United plan Munich memorial

Manchester United are planning a 'substantial, permanent memorial' in honour of the victims of the Munich air disaster.

On February 6 next year it will be 50 years since an Elizabethan plane carrying the United squad back from a European Cup tie in Belgrade crashed on take-off after a refuelling stop in Munich.

Twenty-three people lost their lives in the crash, including eight players - Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor, Liam Whelan and Duncan Edwards.

As usual, there will be a memorial service at the stadium on the actual day of the crash but Red Devils chief executive David Gill believes the 50th anniversary represents an ideal opportunity to remind younger supporters of the darkest day in the club’s history.

“The Munich air disaster is so much a part of the very fabric of Manchester United,” said Gill.

“Everyone who works at the club and who follows the club knows the significance of this terrible tragedy and the impact it has had upon the history of United.

“Our job is to ensure that such a major milestone as the 50th anniversary undoubtedly is, captures the importance of the event.

“We owe it to our young fans to keep fresh the memory of those who lost their lives in service to the club.

“It is right that this tribute will be both significant and easily accessible to all who visit the ground.”