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BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Man City | Fans want Munich silence re-think

Fans want Munich silence re-think
The memorial clock at Old Trafford shows the time of the air crash on 6 February 1958
The memorial clock at Old Trafford commemorates the disaster
Manchester City's official supporters club has written to Manchester United to ask for applause to mark the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.

A minute's silence is planned before the rivals' match at Old Trafford on 10 February to commemorate the 23 people who were killed in the plane crash.

But City fans feel applause would "drown out rather than highlight any idiot who does not show respect".

City have also urged their supporters to "uphold our good name".

Eight United stars and former City keeper Frank Swift were among those who lost their lives as a result of the crash, which happened on 6 February, 1958.

City's supporters group has written to both United and the Premier League ahead of the derby.

The letter says they "plead" with United to change their plans, adding: "Although there is some friendly rivalry between supporters of the two clubs, there is also a great deal of hatred.

"There will be some City fans who will not want to go along with the recognition of the disaster.

"We think it is obvious that if there is a minute's silence some fool will interrupt it and this will reflect very badly not only on Manchester United but on Manchester and football supporters in general."

However, United are believed to consider a minute's silence the most appropriate way to mark the anniversary of the disaster.

Manchester City's official stance is that they will support whatever decision United take.

They have also written to the 3,000 of their fans who have tickets for the derby to ask them to show respect.

The letter also points out that former City keeper Swift, who was working for the News of the World, was among those who died in the crash.

I find this intriguing. Who says that the divine way to honor people is to be silent? Why not honor and remember them with the loudest applause and cheers you can muster? As the City fans have stated, it would have its benefits. It may not be conventional, but I think it's smart because the rivalry WILL result in some idiocy which will be heard by all and may be very painful for some.