People often ask me - "Why are you so passionate about Manchester United? Is it because they are the best? Is it because they are the champions?" But I don't love Manchester United because of these reasons. Manchester United are more than a football club to me. They are a source of inspiration, something that teaches you to keep trying your best even when it seems that everything is lost.
The story began after World War II. Old Trafford was destroyed during the war and United had to share Maine Road Stadium with Man City. Enter Matt Busby, former Manchester City and Liverpool player. He had the opportunity to be a part of the coaching staff at Liverpool who were champions at that time. But he chose Manchester United. Man United under Matt Busby started to play a brand of free flowing attacking football which was new to English football. His innovative ways started to reap rewards as the club climbed its way to become one of the best clubs in England.
He soon realized that he needed young blood to replace the players who had served the club for a long time. He developed youngsters like Bobby Charlton, Duncan Edwards, Bill Foulkes and brought them into the squad at the age of 17-18 years only. Soon, the team full of youngsters popularly known as the "Busby Babes" started to win trophies. They won everything that was there to be won in England. With the players still improving, sky seemed to be the limit for Busby Babes.
At that time, the European Cup Competition had just started which is now known as the Champions League. Busby took his team to Europe even against the wishes of the Football Association. In their first tournament, Man United reached the semi finals and were beaten by eventual winners Real Madrid. In the very next season, United were marching on all fronts when the European tie against Red Star Belgrade arrived. After winning the home leg 2-1, Busby Babes were confident of marching on. The away match proved to be a thrilling encounter as Man United threw a 3-0 lead away. The match ended 3-3 and United were through on aggregate.On 6th February 1958, the plane that was bringing the players back stopped in Munich for refueling. The weather was bad but the pilot decided to take off. After two attempts failed, he went for it the third time. But the plane crashed through the fence and caught fire. 7 members of the squad (Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Billy Whelan) died on the spot. As goalkeeper Harry Gregg dragged the survivors out of the wreckage, the biggest tragedy in English football had occurred and the team that was supposed to achieve new heights had perished.
Matt Busby and Duncan Edwards were fighting for their lives as assistant manager Jimmy Murphy took charge at Old Trafford. He went to Munich. Duncan Edwards asked about the next fixture to know if he would be able to take part in it. Goes to show the character of the lad. Busby told Jimmy to keep the red flag flying high. After 15 days of struggle, Duncan Edwards passed away. Man United had a match coming up in 13 days but there wasn't a team left to participate in it. A few survivors, a couple of new signings and some academy players accumulated to form a team that defeated Sheffield Wednesday 3-0. For the first time, nobody was happy even after a win.
The flowers of Manchester had been lost but the spirit with which they played wasn't lost. Miraculously, Matt Busby recovered from his injuries and came back to pick up the reins at Old Trafford. He built yet another great side with Munich survivors and new talent like Denis Law and George Best. This side won the European Cup in 1968, 10 years after the crash. Matt Busby was knighted following the cup win. We can only imagine what Man United could have achieved if the disaster hadn't occurred.
26th May 1999 would have been Sir Matt's 90th birthday if he was alive. Manchester United won the Treble on that day as if they were paying tribute to the man popularly known as Mr. Manchester United. 6th Feb 2008 was the 50th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster and the club commemorated it in a splendid way. Fans played their part as well. One minute silence was peacefully observed in the Manchester Derby the following weekend. Even the rival fans came together to mark the event as I sit here typing my own remembrance with a tear in my eye.
United's flag is deepest red
It shrouded all our Munich dead
Before their limbs grew stiff and cold
Their heart's blood dyed it's ev'ry fold
Then raise United's banner high
Beneath it's shade we'll live and die
So keep the faith and never fear
We'll keep the Red Flag flying here
We'll never die, we'll never die
We'll never die, we'll never die
We'll keep the Red flag flying high
'Cos Man United will never die
The story began after World War II. Old Trafford was destroyed during the war and United had to share Maine Road Stadium with Man City. Enter Matt Busby, former Manchester City and Liverpool player. He had the opportunity to be a part of the coaching staff at Liverpool who were champions at that time. But he chose Manchester United. Man United under Matt Busby started to play a brand of free flowing attacking football which was new to English football. His innovative ways started to reap rewards as the club climbed its way to become one of the best clubs in England.
He soon realized that he needed young blood to replace the players who had served the club for a long time. He developed youngsters like Bobby Charlton, Duncan Edwards, Bill Foulkes and brought them into the squad at the age of 17-18 years only. Soon, the team full of youngsters popularly known as the "Busby Babes" started to win trophies. They won everything that was there to be won in England. With the players still improving, sky seemed to be the limit for Busby Babes.
At that time, the European Cup Competition had just started which is now known as the Champions League. Busby took his team to Europe even against the wishes of the Football Association. In their first tournament, Man United reached the semi finals and were beaten by eventual winners Real Madrid. In the very next season, United were marching on all fronts when the European tie against Red Star Belgrade arrived. After winning the home leg 2-1, Busby Babes were confident of marching on. The away match proved to be a thrilling encounter as Man United threw a 3-0 lead away. The match ended 3-3 and United were through on aggregate.On 6th February 1958, the plane that was bringing the players back stopped in Munich for refueling. The weather was bad but the pilot decided to take off. After two attempts failed, he went for it the third time. But the plane crashed through the fence and caught fire. 7 members of the squad (Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Billy Whelan) died on the spot. As goalkeeper Harry Gregg dragged the survivors out of the wreckage, the biggest tragedy in English football had occurred and the team that was supposed to achieve new heights had perished.
Matt Busby and Duncan Edwards were fighting for their lives as assistant manager Jimmy Murphy took charge at Old Trafford. He went to Munich. Duncan Edwards asked about the next fixture to know if he would be able to take part in it. Goes to show the character of the lad. Busby told Jimmy to keep the red flag flying high. After 15 days of struggle, Duncan Edwards passed away. Man United had a match coming up in 13 days but there wasn't a team left to participate in it. A few survivors, a couple of new signings and some academy players accumulated to form a team that defeated Sheffield Wednesday 3-0. For the first time, nobody was happy even after a win.
The flowers of Manchester had been lost but the spirit with which they played wasn't lost. Miraculously, Matt Busby recovered from his injuries and came back to pick up the reins at Old Trafford. He built yet another great side with Munich survivors and new talent like Denis Law and George Best. This side won the European Cup in 1968, 10 years after the crash. Matt Busby was knighted following the cup win. We can only imagine what Man United could have achieved if the disaster hadn't occurred.
26th May 1999 would have been Sir Matt's 90th birthday if he was alive. Manchester United won the Treble on that day as if they were paying tribute to the man popularly known as Mr. Manchester United. 6th Feb 2008 was the 50th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster and the club commemorated it in a splendid way. Fans played their part as well. One minute silence was peacefully observed in the Manchester Derby the following weekend. Even the rival fans came together to mark the event as I sit here typing my own remembrance with a tear in my eye.
United's flag is deepest red
It shrouded all our Munich dead
Before their limbs grew stiff and cold
Their heart's blood dyed it's ev'ry fold
Then raise United's banner high
Beneath it's shade we'll live and die
So keep the faith and never fear
We'll keep the Red Flag flying here
We'll never die, we'll never die
We'll never die, we'll never die
We'll keep the Red flag flying high
'Cos Man United will never die
