UnitedZone Football Forums - View Single Post - The Flowers of Manchester: Munich Memorial

**Dirtycheat** · 02-03-2008, 11:58 AM

source: the telegraph

When British Airways flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off in treacherous weather at the Munich-Riem airport, taking the life of 23 of the 44 passengers on board, one of the finest teams in English football history was decimated.

Along with journalists, airline staff, club officials and a supporter, eight members of the team that had twice won the league title in style perished either at the site or later in hospital.

Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Liam 'Billy' Whelan all lost their young lives along with the most heralded Busby Babe of all, Duncan Edwards, who survived the crash but died in hospital 15 days later.

Duncan Edwards by Sir Matt Busby and Bobby Charlton

Sir Bobby Charlton, who survived the crash, has described Edwards as the best player he ever saw play the game. Aged just 21 at the time of his passing, Edwards had already won 18 caps for England, scoring five goals, and would, in all probability, have been a central figure in England's World Cup campaign eight years after the tragedy.

Manchester United vs Real Madrid 1957 European Cup

The United side that was so painfully torn apart was one of youthful bravura. Domestic champions in 1956, they became the first side from England to enter the European Cup. Losing to eventual winners Real Madrid at the semi-final stage, they had however served notice of their talent on the international stage.

Crvena Zvezda - Manchester United /In Memoriam "Busby Babes" (Final match together)

A second European Cup semi-final place had been assured after a 3-3 draw away to Red Star Belgrade the following year and it was on the homebound journey from that game that disaster struck.

Munich Air Crash news footage

The news was relayed home to a disbelieving public in England via Pathe news services, radio bulletins and newspaper reports, with Manchester's newspaper offices besieged by those eager to find out the latest news. The sense of grief, understandably, was most acutely felt in Manchester, where United and City supporters, as well as those with little or no interest in football all mourned together.

02-03-2008, 11:58 AM	#32 (permalink)
Dirtycheat Status: Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Posts: 1,661 Club Team: one guess Players: giggs, scholes, keane, ole, neville vCash: 2714 Thanks: 732 Thanked 685 Times in 275 Posts	Busby Babes Media source: the telegraph When British Airways flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off in treacherous weather at the Munich-Riem airport, taking the life of 23 of the 44 passengers on board, one of the finest teams in English football history was decimated. Along with journalists, airline staff, club officials and a supporter, eight members of the team that had twice won the league title in style perished either at the site or later in hospital. Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Liam 'Billy' Whelan all lost their young lives along with the most heralded Busby Babe of all, Duncan Edwards, who survived the crash but died in hospital 15 days later. Duncan Edwards by Sir Matt Busby and Bobby Charlton Sir Bobby Charlton, who survived the crash, has described Edwards as the best player he ever saw play the game. Aged just 21 at the time of his passing, Edwards had already won 18 caps for England, scoring five goals, and would, in all probability, have been a central figure in England's World Cup campaign eight years after the tragedy. Manchester United vs Real Madrid 1957 European Cup The United side that was so painfully torn apart was one of youthful bravura. Domestic champions in 1956, they became the first side from England to enter the European Cup. Losing to eventual winners Real Madrid at the semi-final stage, they had however served notice of their talent on the international stage. Crvena Zvezda - Manchester United /In Memoriam "Busby Babes" (Final match together) A second European Cup semi-final place had been assured after a 3-3 draw away to Red Star Belgrade the following year and it was on the homebound journey from that game that disaster struck. Munich Air Crash news footage The news was relayed home to a disbelieving public in England via Pathe news services, radio bulletins and newspaper reports, with Manchester's newspaper offices besieged by those eager to find out the latest news. The sense of grief, understandably, was most acutely felt in Manchester, where United and City supporters, as well as those with little or no interest in football all mourned together. __________________ great ava by codd1e Quality > Quantity which is why we give active members who post quality, media and pic room access. 3 Day SPOILER Rule please read Last edited by Dirtycheat; 02-03-2008 at 12:04 PM.