6
Sir Jim Ratcliffe attended the memorial service right this moment at Outdated Trafford to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the Munich Air Catastrophe.
The tragedy, which occurred on sixth February 1958 at Munich Airport, claimed the lives of 23 individuals, together with eight members of the legendary ‘Busby Babes’ and three workers members. Manchester United describes it because the “darkest day” within the membership’s historical past.
“The eight gamers who perished had been Geoff Bent (aged 25), Roger Byrne (28), Eddie Colman (21), Duncan Edwards (21), Mark Jones (24), David Pegg (22), Tommy Taylor (26) and Liam Whelan (22). Edwards, thought of by many to be the best participant of his technology, died 15 days after the accident.
“The three membership officers who had been killed had been secretary Walter Crickmer, coach Tom Curry and coach Bert Whalley. Eight journalists died – Alf Clarke, Donny Davies, George Follows, Tom Jackson, Archie Ledbrooke, Henry Rose, Eric Thompson and former Manchester Metropolis goalkeeper Frank Swift.
“Plane captain Ken Rayment, fellow crew member Tom Cable, journey agent Bela Miklos and supporter Willie Satinoff, a buddy of United supervisor Sir Matt Busby, had been additionally victims of the horrible tragedy.”
When United performed Bayern Munich earlier within the season, the membership held a particular service on the Manchesterplatz – a memorial stone devoted those that misplaced their lives within the accident.
The German membership donated a “important monetary contribution” in the direction of its creation and subsequent upkeep, after it was unveiled in 2004. Bayern have additionally reserved a portion of their membership museum to an exhibition in regards to the tragedy.
A ceremony occurred at this website in Munich right this moment. Mike Phelan led the delegation representing the membership and likewise laid a wreath at Franz Beckenbauer’s graveside earlier within the day.
The memorial service held right this moment at Outdated Trafford was attended by Erik ten Hag, accompanied by Bruno Fernandes. Marc Skinner and Katie Zelem – supervisor and captain of the ladies’s workforce respectively – had been additionally current.
Sir Alex Ferguson attended; as did Paddy Crerand and Brian Kidd, two members of the workforce that lifted the European Cup in 1968 with Sir Matt Busy as supervisor. This win got here ten years after the catastrophe and was an necessary second within the collective therapeutic course of at United.
The membership’s new co-owner, Ratcliffe, was additionally current, accompanied by his right-hand man, Sir Dave Brailsford. It marks the primary time the INEOS proprietor has taken half within the poignant ceremony since his minority stake possession bid was accepted by the Glazer household in December.
Sir Alex Ferguson & Sir Jim Ratcliffe amongst these in attendance on the Munich air catastrophe memorial at Outdated Trafford this afternoon #MUFC pic.twitter.com/FCEQMKivqt
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) February 6, 2024
Ratcliffe’s attendance speaks to his agency intention to be an energetic presence as a co-owner at Outdated Trafford. It additionally paints him in direct distinction to his fellow American co-owners, whose absence was as anticipated because it was disrespectful.
The Glazers didn’t attend the service in 2008 and 2018, marking the fifty and sixty yr anniversaries of the tragedy. This absence encapsulates their relationship with the membership they purport to run.
As well as, late father Malcolm Glazer sparked outrage in 2005 when he made a recent bid to purchase the membership on the forty seventh anniversary, exhibiting what many followers felt was a disrespect and disrespect for the event.
Within the first few months of his time as United’s new proprietor, Ratcliffe has a concerted effort – by actions and phrases – for example he won’t function in an analogous method. His attendance at such an necessary second within the emotional material of the membership evidences this.
At the moment’s service was led by Reverend John Boyers, a former chaplain of the membership. It included a collection of poems, songs, and studying earlier than a superbly noticed two-minute silence was held at 3:04pm – the precise time of the crash 66 years in the past right this moment.
Relaxation in peace to each one who misplaced their life on that fateful day.
