MANCHESTER United and Glasgow Celtic football legend Paddy Crerand has released a book with a strong Trafford flavour.

The fiery Scotsman has lived in the borough for more than 40 years and had a pub in Altrincham for eight.

He's produced his autobiography with the help of Urmston writer and United We Stand fanzine editor Andy Mitten.

The combative midfielder, born in Glasgow in 1939, was brought to Manchester United by Sir Matt Busby in 1963 and for the following nine years provided the foundation that allowed the likes of Best, Charlton and Law to thrill.

In the same year as his move to United he married Noreen and the couple decided to set up home - with their three children Patrick, Lorraine and Danny - in Sale.

Paddy says his book Never Turn the Other Cheek' is about football and life in general.

So what does the title mean? "Well that's a working class thing from living and growing up in a city like Glasgow - if you hit the bullies they don't want to know and they won't bother you again.

"I've always stuck up for myself and I suppose that's how I played on the pitch as well. Football used to be much tougher than it is now - today you've only got to look at someone and you get booked."

For about eight years he was the landlord of The Park pub in Altrincham.

"When you've played football sometimes people can be a little bit shy with you. But running the pub was great fun and a good way to meet the terrific people that live in Trafford," he explains.

"There's a big Irish community in Trafford and we used to put music on for them and it was packed.

"Then there was a situation where the United players - such as Bryan Robson, Paul McGrath and Gordon McQueen - used to come for an hour or so after the game on a Saturday."

Today Paddy is still heavily involved with Manchester United and works for their television station MUTV'.

Next year is a massive one for the club. It's 40 years since the team Paddy played for won the European Cup and he says even more significantly' it's 50 years since the Munich air disaster.

Talking about the atmosphere at the club he joined in February 1963 he explained: "The focus and intention was Europe, always Europe. The lads who were there at the time of the crash wanted to achieve this more than anything.

"It would be absolutely fantastic if United were in Moscow for the Champions' League final next year and a fitting tribute to all the people who died at Munich."

He added: "Manchester United has got a great history and all the old players get together three of four times a year when we have a really good laugh.

"Unfortunately George (Best) and Shay (Brennan) have passed away - but everybody else will be there and we have such great memories of them."