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munich58.co.ukIn memory of those who died in the munich air crash in February 1958 |
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munich58.co.ukIn memory of those who died in the munich air crash in February 1958 |
United's closest home match to the anniversary was on 10 February against Manchester City, who provided considerable support and assistance in the immediate aftermath of the crash and whose former goalkeeper, Frank Swift, a journalist on the ill-fated flight, died in the wreckage. The Premier League agreed to set aside its usual rules on kit design to allow the United team to wear a special 1950s-style kit in the match, free from sponsorship and numbered 1 to 11. The kit was a one-off and will not be available for purchase.
The United players also ditched their fancy boots as a tribute to the Munich air disaster victims. Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand all asked their sponsors for black boots to mark the 50th anniversary of the tragedy. A United source said: "It was the players idea. They are aware of the significance of this game."
City's shirt sponsors and manufacturer agreed that their branding should be removed from the kit worn in the match. Producing a unique kit that will incorporate a black ribbon of remembrance was just one of several initiatives that City have adopted after lengthy discussions with their own fans and several meetings with United counterparts to develop ideas. Every one of the 3,000 City fans who receives a ticket for the match on February 10 was also given a letter from boss Sven-Goran Eriksson and skipper Richard Dunne, plus a picture of Frank Swift, the legendary Blues keeper who died in the plane crash at Munich.
The letter read: "Prior to this game, the 50th Anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster will be marked with a special commemoration. Many supporters will already be aware that Manchester City lost one of our own in the tragedy, goalkeeper Frank Swift. Twenty-two players, staff and journalists also lost their lives. We ask that all supporters uphold the good name of Manchester City and respectfully support the commemorations which will also be attended by friends and family of the victims including Frank Swift's family. This initiative is backed by the Official Supporters Club and Centenary Supporters Association. Thank you for your support."
United gave City permission to decorate the away end concourses at Old Trafford with Swift memorabilia. Unlike United, City kept their squad numbers and names on the shirts for the game.
All fans present at the game received a memento of the occasion, in the form of a scarf - red for United fans and blue for City fans.
The teams were led out by a lone bagpiper, playing "We'll never die..we'll keep the red flag flying high". In addition to the players and managers, 23 mascots came out - each dressed in a United kit, each bearing the name of one of the 23 victims on their back. Despite weeks of media speculation that City fans would not respect the minutes silence, we are pleased to report that the silence was observed impeccably by all fans inside the stadium. The only blot on the landscape was a number of loud bangs which came from outside the stadium. Some reports said this was a pre-arranged "gun-salute of honour", but the consensus of opinion is that it was actually fireworks, let off by non-United fans (allegedly).
In February 2000, United fan Gez Mason commemorated the anniversary of the crash by singing The Flowers of Manchester under the memorial at the match closest to the anniversary of the crash. This tradition has continued every year since, but is now led by another United fan, Pete Martin. Several hundred fans congregated under the Memorial Plaque at 12:30 to sing The Flowers of Manchester and Pete's specially-written song Fifty Years. Some fans also left floral and other tributes
