NEVER FORGOTTEN
SURVIVORS, CURRENT PLAYERS AND FANS PAY RESPECTS SIXTY YEARS ON FROM MUNICH DISASTER
MUNICH Air Disaster survivors Sir Bobby Charlton and Harry Gregg were joined by the United first-team, manager Jose Mourinho and former boss Sir Alex Ferguson at a poignant service to mark 60 years since the tragedy.
The snow was falling at Old Trafford as more than 4,500 fans packed in to the East Stand to remember the 23 people killed on February 6, 1958.
As the first-team were led in to the stadium in their club suits and Munich memorial badges by club captain Michael Carrick, a rendition of ‘We’ll Never Die’ rang out from the fans in the ground.
Club chaplain Rev John Boyers led the service, which started with the Manchester United Foundation choir singing ‘I Watch the Sunrise.’
Sir Alex Ferguson, who sat alongside Ed Woodward, began with a reading from the Bible before the ground fell silent as the names of the 23 who died, including eight players and eight journalists, were read out.
Executive vice-chairman Woodward followed the roll of honour with a reading of ‘We Will Remember Them’ before the ground fell silent again at 3.04pm, the exact time the disaster happened 60 years ago. Folk singer and life-long red Pete Martin then led an emotional rendition of Flowers of Manchester, with members in the crowd moved to tears, before Carrick and Mourinho laid wreaths.
Rev Boyers explained the importance of today’s young talent being at the service as he recalled the impact of the Busby Babes 60 years ago.
“They were about homegrown talent that played attacking football and won trophies. The Busby Babes pioneered an ethos that is still important to this club. Today, the past and the future are linked,” he explained.
“Many people think we would not be what we are today had they not been what they were in their time.
“Those academy scholars who are not involved in tomorrow’s game in Belgrade are with us, along with our Under-23 squad, and our first-team squad and all their coaches.
“They demonstrate together that home-grown player development is still very important at this club.”
As the Foundation Choir sang The Lord’s My Shepherd, Harry Gregg, now 85, left Old Trafford for what he said would be the last time. He was followed out by the next generation of United stars - who will be hoping to continue the Babes’ legacy.