6th of February, 50th Anniversary of the 1958 Munich air crash

[dukeofdavinci]

Manchester United have announced plans to mark the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster on 6 February 2008.

* United players to wear a retro 1950s-style kit against Manchester City on 10 February

* Permanent, free exhibition telling the story of the Busby Babes

* South Stand tunnel to be renamed the Munich Tunnel

* Memorial service involving survivors, relatives of those who died, guests and fans

* MUTV to broadcast free-to-air on 6 February

The centrepiece of the commemorations will be the creation of a free, permanent exhibition telling the story of the Busby Babes. The exhibition, to be unveiled in the South Stand tunnel at Old Trafford (which will be renamed the Munich Tunnel), will be open to all visitors and designed to educate younger fans about the Busby Babes' early triumphs, the tragedy of the crash, the rebuilding process and United's eventual European Cup triumph in 1968.

A memorial service involving survivors and relatives of those who died will be held in the Manchester Suite at Old Trafford. The service will coincide with the moment in 1958 that the plane carrying players and staff back from Belgrade crashed on take-off at Munich airport. Details outlining how United fans can join invited guests will be published in January.

In addition, United's subscription TV channel, MUTV, will broadcast a series of exclusive, in-depth features and documentaries on 6 February, when all programmes will be free-to-air and without advertisements to Sky and cable customers.

The Reds' closest home match to the anniversary is on 10 February against neighbours Manchester City, who provided considerable support and assistance in the immediate aftermath of the crash and whose former goalkeeper, Frank Swift – a journalist on the ill-fated flight – died in the wreckage. Following a request some months ago, the Premier League has agreed to set aside its usual rules on kit design to allow the team to wear a special 1950s-style kit in the match, free from sponsorship and numbered 1 to 11. The kit is a one-off and will not be available for purchase. All fans present at the 10 February game will receive a memento of the occasion.

Club Chief Executive David Gill said: “The Munich air crash was not just about Manchester United. It devastated the lives of the 23 families of those who died, as well as those who never played again and united a city in grief. Those who are able to remember it say it was Manchester’s 'Kennedy moment': everyone knows where they were when the terrible news came through.

“It is a heavy responsibility that those of us who work for this great Club and those who live and work in this magnificent city have to show respect, admiration and regret over that loss some five decades ago. I hope the exhibition will enable generations of fans to understand the place Sir Matt and his teams have in the Club’s history, from the birth of the Babes to his crowning achievement in 1968.

“I believe that, in partnership with the families, fans, authorities, Manchester City and our sponsors, we have created a programme that will enable everyone to remember, pay respect to and learn about a wonderful side, cut down in its prime.

“The sincere thanks of the Club go to AIG and Nike for their wholehearted backing for the kit change, and to the Premier League for allowing us to mark the event in a unique way.”

glad to hear the club has load of activities in remembering our fallen roses.better yet its on the citeh game whr i will make my trip to old trafford.

its been a while since my last game there(the roma game if im not mistaken)

[unitedfan]

Very good these. Playing without the sponsors, in the retro style kits is a big gesture especially, imo.

[Mr Brightside]

The kit change is a tremendous tribute and thanks must go to Nike, AIG and the Premier League for allowing it to happen.

I sincerely hope that the Citeh fans acknowledge and pay tribute to the greatness of our 1958 team. By that, I hope they don't boo or whistle during the minute's silence, if there is one of course. Manchester City played a huge part in helping us to rise from the ashes of this tragedy, and we should never forget that, so it's fitting that we should be playing them on the 50th anniversary of the disaster.

Munich's 50th anniversary. 40 years on from our first European Cup triumph.

Can we win it again for that fantastic team ?

I certainly hope so.

[russe||]

Originally Posted by Mr Brightside

The kit change is a tremendous tribute and thanks must go to Nike, AIG and the Premier League for allowing it to happen.

I sincerely hope that the Citeh fans acknowledge and pay tribute to the greatness of our 1958 team. By that, I hope they don't boo or whistle during the minute's silence, if there is one of course. Manchester City played a huge part in helping us to rise from the ashes of this tragedy, and we should never forget that, so it's fitting that we should be playing them on the 50th anniversary of the disaster.

Munich's 50th anniversary. 40 years on from our first European Cup triumph.

Can we win it again for that fantastic team ?

I certainly hope so.

I think winning it this year especially will mean so much to everyone at the club.


Apparently there is a going to be a minutes applause. Which I don't agree with at all. Some occasions applause is more fitting than a minutes silence but IMO this isn't one.

I really like what the club have decided to do to mark the occasion and am glad we are playing City on that weekend, it is just so fitting.

I'd really like to be able to buy one of the 50's style retro kits but there is no way the club could sell them without looking like they are cashing in on the tragedy plus Nike and AIG would have a fit if MUFC started selling shirts without their logos all over.

[dukeofdavinci]

I'd really like to be able to buy one of the 50's style retro kits but there is no way the club could sell them without looking like they are cashing in on the tragedy plus Nike and AIG would have a fit if MUFC started selling shirts without their logos all over.

yeah thought the same thing, i wonder if any of the lads will throw one at the fans, if they did i hope they throw it at the stand whr i sitting

but it sure will be displayed at the ot and at the clubs muzium and mega store i reckon.

[kennethlindheim]

Would be a fitting tribute for United's old heroes. Should be a emotional day for all around OT.

[LAF]

Originally Posted by russe||

I think winning it this year especially will mean so much to everyone at the club.


Apparently there is a going to be a minutes applause. Which I don't agree with at all. Some occasions applause is more fitting than a minutes silence but IMO this isn't one.

I really like what the club have decided to do to mark the occasion and am glad we are playing City on that weekend, it is just so fitting.

I'd really like to be able to buy one of the 50's style retro kits but there is no way the club could sell them without looking like they are cashing in on the tragedy plus Nike and AIG would have a fit if MUFC started selling shirts without their logos all over.

You'll probably find ones made for 2p on ebay.

[usamu]

Originally Posted by russe||

I'd really like to be able to buy one of the 50's style retro kits but there is no way the club could sell them without looking like they are cashing in on the tragedy plus Nike and AIG would have a fit if MUFC started selling shirts without their logos all over.

They're not the exact same, but you can buy the 1963 kit. There's no logos other than the crest.

[Mr Brightside]

Originally Posted by russe||

Apparently there is a going to be a minutes applause. Which I don't agree with at all. Some occasions applause is more fitting than a minutes silence but IMO this isn't one.

On this occasion, a minute's silence would be more fitting, I agree.

Celebrating Bestie with applause was different because he was the 5th Beatle, our 1st Beckham, and applause and cheering was appropriate.

Munich was so different.

[russe||]

Originally Posted by Mr Brightside

On this occasion, a minute's silence would be more fitting, I agree.

Celebrating Bestie with applause was different because he was the 5th Beatle, our 1st Beckham, and applause and cheering was appropriate.

Munich was so different.

Exactly.

[dukeofdavinci]

On this occasion, a minute's silence would be more fitting, I agree.

Celebrating Bestie with applause was different because he was the 5th Beatle, our 1st Beckham, and applause and cheering was appropriate.

Munich was so different.

they are not forgotten in our theater of dreams.

[dukeofdavinci]

more and more involvements in remembering our fallen heroes.

Manchester City FC will join Manchester United FC in marking the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster when they visit Old Trafford in the Premier League next month.

Special kit
City will wear a special kit incorporating a black ribbon and with their sponsors' branding removed to reflect their own involvement in the tragedy, which claimed the life of their former England goalkeeper Frank Swift who played for the club from 1933 to 1949. The disaster, on 6 February 1958, occurred when the aircraft carrying United back from a European Champion Clubs' Cup match in Belgrade crashed on take-off after a refuelling stop in Munich.

Respect
Eight of Sir Matt Busby's exciting young team, dubbed 'the Busby Babes', died as did 15 other people including Swift, who was covering the game as a reporter. A letter and a photograph of Swift will be handed to all 3,000 City fans attending the match on 10 February, signed by manager Sven-Göran Eriksson and captain Richard Dunne, and urging them to respect and support the commemorations taking place on the pitch before the game.

City hopeful
"Many supporters will already be aware that Manchester City lost one of our own in the tragedy. We ask that all supporters uphold the good name of Manchester City and respectfully support the commemorations which will also be attended by friends and family of the victims including Frank Swift's family," a statement said.

United
Former Manchester United secretary Ken Ramsden, who has helped organise the anniversary events, said on Wednesday: "What happened at Munich was not just a disaster for United but for the whole city of Manchester and we are sure that City fans will unite with us and share in the occasion with us." United will also wear a special replica of their 1958 kit during the derby, devoid of the players' names and shirt numbers.

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guys i hope the mod can stick this thread at least until after our city game.just so that this thread remains afloat in our discussions.

[Mr Brightside]

I didn't realise that City were also wearing a special kit, so sincere thanks and commendation should go to them.

It was a disaster for the city of Manchester as a whole, so hopefully all supporters recognise that and respect the day. Should anybody disrespect it, which I'm sure won't happen, they should be banned from football for life.

[johnnie bates]

Like when scum united fans cheered when Don Revie died. Sky had a match on tv and left the microphones on so everyone watching on tv could hear the vermin chant.

It was a sad day for all concerned family or football, but don't go saying people should be banned for dis respecting the day. People in glass houses.

[unitedfan]

Like when scum united fans cheered when Don Revie died. Sky had a match on tv and left the microphones on so everyone watching on tv could hear the vermin chant.

Unfortunately, there are some Leeds fans, in particular, who would still chant in amusement at the Munich air crash. I just hope you aren't one of them.

I agree with Brightside that no-one should disrespect the day, but enforcing that would defeat the point. It should just be accepted that when something like this is commemorated, that's the call - a two minute ceasefire and a little respect isn't much to ask of a football fan.