Munich 60-year tributes
MUNICH’S TEARS 60 YEARS LATER
MANCHESTER United icons past and present joined fans to mark the 60th anniversary of the Munich air disaster at Old Trafford yesterday.
MANCHESTER United icons past and present marked the 60th anniversary of the Munich air disaster at Old Trafford.
Thousands of fans joined current players, managers and ex-stars to pay tribute to the 23 passengers killed when the team’s plane crashed on take-off in bad weather in 1958.
Crash survivors Sir Bobby Charlton, who fought back tears, and goalie Harry Gregg attended the memorial as snow fell inside the stadium. A minute’s silence took place at 3.04pm, the exact time of the crash.
Sir Matt Busby’s team were returning from a European Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade when tragedy struck as they refuelled at Munich-Riem Airport.
Eight “Busby Babes” were killed – they were all in their 20s. Three club staff, eight journalists, two crew members and two passengers also died.
United manager Jose Mourinho and club captain Michael Carrick laid wreaths while Sir Alex Ferguson spoke to the crowd. Carrick said later: “It was very fitting, a beautiful service – powerful, emotional.
“For me, it was emotional sitting next to Sir Bobby and coming to terms with what he’s been through.” jack.andrews@dailystar.co.uk