… The Munich Air Disaster: A film about Manchester United's darkest day - YouTube They were known as the Busby Babes, the most talented crop of players ever developed by Manchester United. The Old Trafford faithful have been blessed with some incredible wingers down the years, from George Best and Ryan Giggs to David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. Four years earlier, then-United manager Alex Ferguson brought a full-strength squad to Windsor Park to face an Irish League XI in honor of Gregg, whose career at United ended without a testimonial. The Munich air disaster: a timeline The timeline looks at some of the key moments in the story of the Munich air disaster, how the tragedy unfolded on … “A real tough nut,” United said of its former ’keeper, “Gregg was vocal, commanding and abrasive.”. Eight United players died in the crash. LONDON (AP) — Harry Gregg, a former Manchester United goalkeeper called the “hero of Munich” for rescuing two teammates as well as a baby and her pregnant mother from the burning fuselage in the 1958 air disaster that killed 23 people, has died. Photo: Alan Wilson via Wikimedia Commons What should have been a triumphant return. But like Blanchflower, he was only a reserve when United flew to what was then Yugoslavia to take on Red Star just four months before his 32nd birthday. Eight members of the Manchester United squad died in the Munich air disaster, and 23 people in total lost their lives. Football, 1958 Munich Air Disaster, 6th February Manchester United crash on the way home from Belgrade, W,T, Cable, a member of the flight crew who... February 1958. Journalists: Frank Taylor; Peter Howard (photographer); Ted Ellyard (photographer). Munich runway crash: Living hell of pilot blamed for deaths of Busby Babes | Express.co.uk. Players: Roger Byrne (club captain); Mark Jones; Duncan Edwards; Tommy Taylor; Eddie Colman; Liam Whelan; David Pegg; Geoff Bent. Other: Vera Lukic (passenger); Venona Lukic (passenger); James Thain (captain); Rosemary Cheverton (cabin crew); Margaret Bells (cabin crew); George Rodgers (radio officer); Nebojsa Tomasevic (passenger); Mrs Miklos (wife of Bela). Manchester United will soon be commemorating the 60th anniversary of one of the most tragic events in the history of the club - the Munich air disaster. Other: Kenneth Rayment (co-pilot); Bela Miklos (travel agent); Willie Satinoff (fan); Tom Cable (steward). T he Munich air disaster occurred on 6 February 1958 when British European Airways flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway at … But two in that talented squad who did survive the tragedy were never able to play again. Lukic, a 49-year old man by this stage, told Gregg Manchester United will soon be commemorating the 60th anniversary of one of the most tragic events in the history of the club - the Munich air disaster. Journalists: Alf Clarke (Manchester Evening Chronicle); Don Davies (Manchester Guardian); George Follows (Daily Herald); Tom Jackson (Manchester Evening News); Archie Ledbrooke (Daily Mirror); Henry Rose (Daily Express); Eric Thompson (Daily Mail); Frank Swift (News of the World). He was 87. The Munich air disaster occurred on 6 February 1958 when British European Airways flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway at Munich-Riem Airport, West Germany. In his program notes, Ferguson described Gregg as “beyond legendary” and “a most reluctant hero.”. Despite the role he played in a trophy-laden period for United, he was evicted from club accommodation when it became clear he would not play again, and went on to pursue a life as a businessman. In an era blessed with some of England's most celebrated wingers in the form of Stanley Matthews and Tom Finney, the Aldershot-born Berry still managed to impress. Harry Gregg played over 200 games for Manchester United after the Munich air disaster. He ran a sweets shop and then worked with a bookmaker, but would find true post-football success as an after-dinner speaker. Matt Busby of Manchester United in an oxygen tent after the Munich plane disaster in 1958, On 6 February 1958, the United team known as the Busby... Manchester United players Ken Morgan, left, and Bobby Charlton receive hot soup from a nurse at the Isar Hospital in … The story of the Munich Air Disaster when 23, including eight of Manchester United's Busby Babes, lost their lives Gregg is in attendance at Old Trafford this afternoon for … “In short, he was, without question, one of the great figures in United’s history and his name and deeds, both on and off the field, will always be remembered and revered.”. Sixty years ago a shocked young air stewardess stepped gingerly from the wreckage of a shattered plane in Munich. HEROIC Harry Gregg has spoken of the moving moment he was reunited with the baby, mother and unborn child he rescued from the Munich air disaster. Vesna Lukic – Vera Lukic’s 22 month old baby Eleanor Miklos – wife of Bela Miklos Nebosja Tomašević – Yugoslavian Diplomat (died 2017) James Thain – Pilot (died 1975) Rosemary Cheverton – Airline Stewardess Margaret Bellis – Airline Stewardess (died 1998) George William Rodgers, Airline Radio Officer (died 1997) Sir Matt Busby had a team at his disposal built mainly of academy graduates, who looked set for world domination until the disaster. “He will always be remembered for what he did at Munich,” Charlton was quoted as saying by the BBC, “but on top of that he was a really great goalkeeper.”, In his autobiography, called “Harry’s Game,” Gregg said the air disaster in Munich “established my identity” but “the notoriety has come at a price.”. Former Manchester United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Harry Gregg, hailed as a hero of the 1958 Munich air disaster, has died at the age of 87. The team was returning from a European Cup game when their airplane crashed after refueling in Munich. The Harry Gregg Foundation confirmed his passing in … Harry was a … Gregg was awarded an OBE in the 2019 New Year Honours. Football fans, players and the families of victims of the Munich air disaster have held a minute’s silence at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium 60 years after the tragedy.. Harry Gregg: The Hero of Munich. Of the nine United players to survive the crash, only two are still alive: Bobby Charlton, who is now 80-years-old and a club ambassador; and goalkeeper Harry Gregg, 85. He suffered a fractured pelvis, multiple limb fractures and crushed kidneys, and he was forced into an early retirement. The Munich air disaster occurred on 6 February 1958, when British European Airways Flight 608 crashed on its third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway at Munich-Riem Airport in Munich, West Germany. Rosemary Cheverton had miraculously escaped … Gregg escaped the wreckage, having sustained only a bloody nose, but returned on two occasions to help teammates Bobby Charlton and Dennis Viollet and then a 20-month-old girl and her badly injured mother. 20 of the 44 on the aircraft died. Signed from Birmingham City for £25,000 in 1951, Berry helped the Reds to the championship in his first season, scoring six goals in the process. British European Airways flight 609 was a one-stop service from Belgrade, Yugoslavia to Manchester via Munich.Among its passengers were players and staff from Manchester United. Sixty years ago today, the sporting world was stunned by news that eight of Manchester United's iconic Busby Babes had died in a plane crash in Munich. When Windsor Park in Belfast was officially reopened following development in 2016, Gregg was afforded a warm on-field ovation by the fans as well as meeting boxing champion Carl Frampton and golfer Rory McIlroy. ... After pulling a baby … He became the first surviving player of the air disaster to die when he passed away after a short illness in September 1994, aged 68. A former Northern Ireland international, Gregg spent nine years with Manchester United after joining as the world’s most expensive goalkeeper in 1957. On board the plane was the Manchester United football team, nicknamed the "Busby Babes", along with a number of supporters and journalists. Gregg played 25 times for Northern Ireland, including at the 1958 World Cup, when he was selected as the best goalkeeper in the competition. He was hailed as a hero following the Munich air crash where he pulled several people to safety from the wreckage including teammates Bobby Charlton, Dennis Viollet, a 20-month old baby … Duncan Edwards - tipped to become one United and England's greatest ever players - and captain Roger Byrne were among the players killed on the afternoon of 6 February 1958, along with several journalists and coaching staff, a club official, a steward, a supporter, a travel agent and the co-pilot. Munich air disaster: The tragedy and aftermath that will forever be at the heart of Manchester United’s history David Meek recalls heroism and heartache from exactly 60 years ago. Players: Bill Foulkes; Harry Gregg; Johnny Berry; Jackie Blanchflower; Bobby Charlton; Ken Morgans; Albert Scanlon; Dennis Viollet; Ray Wood. More AP soccer https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports, FILE - This Sept. 5, 1957 file photo shows Manchester United and Ireland goalkeeper Harry Gregg. “For Munich has cast a shadow over my life which I found difficult to dispel,” he wrote. Harry Gregg, the former Manchester United goalkeeper who was described as a “hero of Munich" for rescuing two teammates as well as a baby and her pregnant mother from the burning fuselage in the 1958 air disaster that killed 23 people, has died. He was 87. The goalkeeper dragged a baby, her pregnant mother and two of his Manchester United team-mates to safety from the wreckage of the plane. Gregg also helped revive United manager Matt Busby, who survived the disaster. At the top left is Captain James Thain, the pilot on the ill-fated flight, in the light jacket is wireless operator George W. Rogers and in the foreground are stewardesses Rosemary Bellis and Margaret Cheverton. #16 Survivors of the Munich air disaster leave Munich for London, 8th February 1958. He left Old Trafford for a brief spell at Stoke before an underwhelming managerial career, when he was in charge of Shrewsbury, Swansea, Crewe and Carlisle. February 17, 2020 LONDON (AP) — Harry Gregg, a former Manchester United goalkeeper called the “hero of Munich” for rescuing two teammates as well as a baby and her pregnant mother from the burning fuselage in the 1958 air disaster that killed 23 people, has died. In a 2008 BBC Documentary for the 50th anniversary of the crash, One Life: Munich Air Disaster, Harry Gregg met Zoran Lukic at Munich Airport. Munich Air Disaster: The survivors who never played again, Jackie Blanchflower (back row, centre) and Johnny Berry (front row, second from left) were key members of Matt Busby's squad, Jackie Blanchflower was capped 12 times by Northern Ireland, The Munich clock at Old Trafford reads 3.04pm, the time that the plane crashed on 6 February 1958, Johnny Berry is considered one of the greatest players to wear United's number seven shirt, United fans display a banner commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster at the weekend, The Busby Babes are among United's most celebrated players, Manchester United honour Munich victims on 60th anniversary. He arrived from the Midlands with a big reputation and he lived up to it immediately. An Airspeed Ambassador similar to the one involved in the Munich Air Disaster. (PA via AP, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. On 6 February 1958, a charter plane carrying 44 people crashed after refuelling at Munich Airport. Three of those men wore United's iconic number seven shirt, like Chilean Alexis Sanchez now, but Johnny Berry wore it before them all. Feb 6 2021, 2:44 ET TODAY marks 63 years since the Munich air disaster, which robbed Manchester United of eight players. The Munich air disaster occurred on 6 February 1958, when British European Airways Flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway at Munich-Riem Airport in Munich, West Germany. He even had a go in goal that year, when keeper Ray Wood was forced off injured in an FA Cup final defeat to Everton. He was 87. On the plane was the Manchester United football team, nicknamed the "Busby Babes", along with supporters and journalists. In the aftermath, there was hope he would be able to continue a career that had seen him lift two league titles and score 27 goals, but his injuries proved too severe. And like Blanchflower, severe head injuries meant he was never able to play again. Duncan Edwards - tipped to … The book divides into three parts. Twenty-three people were killed when the plane crashed as it took off in the snow - the third attempt captain James Thain had made to get airborne. Harry Gregg was hailed a hero after the Munich air disaster (Paul Faith/PA) It was Gregg who sought out and delivered to safety a 20-month old baby, Gregg who returned for her badly injured, pregnant mother and Gregg who dragged Bobby Charlton and Dennis Viollet from the wreckage by their waistbands, not knowing if they were dead or alive. ... wife of a Yugoslavian diplomat and her baby … Sixty years ago today, the sporting world was stunned by news that eight of Manchester United's iconic Busby Babes had died in a plane crash in Munich. Born in Belfast in March 1933, Blanchflower had only just turned 25 when tragedy struck on the slush-covered runway at Munich-Riem Airport. He was hailed as a hero following the Munich air crash where he pulled several people to safety from the wreckage including teammates Bobby Charlton, Dennis Viollet, a 20-month old baby and her pregnant mother. Gregg died peacefully in a hospital, surrounded by family, The Harry Gregg Foundation announced Monday Feb. 17, 2020. Gregg died peacefully in a hospital, surrounded by family, The Harry Gregg Foundation said Monday. The Northern Ireland international - younger brother of Tottenham Hotspur skipper Danny - had made his debut for United in November 1951 against rivals Liverpool as part of a back four, but he became well known at Old Trafford for his versatility. ore than 60 years ago, tragedy struck the world of football when a plane carrying Manchester United players crashed in thick snow at Munich Airport. While in Munich, I visited the simple memorial in the suburb of Trudering at the very site, now named Manchesterplatz, where the ill fated flight carrying the Busby Babes tragically crashed on its third attempt to take-off on 6 February 1958. He played 247 times for the club, including in a victory in an FA Cup match against Sheffield Wednesday 13 days after the air crash in February 1958. [1] Gregg was part of the team rebuilt by Busby after the Munich disaster but never won a medal with United, injury having ruled him out of the win over Leicester in the 1963 FA Cup final and restricting his appearances in two title-winning campaigns , in 1964-65 and 1966-67. Blanchflower had made 117 appearances for United when he travelled with the squad as a reserve for a European Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade - the fixture from which the team were travelling back when the air disaster happened. For a cub reporter, Harry Gregg could be intimidating, cranky even. Berry was also kicked out of club accommodation and so moved back to Aldershot to open a sportswear business with brother Peter, who used to play for Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace. :: Manchester United will host a service at Old Trafford from 2.40pm on Tuesday to mark the 60th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster, with turnstiles at the Lower East Stand to open from 1.30pm. Some of those fortunate to escape with their lives went on to become some of the most successful figures in the history of Old Trafford, from manager Matt Busby to former record scorer Bobby Charlton, while the likes of Albert Scanlon and Dennis Viollet also continued their careers at the top. Berry was a quick and skilful player who regularly made the right flank his own over the course of 276 appearances for the club, in which he notched 45 goals. :: Manchester United honour Munich victims on 60th anniversary. Staff: Walter Crickmer (secretary); Bert Whalley (coach); Tom Curry (coach). 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