Catalogue Number
NMLH.1999.5
Object Name
Programme
Title
UNITED REVIEW. MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB ... VERSUS SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 1958
Place
Manchester; Munich
People
Manchester United FC players, manager and staff.
Events
Munich Air Disaster
Date
February 1958
Description
United Review football programme, Manchester United v Sheffield Wednesday, FA Cup 5th Round, 19 February 1958. This was the first match played by Manchester United following the Munich Air Disaster.
The front cover of the programme is edged in black and shows a man in a grey suit shaking hands with a player in a red strip in front of a ball. Text on the front notes that "United will go on", with information about the disaster. The reverse has information about memorial services for all denominations. Inside, the line up was printed with eleven blank spaces. The Manchester United team that played was: Harry Gregg, Bill Foulkes, Ian Greaves, Freddy Goodwin, Ronald Cope, Stan Crowther, Colin Webster, Ernie Taylor, Alex Dawson, Mark Pearson and Shay Brennan. Most of the team were part of United's youth team. Taylor and Crowther had signed from Blackpool and Aston Villa respectively after the Disaster. For both men, this was their Manchester United debut.
The Munich Air Disaster took place on 6 February 1958. The Manchester United team had played Red Star Belgrade in the European Cup the night before. After landing in Munich to refuel, the plane took two aborted attempts at take off. A third attempt saw the plane crash upon take off, killing 23 people: eight Manchester United players and fifteen staff and journalists, including retired Manchester City goalkeeper, Frank Swift. Other players and staff, including Manchester United's manager, Matt Busby, were injured. The football community rallied around the club, with short term player loans helping to bolster a makeshift team. Teams thoughout the country produced memorial programmes.
**ON DISPLAY**
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