It was the 68th anniversary of the tragic Munich Air Disaster on Friday and a ceremony took place at Old Trafford.
Fans gather at Old Trafford to mark the 68th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster.(Image: Manchester Evening News)
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Manchester United marked the 68th anniversary of the tragic Munich Air Disaster with a poignant remembrance service on Friday. In the rain, hundreds of supporters paid their respects to those who died.
The remembrance ceremony at Old Trafford on the anniversary of the tragedy has grown each year. United show their class on February 6, and some in the crowd had tears in their eyes.
Reverend John Boyers, former United club chaplain, led proceedings in typically dignified fashion. Boyers was valued by Sir Alex Ferguson, was the chaplain at Gary Neville's wedding and discussed racism with Paul Pogba. Boyers retired eight years ago, but feels it's an honour to still lead the remembrance service.
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"We all gather once more to recall and reflect, we will remember with solemnity those killed in the tragic accident on that slushy Munich runway, on a cold, grey afternoon in 1958," said Boyers.
"Today is a solemn and serious remembrance of that tragic part of Manchester United's history, but we also want to reflect on what followed, and how the club rebuilt itself to achieve European success within 10 years."
United boss Michael Carrick attended the service alongside members of his backroom staff, Steve Holland and Jonny Evans. Bruno Fernandes laid a wreath alongside women's team captain Maya Le Tissier.
Omar Berrada, CEO, and Jason Wilcox, director of football, were there to pay their respects. Staff members from each United department attended, along with representatives from the different academy teams.
Edwin van der Sar respectfully observed the service alongside United's representatives. The former goalkeeper spoke to the Manchester Evening News and said: "It's a combination [visiting Manchester]. I'm here for the game against Tottenham, but I thought I would come to show my respect for the team that didn't survive in Munich. I have been to a service before, and the memorial in Munich.
"I was here when we played the 50th anniversary of the remembrance, when we wore the special shirts. I think the history of the club is immense, and Munich is part of the footprint that the club has, so it's important to pay respect to the players and staff who didn't survive the crash."
Van der Sar knew the importance of the disaster when he was a player. "I was aware of it, of course. The Manchester boys, like Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, they told us the importance," he said.
Edwin van der Sar attended the service.(Image: Manchester Evening News)
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Journalist Andy Mitten spoke after Rev Boyers' opening remarks. Mitten spoke about unearthing new Munich-related stories, 68 years on, and how Karl-Heinz Rummenigge reflects on the disaster.
"Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are fantastic at remembering. Let's not forget tiny Bishop Aukland as well," he said during his speech. "Alongside the giants of Red Star Belgrade, Manchester City and Liverpool. But that's enough compliments to those two clubs for this afternoon."
Annie Marsh and Harry Oliver Harper, representatives from United's Under-13 teams, bravely stood on stage and read a poem written from Sir Matt Busby's viewpoint. Other youngsters joined the stage during the service. United are conscious of teaching the history of the disaster to future generations.
Sammy McIlroy recalled growing up in Belfast and how he learned about the crash. McIlroy said his schoolteacher "loved United" and was "absolutely heartbroken" by the disaster.
McIlroy explained that Mr Norman liked to pretend he was Sir Bobby Charlton when they played football at school. Charlton miraculously survived the Munich Air Disaster and was at the heart of United's rebuild.
"The Red Devils will rise again," Jimmy Murphy said just a few days after the crash. “It will again be a long, tiring job to rebuild the Red Devils. This time, we have to start practically from scratch. But we'll do it."
A rendition of The Flowers of Manchester from Pete Martin followed: "One cold and bitter Thursday in Munich, Germany, eight great football stalwarts conceded victory, eight men will never play again, who met destruction there, the flowers of English football, the Flowers of Manchester."
Martin reflected on his 20th year of singing The Flowers of Manchester at a remembrance service, saying that when he started, it was just him and a microphone, and "people walking past."
The anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster continues to be commemorated. "We will remember them," said Boyers.