A Blue View of the Munich Air Crash, by Dr. Raymond Ashton

A BLUE VIEW OF THE MUNICH AIR CRASH

BY DR.RAYMOND ASHTON

FEBRUARY 6TH 1958

65 YEARS

65TH ANNIVERSARY

Introduction

Many books have been written about the Munich Air Crash; most of them repeat the main events surrounding it. Quite rightly, they go over the events of the 6th February 1958; how the plane took off three times - the third time crashing into a house at the end of the runway; the survivors; the dead; how Harry Gregg went back into the plane to rescue a baby and her mother, the subsequent death, after a heroic fight to live against all odds, of Duncan Edwards; the last rites (on more than one occasion) administered to Sir Matt Busby; and the heroic interim job done by Jimmy Murphy (the Assistant Manager) whilst Sir Matt was recovering. The question might be asked: ‘What can a Blue contribute to the story that hasn’t been said before?’

The next section of this brochure will look at where this Blue starts. The third will look at the tragic accident from a Blue point of view. The Fourth section will look at the immediate aftermath, whilst the final section will focus on the revival that led to United winning the European Cup some ten years after the tragic accident.

One of two stained glass windows in St Francis Parish Church in Duncan Edwards’ home town of Dudley showing the player in his United shirt

Roger Byrne (left) and Eddie Colman with the trophy on the open top bus tour of the city centre.

The coach in Albert Square where the team was presented to the Mayor and various other dignitaries.

The events leading up to Munich

I ask the question: ‘Where was this Blue when he heard about the accident?’ It was Thursday 6th February 1958, the day I attended piano lessons after school. I heard about it from a school friend on the way after learning of the result of Wales v Israel, confirming Wales’s entry into the World Cup Finals in Sweden. Significantly, the Welsh manager was Jimmy Murphy, who had taken the Wales team and by definition had not gone on the trip to Munich. Communications then were more sparse and many people were reliant on sketchy information on the radio and in the newspapers about the accident. In those days it was still unusual for a family to have a television! Despite this, considerable news coverage appeared in all the newspapers, in radio bulletins and, for those lucky enough, the television.

One boy, not a football man by any means, did provide solace by saying he could see how upset I was. Later in life I was told by a fanatical City director who had heroically served in action in the Second World War that he had cried like a baby when he had heard the terrible news. This was a director who could not bring himself to identify Manchester United but referred to them as Stretford Rangers. My sole consolation was that my idol was the German City goalkeeper, Bert Trautmann, who was my point of reference for the undoubted heroics (not to say bravery) of Harry Gregg, who had recently signed as goalie for United for a world record fee and who had gone back into the combustible plane without regard for his own safety and rescued a baby and its mother, as well as Bobby Charlton and Dennis Viollet. Just as I had a goalkeeper as my idol at City, I acquired another in the form of Harry Gregg. George Best commented: ‘Bravery is one thing, but what Harry did was more than bravery, it was about goodness.’

My grieving was largely carried out in private and by prodigious reading of all the material relating to the crash and the victims. Is this the beginning of the story? No, it starts earlier during my first bout of meningitis (when I was off school for nearly two years), although the second strain was fiercer than the first. Whilst in hospital with the first bout I had witnessed on the TV the heroics of Bert Trautmann in the 1956 Cup Final against Birmingham. During this enforced hospitalisation, I first witnessed the death of another child in the next room, a truly harrowing experience and one of my abiding memories. The other is the pain of the lumber punctures I received, although this was of course nothing in comparison with the pain suffered by those injured in the crash, such as Duncan Edwards who - as stated above - defied the odds by living so long after suffering kidney failure following the crash.

It was only the next day at school that I felt the full impact. The United supporters were huddled together transfixed with grief and seemingly impervious to a Blue being upset by the events of the previous day.

From my collection; Photograph of United players before the 1957 Cup Final (including two reserves) and various player autographs (authenticated).

An image taken from the Souvenir Album presented to Duncan Edwards by the Manchester Evening Chronicle after the Busby Babes won the League in 1955/56. This was the team’s first League Championship win since 1952.

The starting point for me is a visit to the North of England (during the 1956/57 season) for a school interview as a prospective boarder. On looking at the newspapers I noticed that Leeds United were playing the Busby Babes. Despite the dour Northern atmosphere and surroundings I persuaded those with charge and conduct of me to take me to Elland Road to watch a resurgent Leeds United (including John Charles) and Manchester United (with Duncan Edwards) on 30th March. This was despite all the hype even then of all things United! Coming from the small island of Guernsey the first thing I noticed was the sheer size of the crowd which was in excess of 50,000! The persistence with which I pursued my goal of attending the game was worthy of my efforts to get into the sixth form a year early so that I could bunk off school and watch City! I certainly cannot remember much about the game, which United won 2-1, other than the impact of John Charles for Leeds and Duncan Edwards for United.

The other memorable moments of that season are United’s exploits in Europe. For interested readers, United had entered the European Cup (now Champions League) in defiance of the Football League dictator Alan Hardaker who had warned United that if they did not return from their European venture in time to play the league games they would lose points, indeed he would persuade Sir Matt Busby to request the last and ultimately fatal take off attempt. Whilst Hardaker was against United’s venture, Sir Stanley Rous of the FA was a keen (and staunch) supporter of the European Cup. In the end this had persuaded the authorities to allow United into the competition.

Despite it being United’s first time in the European Cup they reached the semi-final, being defeated by Real Madrid on aggregate 5-3, despite Sir Matt watering the pitch at Old Trafford to give United an advantage for the second leg! Although United lost 3-1 in Madrid they fought back at Old Trafford after being two goals down. The main talking point in the first game was the Spanish newspapers and reports which favourably reported on the exploits of Roger Byrne and, yes, who else but Duncan Edwards, then only 20 - this against a galaxy of stars such as Puskas, de Stefano, and Santamaria, to name a few.

The match that really caught the public’s imagination was the game against Athletic Club when United won 6-5 on aggregate - after losing heavily in Bilbao - at Maine Road, as Old Trafford did not have flood lights. The other significant event that season was that United were runaway winners of the League by 11 points from Tottenham. The surprising feature of the season was United’s loss in the Cup Final to Villa, 2-1. The significance of this was that Villa had been the last winners of the double.

A United team picture in 1957/58 - the second consecutive season they finished top

United being led out at Wembley in 1957 by Sir Matt Busby

Bert Trautmann (back, centre) and the Manchester City team from: Century City - A record of the historic 1957/1958 season, by David Wallace

United lining up for the match in Belgrade the day before the crash

The Cup Final was marred by an early injury to Ray Wood, the United goalie. United were reduced to ten for nearly 20 minutes and then had to play with a player who, through no fault of his own, was largely a passenger. To accommodate the injury to Wood, the centre half, Jackie Blanchflower volunteered and went in goal whilst Duncan Edwards moved to centre half. In the heat of Wembley and the one man difference Villa scored twice before a dramatic change in circumstances.

The injured Wood went in goal and Edwards was given a free role to attack. Despite heroic attempts to get back into the game and, after getting a consolation goal five minutes before the end (and an effort against the bar), Villa held out. It must be said that Villa played at the top of their game whereas United appeared affected by a severe bout of nerves on the day.

The season ended a little disappointingly in terms of the Cups but this was United’s first year in the European Cup. Against this, the great Real Madrid side was ageing and United had gained valuable experience that year in Europe. In addition, United strengthened the side by signing in December 1957 a world class goalkeeper (for a world record fee for a goalie), Harry Gregg. United had at least four world class players Byrne, Edwards, Taylor and Charlton. Had the Munich disaster not have occurred I could have seen them beating Real Madrid and going on to dominate Europe for many years. This point makes the tragic events of the crash even more poignant.

Thus the scene was set for United to mount a stronger attack on the European Cup in 1957 /58. It must also be borne in mind that the superhuman Edwards had gained experience as a result of his first European season.

Duncan Edwards signing an autograph at Highbury, at United’s last League match before the crash (against Arsenal), held on 1st February 1958. The pages on the left are from that match day programme.

Arsenal match day programme, United’s last League match before the crash.

The events leading up to the crash1

Monday 3rd February 1958

United travelled from Manchester bound for Belgrade with a stop over in Munich. Following problems with the scheduled flights previously, United decided to charter a plane for both legs of the journey to Belgrade and back. The team that played against Arsenal, Gregg Foulkes, Byrne, Colman, Jones, Edwards, Morgans, Charlton, Taylor, Viollet and Scanlon were joined by Bent, Berry, Blanchflower, Pegg, Whelan and Wood.

Ronnie Cope was originally schedule to travel with the team but was replaced by Bent at the last minute when it was discovered that Byrne was struggling with a thigh injury. United’s strength in depth is reflected in the reserves that travelled: only Geoff Bent was not an international. United Assistant Manager Jimmy Murphy, was not with the party as he was at Cardiff for the vital World Cup qualifying match against Israel. His place on the plane was taken by Bert Whalley who tragically died.

Tuesday 4th February

The United group had a training session at the Red Star Stadium and then travelled to the Stadium of The People’s Army of Yugoslavia for an inspection of the pitch which was very hard. The freezing conditions in Belgrade abated a little and a gradual thaw was under way leaving the pitch rock solid underneath but with a couple of inches of melting snow on top. The game was expected to go ahead as planned with all 60,000 tickets sold, but conditions underfoot for the players would be testing to say the least.

Wednesday 5th February

Red Star Belgrade 3 Manchester U 3 Kostić (2), Tasić (pen) Viollet, Charlton (2)

The United team was the same as at Arsenal, Gregg, Foulkes, Byrne, Colman, Jones, Edwards, Morgans, Charlton, Taylor, Viollet, Scanlon.

A summary of the game

Initially United dominated the game and after only ninety seconds Viollet evaded a tackle and scored.

After a quarter of an hour Charlton had a goal disallowed: shortly after in a five man move Charlton’s shot went into the left hand corner of the goal. Just after that Kostić had a chance to pull a goal back but it went wide of the post.

Red Star Belgrade vs Manchester United ticket

Reds captain Roger Byrne exchanges pennants with his opposite number ahead of the game between Red Star Belgrade and United

Red Star Belgrade programme produced for the game against United

¹This section draws on the material contained in Manchester United in Tears by J Paul Harrison, Austin Macanley Publishers 2017

For the third goal the ball had not been particularly well cleared by a defender and it rolled to Charlton by the penalty spot and he made no mistake with his shot.

The home side were completely demoralised as the teams left the field at half time. All was to change two minutes after the restart as Red Star pulled a goal back. Kostić struck the ball inside Gregg’s right hand post. Three minutes later the Yugoslavs should have had a second goal but this time Kostićs shot was too high.

In the 55th minute Tasić scored a second from the penalty spot following a Red Star player appearing to fall over Foulkes but the referee thought otherwise. At 2-3 the home supporters were more vocal and roared their side forward. At times the atmosphere was hostile and supporters pushing forward threatened to burst over the concrete walls.

Under pressure United still found time to counter attack and Morgans, despite obviously struggling with an injury, was unlucky to see his shot hit the post. As the game drew towards the close it looked as though the United defence would hold out.

With minutes remaining the game was levelled, Gregg had gathered the ball near the edge of his penalty area but his momentum carried him beyond the area. From the resulting free kick Kostić hit the ball to the left hand side of goal and, despite getting both hands to it, Gregg was unable to prevent it entering the net.

Red Star had pulled back but United were through to the semi-final, despite the second half lapse.

Thursday 6th February

The United party were in good spirits at breakfast after securing a place in the semi-final of the European Cup for the second conservative season. They began the first leg of their return journey on a chartered twin engine British European Airways aircraft at 9am, arriving at Munich airport at 12 noon to be greeted snow, strong winds and freezing temperatures. The 38 passengers and 6 crew members disembarked and had a two hour break before the final boarding call at 2pm which hurried them back together for the return leg to Manchester. Captain Rayment, the co-pilot, was at the controls and at 14.19 GMT he received clearance to proceed down the runway. When full power was reached his colleague in the cockpit, Captain Thain noticed the engines did not sound right and at this point Captain Rayment abandoned the take off. A few minutes later a second attempt was made, but the engines seemed to be running too fast and take off was once again aborted. The passengers returned to the airport lounge. Snow was falling heavily and with a further attempt seemed very unlikely. Duncan Edwards sent a telegram to his landlady to say he would not be home until Friday.

The station engineer, came to the cockpit to find out exactly what had happened. He said that the engines could be re-tuned which would delay the flight until the following day. After further discussions it was agreed that a third attempt to take off should be made, but this time the throttles should be opened more slowly.

The last picture before the crash

Red Star Belgrade goalkeeper Vladimir Beara saving a shot

After only a matter of minutes the passengers returned to the plane and some of the players decided to change seats, moving to the back of the plane which they felt was safer. Liam Whelan on the third attempt with his rosary beads declared that he was ready to meet his maker.

The aircraft began its journey down the runway just after 3pm GMT and gathered speed, but the port engine began to surge again. There was no time to abandon the take off as the aircraft had not reached the minimum speed needed to lift it off the ground.

It was too late. The plane crashed into a fence before hitting a house causing the port wing to be torn off. The left side of the cockpit hit a tree and the plane’s tail ripped away. Still moving, the plane hit a wooden hut following which there was an explosion as the building had housed a truck filled with tyres and fuel.

Captain Thain ordered his crew to evacuate the plane and move away, fearing more explosions. Still in a part of the plane, Harry Gregg came round and found himself lying on his side with blood on his face. He immediately went for a shaft of light coming through a hole in the side of the plane which he kicked through to make larger. Captain Thain saw him and told him to run for it, but Gregg had heard a cry. Clambering back into the wreckage, without considering his own life, he found a baby under some debris incredibly still alive. He passed the baby to a crew member who had returned to the plane and then went back in (yet again!) and found a woman, the baby’s mother, very badly injured. He managed, somehow, to manoeuvre her through a hole to safety. His colleague Bill Foulkes had lost consciousness and Captain Thain urged him to get out. There was a fear the plane could explode at any moment, though Gregg ignored this when he returned to the plane.

Bobby Charlton and Dennis Viollet, were alive but dazed and injured when Gregg somehow managed to drag them away from what was left of the front of the aircraft. Whilst it seemed an eternity it was only a few minutes before local people arrived followed by the airport emergency services. Someone arrived in a vehicle, a sort of converted wagon, and implored passengers to get in. Johnny Berry, Jackie Blanchflower and Matt Busby were carried on board the vehicle. Bill Foulkes, Harry Gregg, Bobby Charlton and Dennis Viollet were able to climb on. The Rechts der Isar hospital it resembled a war zone, and the dead and injured continued to arrive with the staff doing everything possible to treat the injured.

Eventually, after helping with the identification of survivors and bodies, Bill Foulkes and Harry Gregg were told to leave for the Stathus Hotel where rooms had been arranged for them together with newspaper staff Ted Ellyard and Peter Howard.

Later that evening the names of the players known to have survived was announced – Berry, Blanchflower, Busby, Charlton, Edwards, Foulkes, Gregg, Morgans, Scanlon, Viollet and Wood. The announcer then used the words. “The following players and officials are unaccounted for” and read out a list of names. All those listening were fearful of what this meant.

Friday 7th February

The newspapers were now able to report the true extent of the tragedy with 21 out of the 44 passengers and crew on board killed in the disaster.

The list of those who died were as follows:

(a) Players - Geoffrey Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Liam Whelan.

(b) Club officials – Walter Crickmer (Secretary), Tommy Curry (Trainer) and Bert Whalley (Coach).

(c) A number of sports writers and a prominent supporter Willie Satinoff.

John Berry – Shock, head lacerations, fractured cheek bone, condition unchanged.

Duncan Edwards – Shock, fractured ribs on the right side, compound of the right leg, condition – better. Unfortunately despite a heroic and unbelievable fight he ultimately lost his battle and died a few days later.

Jackie Blanchflower – Fracture of right lower arm, shock, suspected injuries, condition – unchanged.

Dennis Viollet – Concussion, head lacerations, condition – good.

Ken Morgans – Concussion, shock, condition – good.

Albert Scanlon – Shock, skull fracture, condition –satisfactory.

Ray Wood – Bruises and flesh wounds, condition –good.

Bobby Charlton – Slight head injuries, condition –good.

Professor Maurer, at the Isar Hospital, stated that five were critically ill – Matt Busby, Duncan Edwards and John Berry, together with Rayment and Frank Taylor of the News Chronicle. He also stated that in the case of Duncan Edwards it could be years before he would regain full use of his legs, if ever.

Eventually Matt Busby returned to manage United very successfully but Johnny Berry and Jackie Blanchflower never played again. Bobby Charlton as everyone knows had a stellar career but the others were less successful. Kenny Morgans and to some extent Albert Scanlon never recovered the form of pre Munich whilst Ray Wood and Dennis Viollet played successfully at Huddersfield and Stoke respectively.

Saturday 8th February

The morning papers carried the following reports on the condition of the players and officials still in hospital:

Matt Busby – Shock, fracture of right foot, open wound on right knee injuries – condition a little worse.

Dennis Viollet is visited by Bill Foulkes in the Munich hospital

The Blue reaction to the crash

Obviously the whole city (and nation) was in a state of shock and deeply affected by the crash. This can be seen by the extract from the City programme on 15th February 1958 (below). David Wallace, author of Century City, Manchester City Football Club 1957/58, was 15 at the time of the disaster and was at that match. Below are his recollections:

“It was pouring down. I didn’t switch to the Kippax, but watched it from the perimeter wall at the scoreboard end. The band played Abide With Me (I think) and all in the main stand stood up removed their hats and sang it with heads bowed. It made

the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. The rain continued unabated and the game was called off in the fortieth minute, the pitch a quagmire. It was as though the heavens were sending a tearful message of sympathy to Manchester.”

What is not recognised by many of today’s younger generation is that City suffered, albeit not as much as United, as a result of the crash. Sir Matt Busby, who was severely injured, had played for City 227 times over the period 1929-1935, in the Cup Final in 1933 (when City lost), and against Portsmouth in 1934 - when City ran out eventual winners 2-1 after being a goal down (as in 1956,

after being defeated the previous year). Whilst Sir Matt Busby left shortly afterwards, another player was not as fortunate: the legendary goalkeeper Frank Swift, who unfortunately died in the crash. During the take-off he was trying to ease everyone’s nerves by making light of the unfortunate situation (see below for more on this). Over the period 1932-1949 he played 375 times for City (134 in the war), being capped 19 times (and 14 during the war). Frank Swift was a good friend of Sir Matt and in books and articles stated that he appreciated all the help Sir Matt had given him as a younger player in the Cup Final.

Billy Foulkes leading out the team for the first match after Munich against Sheffield Wednesday in the cup. The third player in the line is another Munich survivor - Harry Gregg. There was a sell out crowd on what was an emotional night. United won the game and ended up at Wembley where they lost 2-0 to Bolton.

The Blue reaction to the crash (cont)

After his celebrated playing career as a goalkeeper of the same quality as Gordon Banks, Frank Swift became a reporter for the News of the World. Frank Taylor, (another reporter) an eye witness, in his celebrated book, The Day a Team Died, records the period when the players were taken back to the airport lounge: The comics Frank Swift and Eric Thompson (“Eric”), who was small and round, were fooling around. Eric had picked up Big Swifty’s overcoat and was shuffling around the room like a lost grisly bear, the coat almost trailing the floor, the arms hanging hugely by his sides. Big Swifty was trying to cram his massive torso into Eric’s coat. “Must have shrunk” he was saying with that gormless grin so famous in the sporting world. “Or maybe I’ve grown on this trip.” It appears that he had entertained some of the passengers with stories from his playing career - no doubt in the presence of Sir Matt. 'Swifty', as he was called, was extremely popular both amongst the players and his fellow journalists. Indeed such was the closeness of the Swift and Busby families that Mrs Swift was at the house of Sir Matt shortly after the crash. It should also be remembered and reiterated that in those days many players were local and knew each other extremely well. For instance Steve Fleet, the reserve goalie at City, records in Gary James’s book, Manchester - A Football History: “It is one of those events that make you realise that life itself is a greater game than football. It matures you. It makes you realise what life is all about and though it’s difficult at the time to understand, it did actually put football in its place. Football was not important in the weeks that followed the crash.

“I had lots of friends at United, but Eddie Colman was my best friend. Up to his death we were as close as anybody could be, he was going to be the best man at my wedding. When he died it was terrible. Eddie lived in Archie Street - the inspiration for Coronation Street - and I lived close by. On the night of the crash we all congregated at his house and we waited for news. None of us had a telephone in those days, so the only way we could find out what was happening was by going to the off-licence down the road and calling United. I kept going off to do it. Les Olive was answering the ‘phone at Old Trafford and said to me: “Steve, I know you’re very close to his family, can you tell them that Eddie’s gone”. I then had to go back to Eddie’s house and tell his mum and dad - something

you never think you will have to do, especially at that age. His dad couldn’t accept it. He said I must be wrong. he went down to the offlicence and made a call himself. it was awful, but that was the way it was for a lot of people. “This is a very poignant description of the situation demonstrating the bonds between the two sets of players. The following day the City players met at Maine Road and Bert Trautmann rushed to see Steve Fleet: “Bert understood more than anyone how I felt about losing Eddie. He taught me how to handle grief and come to terms with it. It was not easy but Bert had such humility and a caring attitude he helped me tremendously to overcome one of the worst periods of my life. He also offered to help United in any way he could. You see, we all knew the United players. We’d socialise with them, and they were just like us. Bobby Charlton, when he was living in digs, would sometimes come to our house for his tea. We were all close - Red or Blue didn’t come into it”. Perhaps the final words summarise the situation - Red or Blue didn’t come into it. German-national Bert contacted United and offered to help with translation, contacts and with whatever was felt they needed. Despite their grief, the City players were told they had to carry on with their own preparations for Saturday’s League game at Spurs. Cliff Lloyd, secretary of the Manchester based PFA, had called for the suspension of the weekend’s gamessomething City’s players, and those of other clubs in the region, desperately wanted - but within 24 hours of the crash the League insisted that only United’s game would be called off.

All the City and Tottenham players wore black armbands and, full of emotion they lined up for a two minute silence which was impeccably observed by all fans. Only four days later Ken Branagan, Dave Ewing, Joe Hayes, Roy Little and others would attend the funeral of Gorton born United captain (and world class full back) Roger Byrne. It wasn’t the only funeral they attended, but it does indicate that the players’ thoughts were hardly on a game that most players across the country had wanted called off. David Clayton in United City - Manchester after Munich, writes the following: "the great Bert Trautmann - a man with first hand knowledge of death and destruction on a huge scale thanks to his wartime service on the Russian Front - weighed in with a heartfelt article for the Evening News."

Frank Swift

The Blue reaction to the crash (cont)

“I still find it hard to believe that these men whose hands I’d held in friendship so long won’t be here anymore. We all feel that way about it at Maine Road. It has struck us very hard because although we were possibly United’s strongest rivals, we were also neighbours, which means friends.” His sentiments were echoed by the City captain, Dave Ewing: “Anything we can do to help in any way we shall do with all our hearts,” which was replicated by all fans of a light-blue persuasion. The Chronicle noted that the wave of sympathy engulfing the city stemmed also from the ‘other place: Maine Road’. Les Harruup, (35) of Alpine Street, Clayton, and a City supporter, told the paper: “It is a great tragedy and I sympathise with all those who are left behind.”

Again, another quote from David Clayton’s book: “Then there came the news that every Manchester United fan (indeed everyone in England) had been dreading. Duncan Edwards was dead. The medical team in Germany, noting his superhuman will to live, had dared to hope that his almost unique courage would pull him through. It was not to be. At quarter past two on the morning of 21 February 1958, he passed away. The cause of death was kidney failure, those vital organs could function no longer. Only some of his team-mates in the hospital were told: Dennis Viollet, Ray Wood, Ken Morgans and Albert Scanlon, all of whom survived Munich, and they wept bitterly when told of the unfortunate death. The others - Johnny Berry, Jackie Blanchflower and Sir Matt - were simply too ill to be disturbed, although all three men would eventually make it back to England. The blue side of the city was also quick to eulogise the man and the City captain, the redoubtable and indomitable Dave Ewing said it was:

“One of the greatest tragedies of soccer. Here was a boy who was by far the greatest half-back I’ve ever seen - and he was not yet at his peak. His death is a blow English soccer will feel for years.”

A well-known picture of Duncan Edwards on the front page of a famous football magazine. The magazine went on sale just hours before Edwards died and the pictured insert was produced to accompany the publication as a result.

The aftermath until 1968

The game against Sheffield Wednesday shortly after the crash is legendary with many people unable to get in as indeed was the case along the path to Wembley where United lost to Bolton 2-0. Ironically Dennis Stevens who played for Bolton was a cousin of Duncan Edwards, a poignant reminder for the Bolton player. Controversy followed that game when Nat Lofthouse seemed to unfairly challenge Harry Gregg for the second goal. The gallant work getting United there was that of Jimmy Murphy, a tough talking Welshman. His role in the aftermath should not be underestimated nor in the revival which followed. By the time of the final Sir Matt was able to attend - an occasion more sombre than previous years.

In the immediate years after the crash United’s fortunes were mixed after finishing second in 1958/59. This proved to be temporary and United fell to fourth from the bottom of the First Division in 1962/63, despite acquiring Denis Law and Pat Crerand. However, revival was in sight as they beat Leicester in the Cup in 1963 when these two players had terrific games. I was there with my best friend from Stretford Grammar. I was supporting Leicester but United really played well by contrast to Leicester (who finished the league in fourth place). In my view, this was the start of the revival which later saw the emergence of George Best and eventually the team entering the Championship nervously in 1965. The other feature of this period was that United appeared five times in the Semi-Final between 1961/1962 and 1965/66.

United nearly made it in 1965/66, reaching the SemiFinal of the European Cup, however, after winning the League in 1966/67 they finally won the European Cup in 1967/68 (against Benfica). This was truly an emotional night for Sir Matt ten years after the tragedy - hosting the partners of the 1958 team. It had been his decision to enter Europe and to hire the plane that was to bring back the team to Manchester and he felt he was responsible for the events which happened. Bobby Charlton was unable to attend the reception and went straight to his room with, no doubt, all too vivid memories of the tragedy. The match did prove the statement in the first programme after Munich: United will go on. The last word should perhaps be about Duncan Edwards and it comes from Tommy Docherty who played for Scotland against England (and Edwards) in 1957. He said to me that we didn’t really see the best of him; sentiments everyone would echo even though the outcome of seeing the best of him would have been terrifying for the opponents.

Terry Venables once said that Bobby Moore was a world class player but Edwards would have displaced him, albeit such was the class of Moore that he would have played, but in a different position.

The City players at Tottenham paying their respects on the Saturday after Munich; one can only guess their thoughts, especially those of the last man on the right, the Captain. Dave Ewing.

Conclusion

Where do you start? I will begin by saying that the European Champions League is the ‘holy grail’ at United for the reasons explained above. It took the team five years to get back on the come back trail after Munich and a further five to win the European Cup. It was fitting that Sir Bobby Charlton was the captain and that Billy Foulkes, a survivor, also played. In that team I feel the three players who made the difference were Crerand, Law and Best. Regrettably Law was injured for the final. However, I think great credit should be given to the chairman at the time of Munich, a solicitor and amateur footballer, Harold Hardman. He did not go on the trip as a fellow director died before the famous game with Arsenal the Saturday before the European Cup match, and Hardman had to attend the deceased director’s funeral. The other man who deserves much credit is Louis Edwards who was co-opted on to the board immediately after Munich. Without their dedication (and the other members of the Board such as James Gibson) United would not have attained their goal so soon. Given the age of Harold Hardman and James Gibson at that time, their feat is truly spectacular.

The second point is that had Byrne, Taylor, Edwards and Colman survived, England almost certainly would have won the World Cup and United the European Cup. They were all one year older from the previous year as opposed to the ageing Real Madrid team who were beginning to show their age and loss of speed. We will never know, but we can say that United were not only

more experienced but also had bought the goalie who was voted the best goalkeeper in the 1958 World Cup. Great credit must go to a ‘Blue’ in the form of Sir Matt Busby who put together a team to win the European Cup, albeit not as good as the Busby Babes. His record as a manager is truly fantastic and he was aided admirably by the underrated Jimmy Murphy and the recently deceased coach, Jack Crompton.

The poignancy of the aftermath of Munich is summed up by a City fan who said, as per David Clayton’s book, Manchester Stories:

On behalf of thousands of City supporters our deepest sympathy in the air disaster that overtook ‘our pride of the world - Manchester United’. we send deepest sympathy to the bereaved families of those footballers, officials and sports writers who lost their lives. Just Blue.

I had bunked University during the day to watch United train at the ground and also was at the game in the evening. This was the ‘holy grail’ for United after ten years, and was a very emotional night for the team’s older supporters. Given the ‘bunking’ I did from school and University, it is a surprise what I have been able to achieve!

The 50th anniversary derby

This is one of my favourite pictures as it literally (and uniquely) captures the fans of both clubs in unison before the derby at Old Trafford which coincided with the 50th anniversary of the crash. Both clubs were apprehensive before the match about possible attention seekers who might ruin the day by one means or another. Happily this was not the case and the silence was impeccably observed by both sets of fans. It was the proudest moment of my life as a City Supporter to see the fans (and United’s) observe the occasion in a sombre and dignified manner.

Manchester United manager Matt Busby lifting the European Cup, 1968.

Bobby Charlton lifting the European cup, 1968

The 50th Anniversary - the scarves of both clubs in unison taken from Manchester, a Football History by Gary James.

Recent times

Obviously United have very close ties with Munich: these of course started with the crash and have continued over the years with friendly matches, culminating with the epic European Champions League Final in 1999, City have been less fortunate over that period. However, as a result of qualifying for the Champions League in 2011, they were drawn in the same group as Bayern Munich. A new airport has replaced the one in use at the time of the Munich disaster, however there is memorial in the area where the crash took place, and a commemorative wreath was placed at the memorial. A number of retired players including Brian Kidd (who played in the 1968 final against Benfica) were present, and former skipper - Tony Book, Mike Summerbee, and Joe Corrigan. In April 2023, City were drawn against Bayern Munich again, representatives of the club and prominent supporters attended the memorial, see picture below.

Memorial

In 2004, Manchester United built a lasting memorial on the spot where the accident took place. A new street name was formed - Manchesterplatz. It is a square between two streets, with no buildings or features at all apart from the monument. It is tucked away a short walk from the U- and S-Bahn station Trudering.

To reach it from the station, go to Birthälmerstr, then right to Kirchtruderingerstr, which turns into Emplstr. on the corner of Rappenweg. If asking for directions from locals, ask for Kirchtruderingerstr, which is much better known.

And just 50 metres away is open grounds and the way to the Munich Riem fairgrounds, with the old airport in the background. Plenty of pause for thought when thinking back to events of 1958.

With Raymond is Manchester City’s Chief Football Operations Officer Omar Berrada, and Managing Director (Operations) Danny Wilson.

Billy Foulkes

A survivor of the crash he was, thankfully, like Harry Gregg, largely unhurt and became the captain of United afterwards. He died at the age of 81 and at the time of Munich was 26, and 36 when he played against Benfica in the European Cup in 1968. Billy was a very strong defender who played in many derby days and was widely respected by fans from both clubs. He played 688 games for United and as such only Ryan Giggs, Sir Bobby Charlton and Paul Scholes have played more. During his celebrated career he played once for England against Northern Ireland and won one Cup Winners medal, four Championship medals and a European Cup medal. He was a ferocious tackler and a man mountain who will be sorely missed.

Bobby Charlton

Regretfully Bobby is very ill and unable to attend his beloved United, he was a fabulous player who in many ways was presented with a golden opportunity to shine after Munich. Former United teammate Johnny Giles had no doubt about how good he was and has said he was the best player he ever saw.

This is a superb picture of Billy Foulkes leading out his colleagues to training at Old Trafford. On the far left is Dennis Viollet, a survivor of Munich who was transferred to Stoke just before the Cup Final against Leicester in 1963; Jackie Blanchflower, the brother of Danny who was severely injured at Munich and never played again for United; and, last but not least, my hero - Duncan Edwards.

Publications referred to/images used within this brochure:

The classic book on the crash is the The Day a Team Died by reporter Frank Taylor who was on the plane, although it is obviously harrowing in places. Published by Souvenir Press and reprinted in 2008.

Manchester’s Finest by David Hall, published by Transword in 2008.

The Busby Babes by Max Arthur, published by Mainstream Publishing Company (Edinburgh) Ltd 2008.

The Lost Babes by Jeff Connor, published by Harper Collins in 2006, contains a very moving account of Liam Whelan who did not survive.

Manchester - A Football History by Gary James, published by James Ward in 2008.

Manchester United 1958-1968

Rising from the Wreckage by Iain McCartney, Published by Amberley

Publishing in 2013

A number of books written by survivors of the crash: Billy Foulkes, Harry Gregg and Sir Bobby Charlton all give dignified accounts of their experience at Munich. It is difficult to choose between the three but Sir Bobby Charlton is extremely good on Duncan Edwards and very modest about his own achievements.

ABOUT RAYMOND

Dr.Raymond Ashton was brought up in Guernsey but finished his secondary education in the North of England, bunking off school watching City! A passionate Manchester City fan since the age of eight, Raymond’s love of football extends to clubs and individual players at all levels.

In this brochure Raymond looks at the events leading up to the disaster at Munich in February 1958, and those of the following weeks and years until the European Cup was won in 1968 from a Blue perspective, culminating with the 50th anniversary derby match is February 2008 and now the 65th anniversary.

Initially having trained as a Chartered Accountant, Raymond is a member of the English Bar, The Irish Bar and is a Guernsey Advocate and Notary Public, specialising in tax, commercial, trust work, taxation, funds, trusts and insolvency work - often across multi-jurisdictions.

raymond@raymondashton.com raymondashton.com