Munich remembered...
Feb. 6th, 2008 12:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
apieceofcakeOn February 6, 1958, the Manchester United football team was returning from a European Cup match they had played against Red Star Belgrade in the former Yugoslavia. The team drew the match 3-3 and had chartered a plane to bring them back to Britain.
The plane made a scheduled stop in Munich to re-fuel before the second leg of the journey. It made two failed attempts to take off from Munich because the plane’s engine was surging – a relatively common problem with the Elizabethan aircraft.
On the third attempt the plane crashed into the airport fence and then into a house. The wing and part of the tail were ripped off and the house caught fire.
Twenty one of those on board were killed on February 6, but within three weeks, two more had lost their battles to live.
Eight Manchester United players lost their lives as a result of the Munich air disaster on February 6, 1958. A further 15 club officials and journalists were also killed in the tragedy. Here skysports.com offers profiles of the players who died.
GEOFF BENT
Largely a reserve player, who was kept out of the side by first John Aston and then Byrne. The Salford-born full-back was handed his debut in the 1954-55 season but made only 12 First Division appearances for United. He was included on the trip to Munich only because Byrne was carrying a slight injury. He died aged 25.
ROGER BYRNE
The full-back was born in Manchester and made his debut for the Red Devils in the 1951-52 season, and impressed sufficiently to be the captain of Matt Busby's team. In total he made 245 appearances, scoring 17 goals, and died aged 28.
EDDIE COLMAN
Salford-born Colman was the youngest player to die in the tragedy, aged 21. He made 85 appearances, scoring once from right half.
DUNCAN EDWARDS
Many who saw him play believe he would have gone on to be the finest footballer ever seen. Dudley-born Edwards made his United debut as a 16-year-old in the 1951-52 season, becoming the youngest player to appear in a Football League game at the time. Broke a post-war record when making his England debut aged 18, and had won 18 caps in total. He died of his injuries aged 21, 15 days after the crash.
MARK JONES
Barnsley boy Jones made his debut in the 1950-51 season, and the centre-half made 103 appearances for the Red Devils and won two league titles. He died aged 24.
DAVID PEGG
A left-winger who won his first England cap nine months before the crash. Played in the 1957 FA Cup final and won two league titles with United, having made his first-team bow in 1952-53. He died aged 22.
TOMMY TAYLOR
Managed 22 goals in 46 games for home-town club Barnsley before joining United for a world-record fee just shy of £30,000. He had netted 112 in 166 games and he was also a prolific scorer for England, with 16 goals in 19 appearances. He died aged 26.
LIAM WHELAN
'Billy' Whelan was an inside forward who joined United from Irish side Home Farm, making his debut in the 1954-55 season. He was United's top scorer with 27 in the 1956-57 season. He died aged 22.
Words and pictures from MSN.
Today is also my parents wedding anniversary, if my mum was still with us it would have been their 48th.
The plane made a scheduled stop in Munich to re-fuel before the second leg of the journey. It made two failed attempts to take off from Munich because the plane’s engine was surging – a relatively common problem with the Elizabethan aircraft.
On the third attempt the plane crashed into the airport fence and then into a house. The wing and part of the tail were ripped off and the house caught fire.
Twenty one of those on board were killed on February 6, but within three weeks, two more had lost their battles to live.
Eight Manchester United players lost their lives as a result of the Munich air disaster on February 6, 1958. A further 15 club officials and journalists were also killed in the tragedy. Here skysports.com offers profiles of the players who died.
GEOFF BENT
Largely a reserve player, who was kept out of the side by first John Aston and then Byrne. The Salford-born full-back was handed his debut in the 1954-55 season but made only 12 First Division appearances for United. He was included on the trip to Munich only because Byrne was carrying a slight injury. He died aged 25.
ROGER BYRNE
The full-back was born in Manchester and made his debut for the Red Devils in the 1951-52 season, and impressed sufficiently to be the captain of Matt Busby's team. In total he made 245 appearances, scoring 17 goals, and died aged 28.
EDDIE COLMAN
Salford-born Colman was the youngest player to die in the tragedy, aged 21. He made 85 appearances, scoring once from right half.
DUNCAN EDWARDS
Many who saw him play believe he would have gone on to be the finest footballer ever seen. Dudley-born Edwards made his United debut as a 16-year-old in the 1951-52 season, becoming the youngest player to appear in a Football League game at the time. Broke a post-war record when making his England debut aged 18, and had won 18 caps in total. He died of his injuries aged 21, 15 days after the crash.
MARK JONES
Barnsley boy Jones made his debut in the 1950-51 season, and the centre-half made 103 appearances for the Red Devils and won two league titles. He died aged 24.
DAVID PEGG
A left-winger who won his first England cap nine months before the crash. Played in the 1957 FA Cup final and won two league titles with United, having made his first-team bow in 1952-53. He died aged 22.
TOMMY TAYLOR
Managed 22 goals in 46 games for home-town club Barnsley before joining United for a world-record fee just shy of £30,000. He had netted 112 in 166 games and he was also a prolific scorer for England, with 16 goals in 19 appearances. He died aged 26.
LIAM WHELAN
'Billy' Whelan was an inside forward who joined United from Irish side Home Farm, making his debut in the 1954-55 season. He was United's top scorer with 27 in the 1956-57 season. He died aged 22.
Words and pictures from MSN.
Today is also my parents wedding anniversary, if my mum was still with us it would have been their 48th.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-06 01:10 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-08 11:02 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-06 01:27 pm (UTC)I'm sure she must be proud of you :)
(many hugs)
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Date: 2008-02-08 11:03 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-06 01:47 pm (UTC)Thinking of you on your parents anniversary..
(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-08 11:05 am (UTC)Thanks hun :-)
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Date: 2008-02-06 02:01 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-08 11:05 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-06 02:04 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-08 11:05 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-06 02:54 pm (UTC)*hugs*
(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-08 11:06 am (UTC)*huggles back*
(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-06 05:12 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-08 11:07 am (UTC)And since...
(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-06 07:37 pm (UTC)lovely tribute post hon :)
(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-08 11:08 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-08 08:49 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-02-08 11:08 am (UTC)