A moving tribute to the 23 victims of the tragic Munich Air Disaster was held at Old Trafford on Monday, February 6.
In front of the Munich plaque at the East corner of the stadium, approximately 2,000 people gathered to pay their respects to those who so cruelly perished 65 years ago, while thousands watched on via broadcasts. The tribute was hosted by Munich58, a fan-led organisation that has been hosting remembrance events to ensure the memory of the Busy Babes and the others who lost their lives live on eternal since 2001.
Fans had started to gather around the Munich plaque well over an hour before proceedings began at 2.40pm. Flowers, flags and scarfs adorned the wall as supporters added their own bunches of white and red petals to the collection.
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Erik ten Hag was attending his first remembrance ceremony since taking over as club manager and he chatted freely with the occasional fan who plucked up the courage to say hello before the event began.
With Munich58 co-founder Mike Thomas unable to attend it was up to Reverend John Boyers, the former United club chaplain, to kick things off, before MCing as he has done since 2015. Pete Martin then beautifully sang 'The Pride of Football' before Kady Cavanagh, Steve Douglas and Adrian Keenan all took to the microphone to read a series of self-penned poems.
Ten Hag and Women's manager Marc Skinner laid a wreath in front of the stand before the two senior captains Harry Maguire and Katie Selem followed suit. Representatives from the club's youth academies and Munich58 laid their own wreaths as well.
The names of the 23 victims were read aloud before a period of silence was held when not a word was uttered by any in attendance. Mr Martin returned to the stand to sing an emotional and powerful rendition of 'The Flowers of Manchester' but not before paying tribute to Gez Mason.
Mr Martin played a pivotal role in starting the remembrance events as in 2000 he took it upon himself to sing 'The Flowers of Manchester.' He would continue to do so until 2006 with the event gaining more attendees each year, making it into the special occasion it is today. Mr Mason sadly passed away in September last year.
Rev. Boyers paid a final tribute to the former United players and employees who had passed away over the previous 12 months as well as Aleksander Kukin, one of the founding members of the Kyiv Reds supporters' club, who died when his car was shot at by invading Russian forces.
Mr Cavannagh finalised the proceedings by leading the crowd in a rousing chant of 'We'll Never Die.'
The 23 victims of the Munich Air disaster:
United players: • Geoff Bent • Roger Byrne • Eddie Colman • Duncan Edwards • Mark Jones • David Pegg • Tommy Taylor •Billy Whelan •
United staff: Walter Crickmer (club secretary) • Tom Curry (trainer) • Bert Whalley (coach)
Journalists: • Alf Clarke • Donny Davies • George Follows • Tom Jackson • Archie Ledbrooke • Henry Rose • Frank Swift (former Manchester City goalkeeper) • Eric Thompson •
Other passengers: • Bela Miklos (travel agent) • Willie Satinoff (supporter) •
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