Today marks the darkest day in Manchester United history when 23 people, including eight players and three members of the club’s staff past away in the Munich air disaster.

The Munich air disaster occurred on February 6, 1958, when British European Airways flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off from the runway at Munich-Riem Airport.

Passengers on the plane included then United team, nicknamed the ‘Busby Babes’, along with supporters and journalists. Twenty of the 44 on the aircraft died at the scene, while three more died at the Rechts der Isar Hospital, with only 21 surviving the crash.

Flying back from a European Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade, the team plane stopped in Germany to refuel. The first two attempts to take off from Munich airport were aborted; following a third attempt, the plane crashed.

The tragedy is an indelible part of United’s history, as is Sir Matt Busby overcoming his injuries to build another great team which won the European Cup 10 years later.

Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor, Geoff Bent, Liam Whelan and Duncan Edwards all died, along with club secretary Walter Crickmer, trainer Tom Curry and coach Bert Whalley.

Eight journalists died including Alf Clarke, Tom Jackson, Don Davies, George Fellows, Archie Ledbrook, Eric Thompson, Henry Rose, and former Manchester City player Frank Swift. Plane captain Ken Rayment, as well as Sir Matt’s friend Willie Satinoff, Travel agent Bela Miklos and crew member Tom Cable also died.

Image: Manchester United website