal”.

They said: “A legend not only of our great club, but an immortal of the sport as a whole, we will miss him deeply and we will all cherish his memory.”

Manchester United said everyone at the club was mourning the loss of the “King of the Stretford Finish”.

And they added: “He will always be celebrated as one of the club’s greatest and most beloved players.

“The top scorer, his style, spirit and love of the game made him the hero of a generation.”

Aberdeen, the team Denis Regulation supported all his life, said: “Everyone at Aberdeen FC is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Aberdeen-born football legend Denis Regulation.

“One of Scotland’s greatest players, his legacy will live on in the North East. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

The Scotland team called Regulation “a true great” and added: “We will never see the likes of him again.”