Munich Remembered

//=====Tribute to The Babes=====\\ --- By ZiQ Gaucho

RedTide — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:22:17 GMT

On the 50th anniversary of the munich air disaster , which claimed the lives of 8 man utd players.. This is the story of arguably the Greatest team in British Football History.

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                        THE LOST BUSBY BABES



The distinctive sound of laughter rebounded around the cramped cabin of the BEA Elizabethan aircraft as it flew 18,000 feet above central europe from belgrade to a refuelling stop in munich. On the morning of Feb 6,1958 , Matt Busby & his Man Utd players were returning home after securing a 2nd successive appearance in the semi-finals of the fledging European Cup with a 3-3 draw against Red Star Belgrade(was the best team in europe back then) the night before.

This was yet another triumph in what promised to be a historic season . United were seeking a
hat-trick of League titles, having won it in 1956 & 57, & were only 4 points behind leaders Wolves, who they would face in 2 days at OT, b4 meeting Sheffield Wednesday the following week in the FA cup 5th round. Ac Milan awaited them in the european cup , & beyond that , possibly Real Madrid? in the final?.

The Vast majority of busby's side had come through the youth ranks at OT & with an average age of just 24, hadn't come even close to fulfilling their vast potential.

THE SIGN

Bobby Charlton remembers there were snow on the ground when they landed at reims airport, although at this stage there was no reason to be concerned. But hours later , after 2 aborted take-offs , the mood amongst the party had become increasingly tense .As the players returned to the airport terminal there was hopeful talk of returning home overland. Duncan Edwards sent a telegram to his landlady in Stretford : " all flights cancelled. Flying tommorow. Duncan . "

But soon the plane's captain James Thain recalled his passenger . The united player felt uneasy as they boarded again, but no one spoke out. As they took their seats, some including Charlton & viollet(denice), swapped from their original position believing they would be safer ( ironic ?) . For the third time , the plane's engine roared as they began to accelerate along the slush-covered runway. Soon the player noticed that they were seeing new landmarks & had even passed the red building which they had stopped opposite on the 2 aborted runs. Liam Whelan turned to Harry gregg & said : " if the worst happens, i am ready for death.... I hope we all are " ........... <crashhhh>...



THE LOST BUSBY BABES

How good could the Busby Babes have been ? The 10 Players lost to Munich (including 2 injuries) can only leaves us wondering ..



| DUNCAN EDWARDS |


Age : 21

Positions : Half-Back

Appearances : 175

Goals : 21


The greatest Babe of all was Duncan Edwards, who remain's the emblem for this side, but survives only in handful of shaky black & white newsreel & in the memories of those who saw him play. Born In dudley in 1936, Edwards was first brought to busby's attention in 1948, but his prodigious talent was so obvious that utd soon became just one of several club chasing him.By 1952 , they panicked that they might lose out, Bert Whalley & Jimmy Murphy drove trough the night & got Edwards out of his bed in his pyjamas to sign 4 utd.

Former team-mates & opponents speak in awe of edwards powerful frame. He wasn't the tallest player (5ft 11 inch), but his remarkably broad torso & thick legs gave amazing presence. Edwards also possessed extraordinary skill & flair. The Former England captain said : " there is no doubt with edwards, byrne & taylor we would have won the world cup in 58 & 62 ." as Jimmy Murphy said : " when i used to hear Muhammad Ali proclaim to the world he was the greatest, i used to smile, You see ,The greatest of them all was an English Footballer named Duncan Edwards"


| TOMMY TAYLOR |


Age : 26

Positions : Centre-Foward

Appearances : 189

Goals : 128


Born in Barnsley on 29th January 1932, Taylor was one of two Barnsley players to have joined the ill fated Manchester United team which was devastated in the Munich air crash in 1958; the other being Mark Jones.Tommy played for Barnsley before his transfer to Manchester United for what was then a record fee £29,999 - as is generally known, Matt Busby did not want him burdened with a £30,000 tag and gave the extra pound to a tea lady . Soon it was apparent that United had got a bargain. When Tommy Taylor powered home a header from outside the penalty area against Preston North End in his first game for his new club, it was clear that Taylor was a real Yorkshire bargain. He scored twice on his debut and by the end of the 1952/53 campaign he had notched seven in just 11 games.

Tommy was arguably the greatest centre-forward England , let alone United, ever had. He was certainly one of the most underrated and his scoring record would have been staggering in any era . For the Red Devils he managed two goals every three matches; put another way, he found the net once every two hours or so that he spent on a football pitch. On top of that he weighed in with a further 16 in 19 games for England and there was every reason to believe that, at 26, he was still approaching his peak.Tommy's growing stature in the world game was illustrated immediately after the 1957 FA Cup Final, in which he scored United's goal, when inter Milan made the then-astronomical offer of £65,000 for his services. The manager rejected the bid; his dashing young centre-forward was not for sale at any price, a decision that was ultimately to cost Taylor his life.


| GEORGE BENT |


Age : 25

Positions : Left-Back

Appearances : 12 Goals : 0

Two broken legs & playing in the same position as byrne restricted bent's appearances. Was a late called up as cover for the injured bryne .


| JOHNNY BERRY |


Age : 31

Positions : Winger

Appearances : 273

Goals : 44


The oldest member of the side , Berry was a rare purchase , from birmingham for £25,000 in 1951, whose croses provide many goals for taylor & viollet. Survived munich, but would never played again.


| JACKIE BLANCHFLOWER |


Age : 24

Positions : Inside-right

Appearances : 116

Goals : 27


The brothers of spurs legend Danny, Blanchflower was forced to retire due to the injuries he sustained at Munich.


| ROGER BYRNE |


Age : 28

Positions : Left-back

Appearances : 227 Goals : 19


The captain of the babes & one of England's finest ever defender , Byrne was a pioneering full-back & busby was believed to be grooming him as his manager successor.


| EDDIE COLMAN |


Age : 21

Positions : Half-back

Appearances : 107

Goals : 2



A local lad & the side's joker . "Snake hips " was " beautiful to watch" & become a crucial member of the first team after captainig the 1955 FA youth Cup winners.


| MARK JONES |


Age : 24

Positions : Central Defender

Appearances : 120

Goals : 1


Spotted playing schools football in Barnsley(also the home of Tommy Taylor) . A tank of a man at 6ft & 15 stone. Bill Foulked described him as    " a tough nut , who nobody took liberty with " .


| DAVID PEGG |


Age : 22

Positions : Left-Winger

Appearances : 148

Goals : 28


Discovered in his native Doncaster, Pegg joined Manchester United at 15 , making his dbut in 1953. Tipped to succeed the incomparable Tom Finney in The England side .


| LIAM BILLY WHELAN |


Age : 22

Positions : Inside-Foward

Appearances : 96

Goals : 52


One of Europe's most promising players, before his death, Busby believed that whelan had the potential to be as great as Ferenc Puskas(the hungarian legend) .

====================================================================================================



" I felt i could sit back for 10 years while they played . They were that good. " : the man who gave his name to the busby babe sings the team praise.

poem

bedevilled — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:10:08 GMT

Les Diables Rouge

From blood sweated tiers

the roar from the devils acolytes descends into the theatre

magnificent gladiators emblazoned in red acknowledge the crowd.

and not far away

from a snowy grave

eight young devils are ressurected.

Devils

with flights of dreams not realised

but sleep they will.

and not far away in the theatre of dreams

the red devils

are ressurected.

a banner proclaims the event, frozen in time

while the acolytes voice the unheard

we will never die, we will never die...

Memorial day 1958-2009 (taken from Red Star official site on 5.2.2009)

Nemanja-CR7-Serbia — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:09:14 GMT

Since the football game is invented there were a lot of teams that the world admired. Since the football game is invented tragedies happened - in the field and outside it, which made the world sad. But, rarely is the entire planet almost care, first in shock and disbelief, and then to express mail, as the 6th February 1958. when the flight from the airport in Munich "Elizabetan" British company "BEA" abolished the death took 23 passengers. Among them seven players of Manchester United: captain Roger Byrne, Tommy Taylor, Jeff Bent, Eddie Colman, Mark Johns, David Pegg and Liam Billy Whelan. After two weeks of sustained injuries, died and 21 year old Duncan Edwards, one of the most gifted players in the history of English football, the soul and the driving team that is remembered in legend as "Busby babes."

The young and supertalented team, which is carefully selected by legendary Matt Busby, returned from Belgrade, where a day earlier, on this day, played a rematch in Champions Cup quarter-final with Red Star. As in the first match was 2:1 for the English, in the unforgettable football show in JNA stadium the result was 3:3, and Manchester United progressed to the semi-final.

51 years ago, destiny however played bitter with a team that was cruising to the European throne. Matt Busby and Bobby Charlton on the winning "silver amphora" had to wait a full decade, when a new United had beaten Benfica in final. Two English "sirs" looked eachother in the eyes, and released tears for their friends and teammates that died.

Tears were streaming on 6th debruary 1958. in Belgrade too. Only the day before Mitic, Beara, Popovic, Sekularac, Kostic, Tasic ... led the heated debate with Charlton, Violett, Edwards... Needle in the stands could not fall! About this game the story and the day is as rare as that before and after the excitement abound, dribbles, nice moves, and errors. And what is most important - goals.

In the first game, played on 14th January by a dense fog, before about 60 000 spectators at "Old Trafford," Red Star took a lead thanks to Tasic's hit in 35th minute, but the home team superiority in the second half were crowned by Bobby Charlton in the 63rd and Colman in the 71st minute. Our team saved 1:2 result thanks to fantastic defences of "Black Panther" Vladimir Beara.

However, the lack of only one goal gave the hope to Red Star that they can surprise and overcome Manchester United in Belgrade. Legendary Matt Busby said "Red Star has a good team, they play great at home, and Manchester do not be appropriate to the game by snow and frost."

Champions of England arrived in Belgrade in 4th February, and a game is played the next day at 14:45 hours. JNA stadium gates were opened exactly at noon, and soon seats were filled to the last place. Posts were colored in black so they could be seen well because of snow that was on the field before the game.

However Red Star fans experienced "cold shower" after half hour of game. Due to errors of home team, Manchester United took a 3:0 lead and there was a disaster result in pray. Already in the 2nd minute Taylor and Violett took the ball from Mitic, and Violett scored the first goal. In 30th minute Charlton took the bal from Kostic and hit the net, and only a minute later Spajic was in a crowd in front of Red Star goal, he deducted the ball briefly to Charlton, which has beaten Beara fot the third time.

After generaly bad mood at the stadium, in the second half there was euphoria, as the Red Star miraculously played the second half, came to the equalization, and created several chances to win!

Reversal in the game has already been announced in the first minute of continuing when Bora Kostic's powerful stroke surprised goalkeeper Harry Greg. In 50th minute penalty for Red Star! Tasic starts to perform most of punishment and - reduces the result to 2:3. At that time, Red Star fans started to feel that their team has the power to make the total turnover and even progress to the semi-finals. Ambitions were growing when Bora Kostic scored an equaliser. Unfortunately, although by the end of the game remained a bit more time and Red Star continued to attack, it was the last goal of the game. Total 5:4 for Manchester United as they progressed among 4 best teams in Champions Cup.

While the players of the two teams were fighting ruthlessly on the field, after the game they started a wonderful friendship during the evening, first in the hotel "Majestic" and then in Skadarlija (its the place with many restaurants, gypsy music...in one word: place of celebration) which grew up into great friendship. Doctor Aca Obradovic talked with great passion to English how the new Red Star stadium will look in the future, and he used the opportunity to call Manchester United to play a game at the opening of the new, magnificent object. The club secretary from "Old Trafford" Crickner, promised that United will magnify that day, and Matt Busby, delighted himself with the receipt and heartily of the host said to Red Star president Blagojevic that Manchester United trip to Belgrade was full of surprises.

Doom, however, wanted the worst surprise to follow the next day on 6th February, when at 15 hours and four minutes in the Munich, plane collapsed. News that the most talented team in the world found death in the wreck of the airplane, have frozen the planet.

Football club Red Star have sent an official plea straight tomorrow morning after the tragedy to French "L'Equipe", which was the initiator and organizer of Champions Cup, that Manchester United should be declared as honorary winner of the competition. The same proposal was, later, sent by Real Madrid president Santiago Bernabe.

Link of two giants - Red Star Belgrade and Manchester United were fixed for all time. These two clubs have become - friends forever.

Towards 51st anniversary of one of the greatest football tragedies, we gave you film "Memorial Day", from 2003. Its the result of production of Marketing Football Club Red Star. The film, which is every year broadcasting on this sad date could be seen at Old Trafford too, and you can look it here!

(after hours of searching for program which allows me to download movies from sites, after uploading it to youtube and after waiting to be processed, i can finaly give you this link)

watch it and leave comments or come back here and leave comments...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4DGDsqqJGA

My Website Project - In Memory of The Great Busby Babes -

Wuen Han Lee — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 06:30:02 GMT

Im from Multimedia University, doing foundation course, am a United Fan too. The Munich Air Crash meant so much for United and all of us, the fans, the Red Devils. Thus, upon receiving this project, I decided to make a website in memory of the legendary Busby Babes. This is my first time creating a website. As i am relatively inexperience, please forgive me for the technical imperfection and the uninspiring design of the website. the information in the website is gathered from several website without their permission(some was copy paste since i have only got 2 weeks to complete this), www.manutd.com www.thebusbybabes.com www.munich58.co.uk and etc. i hereby declare that i lay no claim to any of the content presents in my website.

http://mlkstd.mmu.edu.my/~1092700680/index.html

here u go, lets get back to the 1950's and 60's. THX..

next ....

Abner — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:40:20 GMT

Owen do what u did to Burnsley

Newsletter to Talking Reds Members

ManUtdMod. — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:25:53 GMT

Should you have any difficulty reading the above newsletter, please click on the link below;

http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={33D7047C-9CF9-40CF-AA63-A67EE2E6E04D}&usecache=false&preview_9foejvnizp9dhj73=true

My tribute.

wayne chadwick — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:15:11 GMT

/wayne

Munich

pete49 — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:33:55 GMT

I was 17 at the time of the disaster. I was coming home from work, when I heard people talking about a plane crash involving the Busby babes. When I got home my dad told me that some players had died, Matt Busby was in a serious condition and Duncan Edwards poorly. as I watched the news on television that night and the names of the dead were read out, it's hard to put into words, but I felt numb hoping that this was a bad dream,but it wasn't. I lived in Woodhouse Park at the time just minutes from Ringway Airport.

On the night that the bodies of my hero's came home I went to pay my last respects. Women were throwing themselves onto the bonnets of the cars. Grown men were openly crying, not just united fans but City and various other fans. Those were the days when fans of different team's could mix together without resorting to violence. In one of my favourite singers songs Neil Sedaka IF I COULD ONLY TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

Pete Carter

Sir Matt

cannock red — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:25:37 GMT

I once had the pleasure of meeting sir matt and his wife as they were walking into the stadium,i was a skinny little 14yr old and i asked him if i could have his autograph,he did it and asked me where i was from and told me to enjoy the game.How lucky was i.I still cherrish that memory today.

The red cafe

Janice Brian — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:45:28 GMT

Does anyone know how to register with the red cafe

I wont accept my Adress even though its from my ISP,

BUSBY BABES

peter banyard — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:11:22 GMT

NEVER TO BE FORGOTTON GOD BE GOOD TO THEM.

The Treble

georgie c — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:05:48 GMT

What a lot of the younger fans don,t know is, when we won the treble in 1998/99, If it had not been for the Munich air crash, we would surely have won It fifty years before, I would just like to finish with the words of Laurence Binyon reproduced in the United programme of February 19th, 1958: They shall not grow old As we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. R.I P. All who died on that fateful day.

R.I.P Busby Babes

RonaldoCR7 — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:56:20 GMT

Just to say Rest In Peace rather than to congratulate someone for rewriting what we all know in the other thread!

R.I.P Never Forgotten

UNITED BIGGER than ronaldo / messi / kaka / ribery

Schleben — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 06:24:46 GMT

I watched an hour special on the history of Manchester United last night and was really touched ! Never actually knew HOW MUCH Sir Matt did for this great club of ours , apart from building the legendary Babes squad , fighting for his life and being with the club for 25 years , he brought us the attacking flair with which we play today , and to think it only took him 10 years to rebuild virtually an entire squad and be the FIRST English team to win the European Cup ! If that wasn't enough to prove his passion and love for United , he came back after retirement for another spell and without him at that stage , im lead to believe United might even have gone under , as we wouldn't have survived another bare spell like the 30's . We now have a GREAT man in charge and is without a doubt the GREATEST manager EVER , but just think if Sir Matt hadn't paived the way and been so resilient , United might not even have been around , and for someone like me , who has so many fond memories and lives and dies for United , my life would be unbearable ! SO for the young uns and maybe the " not so well informed " on here , maybe we need to look deeper into this GREAT club's HISTORY before we go around slating players , staff or any other facet of this GREAT club of ours , as United is BIGGER than a bad game or season ! Long will you be remembered !

UNITED TILL I DIE !!!

munich anniversary match

Liam Malin — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:12:49 GMT

does anyone have a dvd copy or can make me a copy of the utd v city munich anniversay match from 2008? i will gladly pay you for it so i can rewatch this magnificent but emotional day of remembrance

we are the united.

paul ojionuka — Thu, 28 May 2009 21:53:24 GMT

i like all the players which you marked out to buy.

please you people should go ahead and buy all those players i like them it will help us more for the nest season.

thanks.

nwachi20 ezenwa.

united for life

macarthy — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:31:47 GMT

hello man united fans, am really happy to let u guys know that u have no right to be scared with todays match, cause it is ours. we are making history again 2day. so be happy and give thanks to God almighty, cause he is a united fan, biliv mi. never 4get, "we make history, that is a fact". up united.

Sir Matt Busby 100 Dinner

R.Giggs_11 — Tue, 19 May 2009 22:23:25 GMT

On thursday 21st may there is a dinner to celebrate 100 years of sir matt busby. Please visit this website www.sirmattbusby.co.uk and e-mail jacinta or call her for tickets when you order tickets please give my name (Junior Singh)

which was worse?

vos14 — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:25:45 GMT

Munich or Hillsborough?

HOW I WISH!!!!

prince cm — Thu, 07 May 2009 06:02:07 GMT

How i wish

there was a way we could have altered,

such a sad tragedy,

twinkling eyes closed,

the babes departed with those skills,

we were left to stammer,

and cry ,

and try to live,

we can only promise u,

our undying support,

and when we arrive in ROME,

WE WILL ONLY CONQURE THEM,

FOR U!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

possibly our most important win so far

frank the tank — Sat, 02 May 2009 20:23:35 GMT

yes middlesboro one of our trickier opponents over the years yet today when it counted,even after so many changes to the team ,our boys stepped up to the mark and proved that they can carry the manchester united torch further on and create history on the premier league front and the champions league,not forgetting our success in the carling cup and the world club championship just a pity about the fa cup but you cant have everything.I have been lucky enough too have been able to see united from the early 70s thanks to a female nurse who thought me and my brothers were worthy of supporting united even though the rest of the family were siddy fans.So obviously we had all the brains and common sense,it has been a joy to be able to see the team develop into the enigme it is now,loved by all football fans even if they support other teams.We have proved ourselves to be the best team in the uk europe and the world our fans are second to none and the support,even if a little quiet due to the corporate and the stadium layout always rise to the occassion especially the other nite against the gooners,a more dominating game you will not find until we play them at the emeriates next week.I applaud the stretford end for their passion and voice for our team that inspires the rest of the supporters in old trafford.Ican remember watching united play in europe in the home leg at portsmouth or plymouth against st ettiene and 25000 -35000 watching at old trafford on the big screen because we were banned as supporters from watching our team play at home if only some of the crowd had seen though days when our team had to play behind closed doors then they would appreciate the spectacle and the magic of seeing sir mats team play in the most exciting venue in the world.

Munich

tomsgogs — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:22:26 GMT

I was 15 at the time the disaster happened.I was playing for Stoke-on-Trent schoolboys football team,I remember hearing the news,

I never felt anything like that in my life before, the shock was terrible ,that was the day I became a Man Utd supporter.The more I learned

about the game the more I knew I was right.At 65 I still get nervous watching the reds.

R.I.P dad, was a big fan

R.I.P Dad — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 19:39:30 GMT

My Dad loved, Man Utd, i am writing this for his memory and i know he would be so happy that they won.

R.I.P David Beaumont. we will put your Man Utd pillow with you to rest on. love love

...

rooney n ronaldo r the best — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:09:58 GMT

Harry Gregg is a legend . 1958 Munich R.I.P

a glorious start

tommyoniellrip — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 21:01:37 GMT

was anybody else reminded of big norm this afternoon?