It was on February 6, 1958 — 60 years ago to the day —that 23 people were killed during an aborted takeoff atMunich-Riem Airport. Aboard the aircraft were Sir Matt Busby and his eponymous Babes, flying home after a European Cup quarterfinal against Red Star Belgrade.
Busby was lucky enough to survive life-threatening injuries and lead United’s remarkable recovery; tragically, eight of his players were not so fortunate. Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Duncan Edwards, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Billy Whelan, as well as club secretary Walter Crickmer, trainer Tom Curry, and coach Bert Whalley, were killed in the accident.
To commemorate the loss, a clock at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester was kept frozen at 3:04p.m, the time of the crash.
Little more can be said about the monumental impact the crash had on United. In short, it is the defining moment, the singular point around which the club’s history is imagined.
The crash has play a role in cementing Manchester United’s status, as the club rebounded and re-emerge as a dominant force in world football.
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