When Tragedy Hits Football. Manchester United aircraft disaster.

February 6th will be forever surrounded by a calendar for everyone related to Manchester United. On this day in 1958, the darkest day in United history, a plane crash in Munich killed 23 people, including eight athletes and three club staff. The team had just returned from a European Cup match against Red Star Belgrade when the plane stopped in Germany for refueling. The first two attempts to take off from Munich Airport have been cancelled. After the third attempt, the plane crashed. The eight players who died were Geoff Bent (25), Roger Byrne (28), Eddie Colman (21), Duncan Edwards (21), Mark Jones (24), David Pegg (22), It was Tommy Taylor (26) and Liam Welan. (twenty two). Edwards, considered by many to be the best player of his generation, died 15 days after the accident. The three club officials killed were Secretary Walter Crickmer, Coach Tom Curry, and Coach Bert Whalley.

Eight journalists have lost Alf Clarke, Donnie Davis, George Follow, Tom Jackson, Archie Redbrook, Henry Rose, Eric Thompson and former Manchester City goalkeeper Frank Swift. Captain Ken Rayment, colleague Tom Cable, travel agency Bella Micross, and supporter Willy Satinov, a friend of United's manager Sir Matt Busby, were also victims of a terrible tragedy.

Munich's aviation accident is an indelible part of United's history. Sir Matt overcame his fall injury and worked with his assistant Jimmy Murphy to create another great team to win the Europa League 10 years later.

When it comes to challenges, managers at Manchester United in 1945 looked like climbing Everest barefoot. In the 1930s, the club was demoted from top flight twice and faced bankruptcy. Then, in 1941, during World War II, the Luftwaffe (Nazi Germany's Luftwaffe) bombed Old Trafford, leaving United and home on Maine Road, home of local rival Manchester City. I played the game. However, such an issue was secondary to Matt Busby, who agreed to take charge of United on February 19, 1945. Basby had a glittering vision, so he saw the beauty of the bombed stadium and the chance to make a phoenix out of those flames.

A native of Bellshill, a coalmining community in Lanarkshire, Scotland, Busby knew the value of hard work, and recognised what honest endeavour could achieve. Crucially, too, he knew both Manchester and its people, having played for Manchester City in their 1934 FA Cup success. His partnership with United would change the face of English football.

Liverpool wanted Busby back after the war as playercoach. But Busby wanted to shape the future he dreamed of younger, fresher legs, players to mould in his image. He knew that youth was key not only to United's success, but also to the future of the game. He found a kinship spirit in his predecessor, Walter Clickmer, who was the club secretary. Crickmer helped establish the Manchester United Junior Athletic Club (MUJAC) in 1938, and these seeds gave birth to the Basby Empire.

Busby has set up two offices by bus from Old Trafford. "I didn't have much room or time to dream in this little office, but I dreamed," Basby meditated. He immediately appointed an assistant, with his old Army comrade Jimmy Murphy taking over the reserve and giving special attention to the youth unit.

Within 2 years, Busby's pioneering practical management awarded United's first trophy in nearly 40 years. The FA Cup won in 1948 by attacking football against the Blackpool side featuring legendary British player Stanley Matthews.

United won the league title after a few minor defeats in 1952. But the team was old. It's time for Basby to bring a young local player to his senior side. The Roger Burn, who had excellent wings in the second half of 1951/52, soon became full-back and regular. Jackie Blanchflower, who was the first player to be called "Baves" alongside Burn, was more regularly featured by centre-back Mark Jones, who played several games for the 1952 title winner. I participated. Next up is Eddie Colman and Duncan Edwards, a boy with a male body who made his first team debut at the age of 17. In March 1953, he signed Barnsley's Center Forward Tommy Taylor for £ 29,999. He was to form an impressive partnership with Dennis Viollet. Especially in 1955/56, at least one of the 27 games played together scored at least one.

United escaped with the title and clinched it against Blackpool, the club they defeated to lift Busby's first trophy (1948 FA Cup) on Saturday, April 7, 1956. did. The average age of the team was only 22 years old. "There were traces of the cradle on it, but they didn't show up," Basby said with pride.

1 It was necessary to prove that the success of the title in 955/56 was not a moment. But Basby wasn't just happy with domestic domination: he sought a new test in the form of the Europa League. United first appeared in the 1956-57 season, initially without the blessings of the Football League. In the qualifying round, he defeated Belgium's Anderlecht 100 with floodlights on the main road and won 20 wins. The result remains United's biggest win in a highly competitive game. United were eliminated in the semi-finals after also defeating Borussia Dortmund and Athletic Bilbao. This amazing Madrid team was too smart with 53 wins.

The Red Army marched at home. Fresh, young and hopeful Bobby Charlton scored properly twice against Charlton Athletic at his debut and was quickly dropped. This was a quality that Basby was free to use. The talented conveyor belt continued to move, securing the FA Youth Cup trophy for the fifth consecutive year. The league title was preserved as Taylor and Violet re-established a good team, but the highest scorer was Irishman Liam Welan, who scored 26 goals. United has become an irresistible force-mostly. Aston Villa's 21st victory at Wembley prevented them from winning twice as much as the first league and FA Cup of our time. Villa goalkeeper Peter McParland was the villain, and a jab on his shoulder at Ray Wood caused United goalkeeper to break his cheekbone.

Despite that disappointment, time was on United's side. The idea quickly turned into a title for the third consecutive year and another attack on Europe. Basby strengthened his baby with another big signature, and the keeper paid a world record fee to bring Harry Gregg. The

season was similar to the previous two and was smooth both domestically and in Europe. February began with a thrilling encounter with Arsenal at Highbury. United defeated Gunners 54 in a fascinating match. The ideal preparation for the second leg of the exciting European Cup quarterfinals with Red Star Belgrade ...

We will never forget.