Manchester remembers the fallen 'Busby Babes' fifty-four years on

By James Coldwell

Twenty-three people lost their lives in the Munich air disaster and over half a century has passed since the darkest day in Manchester United’s history.

On February 6, 1958, a charter plane carrying 44 people crashed at Munich’s Riem airport, claiming the lives of eight United players and three club officials.

Fifty-four years on and the harrowing memories of that fateful day are still sorely felt, not just at Old Trafford but across the world.

The team plane, which was flying back from a European Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade, stopped in Germany to refuel and after two aborted take-off attempts the aircraft crashed on the third causing 21 passengers to be killed instantly, leaving three more fatally injured. Two later died after sustaining critical injuries.

United player’s Roger Byrne, 28, Eddie Colman, 21, Mark Jones, 24, David Pegg, 22, Tommy Taylor, 26, Geoff Bent, 25, Liam Whelan, 22, all died, along with club secretary Walter Crickmer, trainer Tom Curry and coach Bert Whalley.

Eight journalists - Alf Clarke, Tom Jackson, Don Davies, George Fellows, Archie Ledbrook, Eric Thompson, Henry Rose, and Frank Swift, who was a former Manchester City player, also perished.

Sir Matt's friend Willie Satinoff, travel agent Bela Miklos and crew member Tom Cable also lost their lives.

Aeroplane captain Kenneth Rayment died a few weeks later from the injuries he sustained while United player, Duncan Edwards, passed away 15 days after the crash.

The tragedy is an indelible part of United's story, as is Sir Matt Busby remarkable achievement in overcoming his injuries to build another great team. A team that lifted the European Cup ten years later, for the first time in the club’s history.

Sir Matt took charge of United on February 19, 1945, at a time when becoming manager at Old Trafford was seen as somewhat of a daunting task but soon began changing the fortunes of the club, and soon the ‘Busby Babes’ were born.

A decade later and Sir Matt had turned the Red Devils into a force not only in England but in Europe, bringing a sense of optimism and excitability that had never been felt before among United fans. However, the ensuing events on February 6, 1958, meant the potential of the side would never be realised. A tragedy in itself.