Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Bill Jubb, Stalybridge

On the way home from school, I was 15 years old, I read a newspaper "advert" outside the local shop.My recolection is that it read "United in air crash" but I knew this was a sales gimmick to persuade you to buy a paper. However when I arrived home my mother was crying and she told me the terrible news. She had never seen United play but she had known Bert Whalley (Chief coach)Μύ who presumably must have lived in Ashton-Under-Lyne. I used to see Mark Jones, Duncan Edwards, Dennis Viollet and Bobby Charlton at Old Trafford cricket ground . They used to watch the cricket after training when the seasons overlapped.

James Lodge, South Ayrshire

I was raised in a footballing family - extented family - and had the pleasure of seeing (and knowing) some of the top players of the 50's, 60's and 70's - and players from a bygone era.Μύ Carter, Revie, Mannion, Mortensen etc.Μύ Raich Carter asked me who was the greatest player I had ever seen - I was about 14 and he was sat in my home talking to old fiends.Μύ I said "Duncan Edwards" and he asked how often I had seen him.Μύ I said "3 times".Μύ His reply was "you have been so lucky to see someone who would probably have been the greatest footballer ever".ΜύΜύ I have never forgotten those words.Μύ And from a man who was himself such a wonderful footballer.

Trevor Dodson, Radcliffe

I was 14 and on the way home from school on the bus.Μύ We reached Pendleton Church,Salford, when I saw the headlines outside a newagents UNITED TEAM IN PLANE CRASH.Μύ Luckily the bus conductor hadnt collect my fare so I jumped off the bus ran over to the shop and bought a copy of the Manchester Evening News instead.Μύ Just a little piece in the stop press. I walked home in a trance and spent the rest of the day between watching TV news and going to local paper shop to get a later edition of the paper.Μύ The next days I was just interested in how Matt Busby and Duncan and the other players were.Μύ I coudnt believe it when Duncan died days later, no not him he was so strong. If anyone could survive it was him. The only consolation I have out of it was I was one of the lucky few to have seen them all play together more than once.
Lasting memories of the best team ever to grace this world.ΜύΜύ Even now it seems like just yesterday. Its just a pity TV football was not as widespread as it is now then everyone would have been able to see just how great this team was and they would soon realise that the greatness was true and wasnt being added to by poor memories.

Mick Jones, Dudley

As a young lad from Dudley who attended the same junior school as Duncan and played on the same football pitch (a few years later) I always had a soft spot for Man Utd even though being a Wolves diehard supporter. My family business had the honour of designing and erecting Duncan's gravestone in Dudley Cemetery and I will always remember the unveiling ceremony. Prior to going over to the cemetery, I had the privilege of sitting next to Matt Busby in my grandparents house and even in his obvious pain and suffering he had the kindness to ask a young boy of nine if he'd like to play for Manchester United when he was older - what a gentleman he must have been. Even today when I think back about the disaster and see clips about Duncan I can't help shedding a few tears. What a great loss we suffered that day.

Geoff Payne, USA

I'd been playing soccer in the back street with a tennis ball.... I was Tommy Taylor and my cousin was Duncan Edwards... we played every day after school until it was time for tea..... my Mum came out of the back yard and said she had heard something on the radio about an air crash with Manchester United. We sat around the radio and listened until it was time for bed....I can still feel the emotions, even now...

Keith West, U.K.

I had been to watch Nottingham Forest play United in October 1957. Forest had just been promoted and myself and three of my pals went to the City ground early to make sure we got in. I think David Pegg and Billy Whelan scored for United but the player who made a lasting impression on me was Duncan Edwards. Despite being an ardent Forest fan I remember bursting into tears when I heard the news. Even now, fifty years later it still brings a lump to my throat thinking about what happened.

Mike Watson, Chicago, USA

I was born and bred on Ayres Road Old Trafford. I have no memory of the 6th February, being nine months old at the time. What I do remember very clearly was the impact that day had on those around me and ultimately me and my family. One of my youngest memories was of the stack of newspapers all detailing the horrendous events of February 1958 stored lovingly and with huge respect in a box. I recall the endless stories of the great Duncan Edwards, the stories of youth and of course great sadness and pride. As a child I recall the long Saturday lunchtime walks up Ayres Road and Warwick Road with my Dad and Uncle as I was taught 'our' history on the way to the cathedral. I remember at St Al's school the special prayers from the Nun's every Friday for a United victory and the thanks in church from the priest on Sunday morning for a victory. Today it is a different world but I will still shed a tear on Wednesday.

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