Manchester United have arranged a special service outside of Old Trafford today to remember the victims of the Munich Air Disaster.
On this day – February 6th – 59 years ago was the fatal accident that claimed 23 lives, including those of eight Manchester United players known as the Busby Babes, as well as supporters and journalists.
In tribute to those who were lost, the club will host a gathering of fans from 14:45 this afternoon at Old Trafford, where several poems will be recited.
A minute’s silence will be held at 15:04, the time when the crash took place on the third attempt of a British European Airways flight to take off from a slush-covered runway at Munich-Reim Airport.
There will be readings by the club’s chaplain as well as renditions of The Pride of Football and The Flowers of Manchester.
A ceremony is also due to take place on Saturday (February 11th) ahead of United’s Premier League match with Watford – with fans able to gather at the South East corner of the stadium in the hours before the game to mark their respects.
Players will wear black armbands for the encounter, with families of the vicitims invited to attend as special guests of the club.
Manchester United have overhauled their social media accounts to mark today’s anniversary, with their Facebook and Twitter images changed to a black-and-white clock face marking the time 15:04.
Supporters are also encouraged to pay tribute via the hashtags #BusbyBabes and #FlowersOfManchester.
The Manchester United players who died in the crash
- Roger Byrne (28)
- Eddie Colman (31)
- David Pegg (22)
- Mark Jones (24)
- Tommy Taylor (26)
- Duncan Edwards (21)
- Geoff Brent (25)
- Bill Whealan (22)
[Mirror UK]
