Munich air disaster

The Munich air disaster occurred on February 6, 1958, when Flight BE609, a British European Airways "Elizabethan" class Airspeed Ambassador charter aircraft G-ALZU 'Lord Burghley', carrying players and backroom staff of Manchester United F.C., plus a number of journalists and supporters, crashed in a blizzard on its third attempt to take off from Munich-Riem airport.

Manchester United after the crash

Seven of Manchester United's players died immediately, and Duncan Edwards died from his injuries on 21 February. Two other players had to retire because of their injuries. Matt Busby was seriously injured and had to stay in hospital for some time after the crash. There was speculation that the club would fold, but a threadbare United team completed the 1957-1958 season, with United's coach Jimmy Murphy standing in as manager.{{ref|Murphy}} A team largely made up of reserves and youth team players beat Sheffield Wednesday 3–1 in the first match after the disaster, and although the team's league results were poor they reached the final of the F.A. Cup, losing 2–0 to Bolton Wanderers. Busby resumed managerial duties the following season and eventually built a second generation of Busby Babes, including George Best, that went on to win the European Cup a decade after the disaster in 1968, beating Benfica. Crash survivor Bobby Charlton was one of the players who also lined up in that team.

Related Topics:
Duncan Edwards - 21 February - Matt Busby - Jimmy Murphy - Sheffield Wednesday - Bolton Wanderers - George Best - European Cup - 1968 - Benfica - Bobby Charlton

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~