The rain began to fall just as Reverend John Boyers stepped up to the microphone, and it didn’t stop until he had concluded the memorial service to mark the 68th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster 36 minutes later.
Hundreds of fans gathered under leaden skies at Old Trafford to hear Rev Boyers pay tribute to the 23 people who died as a result of the tragedy, including eight of the Busby Babes, on February 6, 1958 as Manchester United returned from a European Cup tie in Belgrade and made a third attempt to take off at Munich-Riem Airport after refuelling.
They stood in solemn silence as head coach Michael Carrick and women’s team boss Marc Skinner laid a wreath under the Munich clock, followed by captains Bruno Fernandes and Maya Le Tissier.
The clock is frozen in time at 3.04pm, and Rev Boyers led a minute’s silence as supporters, club executives and dignitaries including Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham remembered those who were lost in the tragedy.
Earlier in the day, representatives from the Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation gathered at the Manchesterplatz memorial in Germany, where they were joined by former United goalkeeper Alex Stepney, travelling fans and supporters’ club representatives from around the world. Wreaths were laid at the site of the crash, and there was a two-minute silence.
Addressing the service at Old Trafford, Rev Boyers said: ‘We all gather once more to recall and reflect. We will remember with solemnity those killed through the tragic accident on that slushy Munich runway on a cold, grey afternoon in 1958.
Man United head coach Michael Carrick and women’s team manager Marc Skinner laid a wreath at the service at Old Trafford on Friday
United captain Bruno Fernandes was among the attendees to pay their respects to the victims
Wayne Rooney’s son Klay, 12, also attended the service along with hundreds of fans
‘Yes, today is a solemn and serious remembrance of that tragic part of Manchester United’s history, but we also want to reflect on what followed: how the club rebuilt itself to achieve success within 10 years and how later the foundations were built to bring remarkable years of achievement to this club.
‘We will recall how despair turned to hope, and hope to achievement, and achievement to continuing development. Out of the darkness came light and out of sorrow came joy. They say the darkest hour is just before dawn. Remember that and be encouraged.’
Brian Kidd, like Stepney a member of the United team that won the European Cup a decade later, was there to hear Sammy McIlroy – the last of the players signed by Sir Matt Busby – recount how tragedy and triumph had shaped the club he joined as a teenager from Belfast.
‘On my first day as an apprentice at 15 years of age, Sir Matt brought Sir Bobby (Charlton) down and introduced him to all of us which was fantastic,’ said McIlroy.
‘The first day in training, all the apprentices joined in with the European Cup winning side and all the young professionals, and trained together. I was running alongside Bestie, Brian Kidd and Bobby, three players who scored in the European Cup final. For me, it was a dream come true and days I will never forget.’
Families of the Busby Babes will be at Saturday’s game against Tottenham at Old Trafford when another 30-minute memorial service will be held for ticket holders at 10.30am under the Munich clock. The team will lay a wreath and a ‘We’ll Never Die’ surfer banner will be displayed in the Stretford End before kick-off.
