It has been 61 years since the Munich Air Disaster, which took the lives of eight Manchester United players and staff, journalists, crew and other passengers. Thirteen days after the crash, the Reds play Sheffield Wednesday. Eight Manchester United players lost their lives as a result of the Munich air disaster on February 6, 1958. Johnny Berry. Sixty years ago today, the sporting world was stunned by news that eight of Manchester United's iconic Busby Babes had died in a plane crash in Munich.Duncan Edwards - tipped to become one United and England's greatest ever players - and captain Roger Byrne were among the players killed on the afternoon of 6 February 1958, along with several journalists and coaching staff, a club official, a steward, a supporter, a travel agent and the co-pilot.Some of those fortunate to escape with their lives went on to become some of the most successful figures in the history of Old Trafford, from manager Matt Busby to former record scorer Bobby Charlton, while the likes of Albert Scanlon and Dennis Viollet also continued their careers at the top.But two in that talented squad who did survive the tragedy were never able to play again.Born in Belfast in March 1933, Blanchflower had only just turned 25 when tragedy struck on the slush-covered runway at Munich-Riem Airport.The Northern Ireland international - younger brother of Tottenham Hotspur skipper Danny - had made his debut for United in November 1951 against rivals Liverpool as part of a back four, but he became well known at Old Trafford for his versatility.In the 1953/54 season he made his name in a more forward role and won his first cap for his country, only to become a centre-back by the time the 1956/57 campaign came round. Players from the club's youth ranks begin to make an impact on the first team... Roger Byrne. Munich Air Disaster: Who were Man Utd’s Busby Babes? He suffered a fractured pelvis, multiple limb fractures and crushed kidneys, and he was forced into an early retirement.Despite the role he played in a trophy-laden period for United, he was evicted from club accommodation when it became clear he would not play again, and went on to pursue a life as a businessman. We’ll send official updates direct from the club. United meet Red Star in the 1958 European Cup quarter-finals. A second attempt was made three minutes later, but called … TODAY marks 60 years since the Munich air disaster, which robbed Manchester United of eight players. These include a menu card signed by 14 of the players, including the eight who were killed, a photograph taken at the meal and a match ticket. The 21st victim was Meanwhile, there was speculation that the club would fold, but a threadbare United team completed the 1957–58 season, with Busby's assistant There were changes in the backroom staff at the club too, following the deaths of secretary United only won one league game after the crash, causing their title challenge to collapse and they fell to ninth place in the league.Busby resumed managerial duties the next season (1958–59), and eventually built a second generation of Busby Babes, including A fund for dependents of victims of the crash was established in March, and chaired by the Chairman of the FA, Also unveiled that day was a memorial to the members of the press who died at Munich, which consisted of a bronze plaque that named the eight lost journalists.

He arrived from the Midlands with a big reputation and he lived up to it immediately.Berry was a quick and skilful player who regularly made the right flank his own over the course of 276 appearances for the club, in which he notched 45 goals.In an era blessed with some of England's most celebrated wingers in the form of Stanley Matthews and Tom Finney, the Aldershot-born Berry still managed to impress.But like Blanchflower, he was only a reserve when United flew to what was then Yugoslavia to take on Red Star just four months before his 32nd birthday.