Remembering The Busby Babes

The darkest days in Manchester United history, The Tragic Munich Air Crash Disaster which had left the whole footballing world in tears during the winter time of 6th February. 1958

The ones who lost their lives included the high flying Manchester United team who coming back on their way after winning the European Cup quarter finals against Red Star Belgrade . They were called the Busby Babes because of their young age and their talented manager who made it all possible Sir Matt Busby. 

Let's see who were the players who died and the ones who survived. 

1. Geoffrey Bent 

He was United's full back came in through United's youth system. He died in Munich at the age of 25. 

2. Roger Bryne. 

The United Capitan and a full back. He died in Munich. He was aged 28. English player 

3. Eddie Colman 

Eddie Colman was also among the eight players who died in Munich. He was an English player from the academy and was a wing half aged 21.

4. Mark  Jones. 

He died in Munich and was center half aged 24. The England man was academy graduate. 

5. David Pegg. 

David Pegg was a left winger for United who had died instantly in the crash. He was 22 years old. 

6. Tommy Taylor. 

Taylor was an important forward for United. He was signed from Barnsley in 1953 and was aged 26 during his instant dead during the crash. 

7. William Whelan. 

William Whelan also known as Billy Whelan was a target forward for United. He instantly died in the crash at the age of 22 

8. Duncan Edwards. 

One of the most important player of the team and one of the most remembered player from the crash, Duncan Edwards died 15 days after the incident in a Munich hospital. He was a forward and of the most important players. He was also honored by a statue of him in his hometown Dudley, England. 

There were a few staff members who also died. 

1. Bert Whalley -  Chief Coach 

2. Tommy Crickmer -  Club Secretary 

3. Tommy Curry -  Trainer

There were also a few players who survived. 

1. Johnny Berry 

Johnny Berry was a left winger for United and was signed by them in 1951 from Birmingham City. He had survived the crash,  but was in Germany for one month for recovery as he had multiple injuries. He was not told about the incident until he returned to England as the doctors said that the trauma would be tragic on his mind. He never played again. 

2. Jackie Blanchflower. 

Jackie Blanchflower was a Northern Irish forward who joined from the youth academy. A half back. He never played again due to injures. 

3. Dennis Viollet 

Dennis Viollet was an inside forward for United and survived the crash in Munich. He showed great determination and continued playing football. 

4. Ray Wood 

Ray Wood was United's Goalkeeper and was known was his stamina and agility. The England man went on to resume his career soon after recovering. 

5. Albert Scanlon 

Albert Scanlon was a left winger for United and has survived the crash. He continued playing football. 

6.  Kenny Morgans. 

He was the youngest player to survive the crash at the age of 18 and had minor injuries. He was a right winger and went on to play football. 

7. Bill Foulkes. 

Foulkes was one of the most important player of United and he had survived the crash. He was a centre half and played 668 games for United and is 4th in the most Appearances for United. 

8. Harry Gregg 

Harry Gregg was United's first choice goalkeeper and survived the crash. He also helped people escape and evade the crash including, Sir Bobby Charlton, A pregnant woman and Sir Matt Busby. He went on and helped United during the rebuilding stage. 

9. Bobby Charlton 

The most known player, the most famous player and United Legend Sir Bobby Charlton was also a part of the crash but had survived. After returning to England. He was considered retirement at a young age. He was one of the brightest talents and an upcoming player. He was convinced by the manager to return and continue playing. He helped the club recover and became an integral part of the team. He became the best players United ever had and also part of the trinity statue of him, Dennis Law and George Best. He is 2nd in the all time leading scorer list after his record was recently broken by Wayne Rooney. He captained United to win the European Cup and also scored 2 goals in the match. He played as a forward and an attacking midfielder. 

9. Sir Matt Busby (Manager) 

One of the greatest ever managers of United Sir Matt Busby was the manager of United and also a crash surviver. He built the famous Busby Babes and helped the team win titles. He couldn't return to management in 1956 due recovery but returned in 1957. He guided the team to European Cup Glory for the first time in 1968. After the crash most of the team had most their live but he helped create a new team and a new generation of Busby Babes which included Sir Bobby Charlton, Dennis Law and George Best. He has a statue dedicated to him at Old Trafford. 

Post Crash and Rebuilding stage. 

After hearing the news of the crash assistant manager Jimmy Murphy was appointed manager who that time managed Wales. United were in desperate need of players and signed anyone who was available. He managed until the end of the season and then was taken over by Sir Matt Busby in 1957. 

The Munich Air Crash Disaster was saddest incident in football and the whole world mourned and prayed for the victims and families of the people who lost their lives in the crash. 

Last year we saw a similar situation where the Brazilian team plane of Chapecoense crashed. 

The Munich Air Disaster will be remembered as one of the most saddest and horrific moments in footballing history.