Big Plans for 50th Anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster

By: Martha | December 8th, 2007

1958 United

As all Manchester United fans know, on February 6, 1958, a plane carrying their team home from a European match with Red Star Belgrade crashed on takeoff in Munich. 23 people, including players, press, and team personnel, were killed, and many others were injured. Among the survivors were United legends Matt Busby, who was twice read last rites in the hospital, and Bobby Charlton.

In order to recognize the 50th anniversary of the tragedy, the club have decided to turn the Manchester derby on February 10 into an impressive celebration of those who were lost, including something rarely (Never?) seen in football, the wearing of kits that replicate what the team wore in 1958.

What’s coolest about the kits is how shockingly non-money grubbing the plans for them are. First of all, the club had to get the approval of the FA for the nameless, numberless, league-logo-free one-off, which was apparently quite a struggle, and then had to go negotiate with both Nike and AIG, because neither of them will be represented on the kits, something which is anathema in today’s work of corporate football. Both, however, agreed and, though Nike will produce the kits for the team, they will not be sold to the public, or (theoretically ever) reproduced as merchandise. They’ll be a true one-off, and there are plans for the game-worn kits to be donated to those involved in the crash who attend the match — survivors, families, etc. Impressive, right?

In addition, Manchester City players will also wear special kits, with black armbands embroidered on them, and there will be extensive pre-game ceremonies, and all broadcast for free (!!!!) on MUTV.

Fantastic stuff, particularly coming in the derby match — the management of both teams should really be recognized for their willingness to cooperate on something like this, which is so much bigger that football. That’s going to be an amazing day.

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Bob Gamble

I hope that the spirit of the Babes can be celebrated by seeing the current United squad in scintillating action against City on Feb 10th.

However, am I alone in feeling unease about the FA's crass decision to play a friendly on February 6th 2008? No doubt there will be an attempt by the FA to mark the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster with an appropriate tribute at Wembley. Any ceremonial will inevitably be subsumed by the clamour over David Beckham's 100th cap and the frenzy which will surround Fabio Capello's first selection. There will be no means of controlling the deflection of media attention.

I have seen no detail of the FA's plans for the evening, but I feel that disrespect has already been shown to the families of the lost heroes by the scheduling of a meaningless game on the anniversary.
steve talbot

For all those interested in the disaster, may I recommend reading 'THE MUNICH AIR DISASTER by aviation historian morrin. It is a definitive acccount of the tragedy and explodes many myths that have been generated over the last fifty years and tells the story of how the aircraft's commander - Captain James Thain - was set up by the German Authorities to shoulder the blame for the accident. A powerful book.
Ashley N

I just read about this randomly today on wikipedia. Very sad tragedy, glad to see them honor it with respect.
roswitha

Completely agree. I'm so impressed by their committment to the non-profit angle -- it's a great way to remember the tragedy.