The plane carrying Manchester United players, staff and officials crashed on take-off at Munich-Riem Airport on 6 February 1958 - a tragedy that affected the whole of Manchester and sent shockwaves around the globe. Former City goalkeeper Frank Swift, travelling as a journalist on the flight, was also killed in the crash.
Manchester City’s Chief Operating Officer Omar Berrada and Club Ambassador Mike Summerbee attended a memorial service at Old Trafford.
The famous ‘Busby Babes’ were returning from a European Cup tie with Red Star Belgrade and 23 people were killed as the plane attempted a third take-off on a slush-covered runway. Eight United players died.
Manchester City FC stands side by side with our neighbours as we remember those who lost their lives 60 years ago.
United players: Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Coleman, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Liam Whelan; United club secretary Walter Crickmer; trainer Tom Curry; chief coach Bert Whalley; journalists Alf Clarke (Manchester Evening Chronicle), Donny Davies (Manchester Guardian), George Follows (Daily Herald), Tom Jackson (Manchester Evening News), Archie Ledbrooke (Daily Mirror), Henry Rose (Daily Express) and Eric Thompson (Daily Mail); travel agent Bela Miklos; and Willie Satinoff, United fan and a friend of Busby, cabin steward Tom Cable.
Frank Swift (former England and City goalkeeper turned News of the World journalist) died on his way to hospital, Captain Kenneth Rayment died in hospital, and United player Duncan Edwards died on 21 February.
Tuesday 6 February 2018 marks 60 years since that tragic day and our thoughts are with the 23 passengers who lost their lives, as well as their friends and relatives.
