Tag: Manchester United

British History, Uncategorized

On this day in history….29th May 1968

On this day in history : 29th May 1968 – Manchester United win the European Cup Final….making them the first English club to do so….

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Image via Pinterest – fair use

Over 92,000 spectators packed Wembley Stadium on a highly charged emotional night to watch Manchester United play Benfica of Portugal – whilst another 250 million viewers watched on TV around the World….

It was the 13th season of the European Cup and came ten years after eight members of Manchester United’s team had been killed in the Munich air disaster of 1958….which also left Manager Matt Busby fighting for his life…. The crash had happened a day after the team had earned a place in the semi finals of the 1957-58 European Cup…. Two of the 1968 team, Bill Foulkes and Bobby Charlton, had survived the crash….

Portugal’s Benfica had won the Cup in 1962 and Celtic had lifted the trophy the previous season in 1967, making them the first British team to win the title…. But now it was Manchester United’s turn….

Because both teams had red as their colour Man United had opted to play in their blue away strip…. The first half remained goalless – but 8 minutes into the second half Captain Bobby Charlton headed a goal into the net…. However, 22 minutes later Benfica equalised….the score remained 1-1 until the end of normal time, forcing extra time…. Three minutes into extra time George Best scored….and a minute after that Brian Kidd, who was celebrating his 19th birthday, added a third goal…. Just to make sure it was a done deal Bobby Charlton scored his second goal of the match to make the final score 4-1….and he as Captain lifted the trophy….

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Image via Pinterest – fair use

A fortnight later George Best was named European Footballer of the Year…. Manager Matt Busby later received a Knighthood…. Bobby Charlton became Sir Bobby Charlton in 1994 – during his career he scored 49 goals for England….

British History

On this day in history….6th February 1958

On this day in history : 6th February 1958 – Seven Manchester United football players are among twenty killed as their plane crashed on take-off at Munich-Riem Airport….

The Manchester United team, known as the ‘Busby Babes’ after their manager Matt Busby, had won the hearts of the Nation…. In the previous two seasons they had won First Division titles and had just drew 3-3 against Red Star Belgrade ~ securing a place in the European semi finals for the second year running….

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Manchester United’s “Busby Babes” pictured in 1958, before their last match. Scanpix – Public domain

They were on their way back to Manchester from Yugoslavia and had stopped at Munich to refuel…. The team’s chartered six-year-old Airspeed AS-57 Ambassador had already made two aborted attempts at take-off from Munich, due to technical difficulties…. The pilot, James Thain, decided despite deteriorating weather conditions to try again – as they were already behind schedule…. Understandably the team members were feeling nervous as they boarded for the third time….

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The Airspeed Ambassador G-ALZU at Riem Airport shortly before the accident – Fair use

By now it had begun to snow heavily….a build up of slush on the runway meant the plane was unable to reach the full speed needed for takeoff…. The aircraft overshot the runway and hit a house and tree before smashing its way through a hut, which exploded…. Once the plane had come to a stop the pilot and surviving crew helped their passengers evacuate….with the help of Manchester United’s goal keeper, Harry Gregg, who had sustained only minor injuries….

Seven United players were killed in the crash; team captain Roger Byrne, 28 – Tommy Taylor, 26 – Geoff Bent, 25 – Mark Jones, 24 – David Pegg, 22 – Liam Whelan, 22 and Eddie Colman, 21…. Pegg and Taylor were both England international players….

Another player and England international, Duncan Edwards, died of his injuries in hospital 15 days later…. Two other survivors of the crash also died in hospital….

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The Airspeed Ambassador G-ALZU burning at Munich – Fair use

Three of United’s staff died; Walter Crickmer, Club Secretary – Bert Whalley, chief coach and Tom Curry, trainer….

Eight journalists on board the plane were killed; one being Frank Swift of the News of the World – a former goal keeper for Manchester City and who had played for England 19 times….

Two aircraft crew were also killed; co-pilot Captain Kenneth Raymond and steward Tom Cable…. Two other passengers also lost their lives….

Matt Busby was severely injured and was read his last rites twice – but he recovered after two months in hospital….

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Sir Matt Busby. Credit: Kurt Nielsen @ Scanpix – Public domain

Ten years later his dream was realised when Manchester United won the European Cup in 1968…. Sir Matt Busby retired as Manager in 1969….