Munich Air Disaster

[Scouse Hibee]

65 years ago today, a truly horrendous event in the history of Man Utd.

[Pagan Hibernia]

And English football.

Edwards, Byrne and Taylor were already established in the national team that was bound for the Sweden World Cup, with Edwards in particular set to dominate his position for years to come. Another two, Pegg and Colman, were on the periphery and certain regulars of the future.

Not forgetting Ireland’s Liam Whelan.

[AltheHibby]

I wish I had realised this. I live 1 minute's drive from where Duncan Edwards is buried. I will just have to pay my silent respects as I pass on the way home.

[Hibernia&Alba]

And English football.

Edwards, Byrne and Taylor were already established in the national team that was bound for the Sweden World Cup, with Edwards in particular set to dominate his position for years to come. Another two, Pegg and Colman, were on the periphery and certain regulars of the future.

Not forgetting Ireland’s Liam Whelan.

And David Pegg had also just broken into the England team. It destroyed England's chances at the 1958 World Cup.

It was a great young side, back to back champions and the first English club in Europe. It's a tragic 'if only' story; of what they might have achieved but for the accident.

[Edina Street]

Many of the Busby Babes, lead by a man that played in 37 matches for Hibernian and scored five goals (including one against Hearts), died in the tragedy. With an average age of 22, they had been touted to dominate European football. Tragic.

[Pagan Hibernia]

https://youtu.be/WFMGe0ezsCQ

https://youtu.be/qKJrImvmEn8

https://youtu.be/QaNIKUAMKgA

https://youtu.be/zBbXDHm6zwE

extensive highlights of the Busby Babes in action from several matches between 1956 and 1958

aside from the poignancy of the images given their sad fate, it’s wonderful footage of football from a bygone age.

[Scouse Hibee]

Many of the Busby Babes, lead by a man that played in 37 matches for Hibernian and scored five goals (including one against Hearts), died in the tragedy. With an average age of 22, they had been touted to dominate European football. Tragic.

I was under the impression that the Busby Babes were the young players that came after the accident and went on to success. I must have perceived it incorrectly for all of these years.

[Hibernia&Alba]

I was under the impression that the Busby Babes were the young players that came after the accident and went on to success. I must have perceived it incorrectly for all of these years.

No, the Busby Babes was used pre-Munich. It was very unusual in the First Division back then to have a number of first team players who were promoted from the youth team. Matt Busby set up a new scouting system, designed to attract the best youngsters across the UK and Ireland, get them playing together in the youth team then eventually promote the best of them to the first team. That's how players like Duncan Edwards, Bobby Charlton, Eddie Colman, David Pegg, Mark Jones and Liam Whelan got into the first team. That model was to be supplemented by buying quality for big money where needed e.g. Tommy Taylor, signed from Barnsley. The team that won the league in 1955-56 had an average age of around 21, which was unheard of at the time.

[The Harp]

Can remember going to my bed that night as a 9 year old, and my dad telling me to say a prayer for my fav English player, Tommy Taylor, and the other people on board.

[brog]

I remember it well. The newsagent at Pilrig, almost opposite Iona St was updating his window in white paste with the news. Then the aftermath with Matt winning his fight for life and poor Duncan, built like an Ox losing his. IIRC Duncan had scored the winner against Scotland the year previously.

[Forza Fred]

I remember when the news came through.

Strange how things stick in your mind.

I would have been six, and remember my Mum telling me to stop rolling marbles on the linoleum in our house in Melrose so my Dad could hear the breaking news.

[Hibbyradge]

I remember when the news came through.

Strange how things stick in your mind.

I would have been six, and remember my Mum telling me to stop rolling marbles on the linoleum in our house in Melrose so my Dad could hear the breaking news.

Bloody noisy, those marbles! 😃

Great memory, though.

[greenginger]

I remember going to a Hibs v Man. Utd friendly a couple of years after the crash. My dad told me all about the players that died and pointed out the players who escaped injury and were playing that night.

Bobby Charlton and goalie Harry Gregg come to mind but I think there were a couple of others.

I remember being puzzled how so many could get killed and others come out with barely a scratch.