The Day Football Wept: The Munich Air Disaster (1958)

The Day Football Wept: The Munich Air Disaster (1958)

On a snow-covered runway in Munich, 6 February 1958, the roar of the aircraft’s engines gave way to silence. 

Manchester United’s plane was attempting a third takeoff after refuelling en-route from Belgrade. A few moments later, it crashed through a fence, broke apart, and burst into flames.

Twenty-three people died. Among them: eight of the club’s most promising young players. Known as the Busby Babes, they had dazzled Europe with talent, spirit, and youth. Now they are gone.

And football, in England, would never be the same.


TIMELINE 

February 5, 1958 – Triumph in Belgrade

Manchester United had just secured a spot in the European Cup semi-finals, drawing 3 – 3 with Red Star Belgrade to progress 5 – 4 on aggregate. The team, guided by Sir Matt Busby and driven by youth, was hailed as England’s next great sporting dynasty.

February 6, 1958 – Tragedy in Munich

Their BEA flight stopped in Munich for refuelling. After two aborted take-off attempts due to engine trouble, the crew tried again. Slush on the runway slowed the aircraft. It failed to lift. The plane skidded, smashed into a fence, and struck a house.

Of the 44 people on board, 23 lost their lives, some instantly, others later in hospital. Those who passed away included:

Geoff Bent
Roger Byrne (captain)
Eddie Colman
Duncan Edwards (died 15 days later)
Mark Jones
David Pegg
Tommy Taylor
Liam Whelan


Manager Matt Busby was seriously injured. Bobby Charlton and Harry Gregg survived. The press dubbed Gregg “The Hero of Munich” for pulling teammates from the wreckage.

February 7 – 14, 1958: A Nation in Mourning

The news stunned the UK. Flags flew at half-mast. Football matches opened with silence. Tributes poured in from around the world. In Manchester, mourners lined the streets outside Old Trafford.

Duncan Edwards, perhaps England’s most promising player, fought for his life in a Munich hospital but died on February 21.

Aftermath: Rebuilding from Ruins

Busby, recovering in hospital, reportedly told his wife he would resign. She replied, “No, you must live: for them.” He returned the next season. The club was rebuilt. And in 1968,  just ten years later Manchester United lifted the European Cup.

Bobby Charlton, a Munich survivor, scored twice in the final.

THE PRESS
AT THE TIME

The news broke like a thunderclap. Across Britain, front pages struggled to capture the scale of the loss.


The Daily Mirror carried the tragedy across its front page, in huge black letters that captured the shock of the moment:

“Soccer Air Tragedy – Manchester United Plane Crashes, 22 Dead”

The Daily Herald spoke with blunt sorrow, its banner headline stark and devastating:

“Soccer Disaster – 7 Die, 10 Live”

The News Chronicle spelt out the horror more fully, reminding readers just how many young lives had been taken:

“Soccer Plane Disaster – Seven Manchester United Stars Among 21 Dead”

The Daily Mail chose the phrase that fans had used with affection — and now, with grief — as it announced:

“7 Busby Boys Die”

LEGACY

The Munich Air Disaster was a deep wound for club and nation. In the golden age of post-war football, the Busby Babes had come to symbolise youthful joy, unity, and ambition.

Their passing reminded the world how fragile hope can be. But it also laid the foundation for the Manchester United we know today — one of the biggest clubs in world football.

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Read Manchester United’s Defining Moments

Munich. The Treble. And everything before and after.
See how it was reported at the time, in our Manchester United History Book.


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Each of our Newspaper Books are created with copies of authentic newspapers from specific dates or categories. Each book allows you to choose from various cover colours and designs, and to make it truly special by personalising it with a name and dedication, printed right in the book.

With Newspaper Date books you choose a specific date, for example a birthdate, and we'll create a book containing the front page for the specified date for every subsequent year since. For example, a date of July 13th, 1978, would contain the front page for July 13th for each year forward.

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As you create your Newspaper book, you'll be prompted to personalise it in a few different ways.

First, you'll be able to choose from a selection of cover colours, as well as a cover design. Simply click the options available, and you'll see the image update to match your selection, helping you to choose your favourite.

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And finally, a special dedication is printed right inside the book. You can opt to use or add to our pre-written sentiment, or write your very own from scratch.



Does it have to be personalised?

At this time, there isn't any way to create one of our newspaper books without a First Name. It's a request we've shared with our product team, but at the moment don't know when this option might be available.

Please note that anything that is entered into the recipient's name box will print exactly as it's entered. This means that writing 'no personalisation' for example, will result in your book printing with that showing on the cover.

If you prefer not to use a first name, we suggest using a phrase related to your chosen book. For example for writing "A big fan", or using nickname or relationship, such as "My Partner", or simply "You" or "Me"

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Our Original Newspapers are just that - authentic, original papers that were once hot off the press and sold at actual newsstands in the UK and US. Each paper is stored in our archive of over 3 million newspapers, dating back to the early 1900's and featuring 100s of editions.


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When you purchase one of our original newspapers, our team of archivists will carefully review your paper page by page. Being careful to examine and press each paper flat, they'll also repair any flaws and reinforce the paper as necessary with a special archival repair tape. This work ensures the paper you receive will be strong enough to enjoy for years to come.

Note that as these are real newspapers and not replicas, you'll be holding a piece of treasured history in your hands, one that others may have enjoyed throughout the decades before you. While our team takes care to ensure that each paper is suitable for gifting, due to the nature of newspapers and time itself, there may be minor flaws or imperfections, or signs of age.


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To see what options are available, visit our Original Newspapers Page and enter in your desired date. Upon clicking 'search' you'll see any editions available to order, clicking 'select' will allow you to view the price for the paper you've selected, as well as various gift box options available. Newspapers are priced based on age, rarity, and special historic events, and can vary between editions.

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For information about our Returns Policy, please visit this link >> HERE