The Darkest Day, The Dimmest Sky
As The Plane Struck, Silence Fell Across The Crowds,
Now That We Know, That They're Safe Among The Clouds!
So Friends And Families, Don't You Shed A Tear,
As They, We Know Are At Peace, Away From Fear!
And Though They Didn't Say Goodbye,
We Remember Them,
When The Moon Takes Over The Sky!
Oh We Remember Them,
The Darkest Day, The Dimmest Sky!
The date was 6 February 1958, as the Busby Babes ( Manchester United ) took off,
with their third attempt from a ice covered runway.
It was the Munich-Riem Airport, West of Germany.
The Reds were returning home, from a European Cup match in Belgrade, Yugoslavia,
which the drew 3-3 after winning the first leg 2-1.
There was this excitement, and rush, but the plane had to stop in Munich as
they had to refuel.
James Thain & Kenneth Rayment, the pilots
Taking off high as they could, after two failing attempts, were still unconfident about
the safe travel.
Though fearing that they would get too far behind, behind the schedule,
they took off, rejecting an overnight stay in Munich.
And that's when it all happened....
THE PILOTS.
James Thain -
James Thain, was a former flight lieutenant. He was known to be a good professional at what he did, which he did his best. Although, he was on probation for acting as a pilot officer back in April 1944,
but was promoted to being a pilot officer later that year.
After working as a Royal Air Force(RAF) officer, he was at manchester united as a command pilot to the plane when it suffered it's fatal accident.
Kenneth Rayment -
Kenneth Rayment, or locally called by the name ' Ken ', was also a British pilot.
It was Kenneth who decorated the second world war flying ace.
He was the co-pilot alongside James Thain, when the accident occurred.
Unfortunately, unlike James Thain, kenneth died after he was taken to the hospital.
THE MEMORABLE 8.
Roger Byrne
Roger that! Roger Byrne, Roger that!
He was the captain of Manchester United in those days.
The Rock at the back, the wall, the shield, who died at the age of 28.
Byrne was considered as one of the most gifted footballers of Manchester United.
He had this ability to tackle quickly, and was also an ariel threat.
His innovation and excellent leadership gave him the captain's arm band at Manchester United.
The full back had earned league winner medals in 1952, 1956 and 1957, and also was an FA Cup runner up in '57.
Roger Byrne, is still known to be as one of the most inspirational and skillful defenders that Manchester United ever had.
Mark Jones
Of course Mark Jones is rather an uncommon name when people talk about Legends at Manchester United.
But Mr. Jones, a young lad, born on 1933, joined Manchester after leaving his school at 1948.
An uncomplicated and unglamorous footballer, Jones was at the heart of Manchester United defense or many years before he died at the disaster of 1958.
Born in Yorkshire, Jones always wanted to join Manchester United.
He rejected offers from all the top clubs for United. Though, after joining the team, he was made to wait patiently for a chance in defense, as his boyhood hero had that place taken in the first teams.
Having not made his mark oil '53, he went to the national service.
But later rejoined and immediately took over the place his boyhood hero, Allenby Clinton had.
Fans still remember Mark Jones for his fatherly presence over other young players, his hat, and his trademark Pipe.
Duncan Edwards
While naming the best XI United ever had, unarguably, Duncan Edwards is the first name that comes to my mind. The Manchester United inside-forward or the centre half was selected for England Schoolboys at the age of thirteen, who later represented for the England National team as a captain.
Joining United as a 15 year old, he elevated into the A-team pretty quickly, skipping all the juniors.
At only 21, he had impacts like Eric Cantona's on the 1990's team.
It was like he was her catalyst.
Jimmy Murphy said, " If there was one player who would have made rebuilding after Munich so much easier it would have been Duncan Edwards. "
The legend had 21 goals in 177 appearances.
Passed away in the Munich air crash, after 15 days at hospital, at the age of 21, Duncan Edwards, was the most complete footballer in Britain, possibly the world, says Sir Matt Busby.
Tommy Taylor
Thomas "Tommy" Taylor, born at 29 January 1932, who scored 131 goals in 191 appearances was known to be the finest striker of that time. With his absolutely magnificent ariel ability, and beautiful first touch, he was named "Magnifico" by Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano.
Signed for a record fee of 29,999 thousand British pounds from Barnsley, Taylor proved his worth by having a goal ratio of 2 goals every 3 games, which remains surpassed.
Scoring twice on his debut, he scored in his first 11 games for Manchester United.
Back when he was at Barnsley, he got carried out to serving his country in the British army.
Having known as one of the most expensive players of Manchester United at that time, Tommy Taylor died in the tragic of 6th February 1958.
He was buried at a cemetery in his hometown at Barnsley.
Eddie Coleman
Born at Salford, Lancashire, Eddard "Eddie" Coleman joined Manchester United after he left school team at 1952. Playing alongside one of the greatest players in Britain, He finished winning Football League First Division title, following the championship medal and many more.
Scoring one in the league and the other in an European cup, Eddie, the wing half netted 2 in 85 appearances for the club.
Eddie was the youngest among the 23 people who died at the Munich air crash.
He was buried at a cemetery in his hometown, where a statue was erected alongside his graveyard.
Liam Whelan
Liam Whelan, Billy Whelan, Bill or William Augustine Whelan, whatever you call him,
Liam was an Irish footballer, the inside right forward, who scored 52 in 95, was one of the outstanding youngsters at Manchester United, more of an inspiration.
Whelan helped United win the championship in 1956, and taking the team to the finals at 1957.
Whelan was also quite remarkable at the international level, with 4 caps for the Republic Of Ireland National team.
He was the top scorer at Manchester United at 1956-57 season with 26 goals in the league and 7 in all other competitions combined.
Before joining Manchester, he played for his Irish club Home Farm.
William Augustine Whelan, born at 1 April 1935, was one of those 8 players who died at the Munich Air Crash on 6th February 1958.
David Pegg
The club's first choice outside left until the final few months, David Pegg signed for Manchester in 1950, making his club debut at the young age of 17, later in December 1952.
Born in the north of Doncaster, David Pegg was capped once for his England International team.
He is famous for his astonishing performance against Real Madrid in 1956-57 season.
The Manchester United outside left had 127 appearances for the club, where he netted 24 goals.
After his death at the Munich air crash, David Pegg was buried in his hometown Doncaster.
Geoff Bent
They said he was the best player who could not get into the first team, they said he was well built and a perfect tackler, the Manchester United centre half, the man who was not supposed to go, the man named Geoff Bent.
Born on September 27, 1932, the man from Lancashire, made his first senior appearance at 1954-55.
He was probably the most unluckiest player at Manchester United, with all the potential, yet on the bench for most of his career.
Geoff Bent joined United at 1948, and after making his way up to the top, made it to the first team at 1951.
Bent made 12 appearances for the club since then.
Unfortunately, Bent died in the Munich air crash, and was buried at a churchyard in Pendlebury.
Though not one of the most famous names, Geoffrey "Geoff" Bent will always be remembered.
Joining United as a 15 year old, he elevated into the A-team pretty quickly, skipping all the juniors.
At only 21, he had impacts like Eric Cantona's on the 1990's team.
It was like he was her catalyst.
Jimmy Murphy said, " If there was one player who would have made rebuilding after Munich so much easier it would have been Duncan Edwards. "
The legend had 21 goals in 177 appearances.
Passed away in the Munich air crash, after 15 days at hospital, at the age of 21, Duncan Edwards, was the most complete footballer in Britain, possibly the world, says Sir Matt Busby.
Tommy Taylor
Signed for a record fee of 29,999 thousand British pounds from Barnsley, Taylor proved his worth by having a goal ratio of 2 goals every 3 games, which remains surpassed.
Scoring twice on his debut, he scored in his first 11 games for Manchester United.
Back when he was at Barnsley, he got carried out to serving his country in the British army.
Having known as one of the most expensive players of Manchester United at that time, Tommy Taylor died in the tragic of 6th February 1958.
He was buried at a cemetery in his hometown at Barnsley.
Eddie Coleman
Born at Salford, Lancashire, Eddard "Eddie" Coleman joined Manchester United after he left school team at 1952. Playing alongside one of the greatest players in Britain, He finished winning Football League First Division title, following the championship medal and many more.
Scoring one in the league and the other in an European cup, Eddie, the wing half netted 2 in 85 appearances for the club.
Eddie was the youngest among the 23 people who died at the Munich air crash.
He was buried at a cemetery in his hometown, where a statue was erected alongside his graveyard.
Liam Whelan
Liam was an Irish footballer, the inside right forward, who scored 52 in 95, was one of the outstanding youngsters at Manchester United, more of an inspiration.
Whelan helped United win the championship in 1956, and taking the team to the finals at 1957.
Whelan was also quite remarkable at the international level, with 4 caps for the Republic Of Ireland National team.
He was the top scorer at Manchester United at 1956-57 season with 26 goals in the league and 7 in all other competitions combined.
Before joining Manchester, he played for his Irish club Home Farm.
William Augustine Whelan, born at 1 April 1935, was one of those 8 players who died at the Munich Air Crash on 6th February 1958.
David Pegg
Born in the north of Doncaster, David Pegg was capped once for his England International team.
He is famous for his astonishing performance against Real Madrid in 1956-57 season.
The Manchester United outside left had 127 appearances for the club, where he netted 24 goals.
After his death at the Munich air crash, David Pegg was buried in his hometown Doncaster.
Geoff Bent
Born on September 27, 1932, the man from Lancashire, made his first senior appearance at 1954-55.
He was probably the most unluckiest player at Manchester United, with all the potential, yet on the bench for most of his career.
Geoff Bent joined United at 1948, and after making his way up to the top, made it to the first team at 1951.
Bent made 12 appearances for the club since then.
Unfortunately, Bent died in the Munich air crash, and was buried at a churchyard in Pendlebury.
Though not one of the most famous names, Geoffrey "Geoff" Bent will always be remembered.
Bryne and Taylor, were those who capped for England side,
Irish Billy, and British Bent,
Coleman, Jones and Pegg,
They all lost their lives, as the plane plodded,
As it plodded through the snow.
The Eight flowers of English football,
The Eight Flowers of Manchester,
You'll never die.
We'll Never die.
#GGMU.
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