50th Anniversary of Munich Disaster

 

Today marks the 50^th anniversary of the Munich disaster, a tragedy built in to the very fabric of Manchester United.

8 of Manchester United’s legendary “Busby Babes” and 23 people in total, lost their lives that day, February 6 1958. Sir Matt Busby’s team, who were back to back English Champions, a team with an average age of just 22, were on their way back home to Manchester from a European tie against Red Star Belgrade. After a refueling stop in Munich BEA flight G-ALZU, on its third attempt at taking off, crashed, decimating a team that was arguable on its way to becoming the best ever Manchester United team, and one of the best club teams the world had ever seen.

The 8 Manchester United players who lost their lives were: Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Coleman, Duncan Edwards, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Liam Whelan. They will be remembered at a service at Old Trafford this afternoon that will be attended by current players, staff, families of those who past, as well as Munich survivors such as Sir Bobby Charlton, and many others connected to Manchester United.

A decade after the tragedy Manchester United were Englands first European Champions. A remarkable achievment considering the loss and truma of such an event.