On February 8, 1958, Manchester United qualified for the semi-finals of the European Cup by holding Red Star to a 3-3 draw in Belgrade (they had won the first leg 2-1).

At Munich airport, the players, trainer, coaches and the usual press contingent boarded the BEA airplane which was to take them back to London. At takeoff the plane failed to gain enough height, crashed into a house and caught fire. Of the 44 people on board, only 23 lived to tell the tale. Among the victims were 8 of the players, including Roger Byrne the captain, and Tommy Taylor, center-forward for the national side. The club secretary Walter Crickner, and the trainer and assistant coach Bert Whalley and Tom Curry also died, along with 8 journalists, including Frank Swift, one of the most famous goalkeepers in the history of English soccer, who had taken up sporting journalism after his retirement, 8 years previously. The international player, Duncan Edwards, considered to be one of the great hopes of English soccer, was to die on February 21, after fighting for his life for a fortnight. He was 21 years old and 3 years before had been one of the youngest England players of all time.

After Matt Busby took over the management of the club in 1945, Manchester United rapidly became one of the most popular teams in England. This success was due to a switch to offensive play and to a policy of signing up young players. Before the war, the Arsenal "Gunners" had enjoyed most of the support and affection of the British public, but by Munich Manchester United had clearly taken over as the favorites.

MANCHESTER UNITED The eight players who died: Roger Byrne, left-back (33 caps for England), Eddie Colman, half, Mark Jones, half, Geoff Bent, right- back, Duncan Edwards, half (18 English caps), Tommy Taylor, center-forward (18 English caps), David Pegg, left-wing, Bill Whelan, midfield (4 caps for Ireland) Injured, Johnny Berry (4 English caps) and Jacky Blanchflower (11 caps for Northern Ireland) who were never able to play soccer again.

Photo: The 1957 team