Rare United vWolves post-Munich programme surfaces

ONE of the world’s rarest football programmes for a game abandoned following the Munich air disaster could fetch thousands at auction – after being found in a drawer.

The Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers fixture on February 8, 1958, was postponed following the tragedy two days earlier.

A 12-page magazine (right) was produced ahead of the match, which was set to be held at Old Trafford, but only a handful of copies survived.

It was taken off the production line when news of the plane crash broke and most of the programmes were binned. However, 65 years later, one has been discovered by Hertfordshire auction house Hanson Ross. And such is its scarcity it could fetch between £5,000£8,000 at the auction on January 12.

Seller Peter Jackson, 67, kept the programme in a drawer alongside another from the fixture against Nottingham Forest a couple of weeks later.

The retired engineer said he was parting with the programmes because he wanted to ensure they’re treasured forever as a part of the club’s history.

United fan Peter, from Wembley, added: “My uncle worked in the Manchester printworks that made the programmes and decided to hold on to them.

“I think they’d be surprised to know how valuable those programmes priced 4d, pennies in 1958, might be today. “I hope they’ll go to a Manchester United fan or keen collector who’ll look after them for years to come to honour the Busby’s Babes who lost their lives.” On February 6, 1958, 23 people – including eight United players – were killed when the plane carrying the team back from a European Cup tie in Belgrade crashed in Germany. The loss of so many players from the legendary young team shocked the world. The disaster took place the same day that thousands of the programmes for the First Division match were printed. Wolves went on to win the league that season and beat a depleted Manchester United 4-0 at Old Trafford when the postponed match was eventually played.

Amanda Butler, director of operations at the Royston auctioneers, said: “The vendor’s uncle worked in the Manchester print shop that made the programmes. Most were destroyed but his uncle kept one and gifted it to our seller.

“He also gave him a programme for a Manchester United v Nottingham Forest match... just a couple of weeks after the disaster. The two will be offered at auction together.

“This is an extremely unusual opportunity. Hardly any of the Manchester United v Wolves programmes exist and examples rarely come to light.

“We are aware of one which sold previously at auction for £6,200.”