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Manchester United today marked the 56th anniversary of the Munich air disaster which has come to define them as a football club.
Eight players and three members of the Old Trafford staff were among the 23 killed in the tragedy, yet United still miraculously managed to reach the FA Cup final three months later.
The first English club to compete in the European Champions' Cup - now the Champions League - United were returning from a 5-3 quarter-final aggregate victory over Red Star Belgrade when they landed to refuel in Munich.
United players prepare to board their plane at Ringway airport
Take-off was abandoned twice in snowy conditions but, fearing they would fall too far behind schedule, Captain James Thain fatefully rejected an overnight stay in favour of a third take-off attempt. The aircraft hit the layer of slush and ploughed through a fence beyond the end of the runway.
Tommy Taylor, Eddie Colman, David Pegg, Geoff Bent, Mark Jones, Billy Whelan, Rogery Byrne and Duncan Edwards were the eight United players who died in Munich. Frank Swift, the former Manchester City goalkeeper who had covered the game for the News of the World, also perished. Six other journalists died.
Of the nine United players who survived, Sir Bobby Charlton and Harry Gregg are the only two still alive today. Bill Foulkes died in November last year and Kenny Morgans passed away in 2012.
Munich Air Disaster
Aviation Disasters. Sport. pic: 6th February 1958. Rescue workers pictured in a snowstorm at the wreckage of the B.E.A. Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU "Lord Burghley" after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers.(01 of32)
Aviation Disasters, Sport, pic: 6th February 1958, Rescue workers pictured in a snowstorm at the wreckage of the B,E,A, Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU 'Lord Burghley' after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Aviation Disasters. Sport. pic: 6th February 1958. Rescue workers pictured in a snowstorm at the wreckage of the B.E.A. Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU "Lord Burghley" after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers.(02 of32)
Aviation Disasters, Sport, pic: 6th February 1958, Rescue workers pictured in a snowstorm at the wreckage of the B,E,A, Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU 'Lord Burghley' after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Aviation Disasters. Sport. pic: 6th February 1958. Rescue workers pictured in a snowstorm at the wreckage of the B.E.A. Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU "Lord Burghley" after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers.(03 of32)
Aviation Disasters, Sport, pic: 6th February 1958, Rescue workers pictured in a snowstorm at the wreckage of the B,E,A, Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU 'Lord Burghley' after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Aviation Disasters. Sport. pic: 6th February 1958. Rescue workers pictured in a snowstorm at the wreckage of the B.E.A. Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU "Lord Burghley" after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers.(04 of32)
Aviation Disasters, Sport, pic: 6th February 1958, Rescue workers pictured in a snowstorm at the wreckage of the B,E,A, Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU 'Lord Burghley' after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Aviation Disasters. Sport. pic: 6th February 1958. The snow covered fuselage, part of the wreckage of the B.E.A. Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU "Lord Burghley" after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers.(05 of32)
Aviation Disasters, Sport, pic: 6th February 1958, The snow covered fuselage, part of the wreckage of the B,E,A, Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU 'Lord Burghley' after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Aviation Disasters. Sport. pic: 6th February 1958. The wreckage of the B.E.A. Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU "Lord Burghley" after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers.(06 of32)
Aviation Disasters, Sport, pic: 6th February 1958, The wreckage of the B,E,A, Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU 'Lord Burghley' after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Aviation Disasters. Sport. pic: 6th February 1958. The snow covered fuselage, part of the wreckage of the B.E.A. Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU "Lord Burghley" after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers.(07 of32)
Aviation Disasters, Sport, pic: 6th February 1958, The snow covered fuselage, part of the wreckage of the B,E,A, Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU 'Lord Burghley' after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Aviation Disasters. Sport. pic: 6th February 1958. Part of the wreckage of the B.E.A. Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU "Lord Burghley" after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers.(08 of32)
Aviation Disasters, Sport, pic: 6th February 1958, Part of the wreckage of the B,E,A, Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU 'Lord Burghley' after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Aviation Disasters. Sport. pic: February 1958. The interior of the B.E.A. Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU "Lord Burghley" after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers.(09 of32)
Aviation Disasters, Sport, pic: February 1958, The interior of the B,E,A, Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU 'Lord Burghley' after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - 50th Anniversary Of The Munich Air Disaster(10 of32)
File photo dated 06/02/1958 The wreckage of the British European Airways plane which crashed in Munich on February 6, 1958, while bringing home members of the Manchester United football team from a European Cup match. (credit:PA)
Soccer - 50th Anniversary Of The Munich Air Disaster(11 of32)
File photo dated 06/02/1958. The Munich aircrash where Manchester United team were on a European Cup visit to Belgrade. (credit:PA)
Aviation Disasters. Sport. pic: circa 15th February 1958. The wreckage of the B.E.A. Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU "Lord Burghley" after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers, about to be removed.(12 of32)
Aviation Disasters, Sport, pic: circa 15th February 1958, The wreckage of the B,E,A, Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU 'Lord Burghley' after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers, about to be removed (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Aviation Disasters. Sport. pic: circa 15th February 1958. The wreckage of the B.E.A. Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU "Lord Burghley" after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers, about to be removed with the help of(13 of32)
Aviation Disasters, Sport, pic: circa 15th February 1958, The wreckage of the B,E,A, Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU 'Lord Burghley' after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers, about to be removed with the help of a crane (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Aviation Disasters. Sport. pic: circa 15th February 1958. The wreckage of the B.E.A. Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU "Lord Burghley" after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers, about to be removed with the help of(14 of32)
Aviation Disasters, Sport, pic: circa 15th February 1958, The wreckage of the B,E,A, Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU 'Lord Burghley' after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers, about to be removed with the help of a crane (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Aviation Disasters. Sport. pic: circa 15th February 1958. The wreckage of the B.E.A. Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU "Lord Burghley" after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers, about to be removed with the help of(15 of32)
Aviation Disasters, Sport, pic: circa 15th February 1958, The wreckage of the B,E,A, Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU 'Lord Burghley' after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers, about to be removed with the help of a crane (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Aviation Disasters. Sport. pic: circa 15th February 1958. The wreckage of the B.E.A. Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU "Lord Burghley" after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers, about to be removed with the help of(16 of32)
Aviation Disasters, Sport, pic: circa 15th February 1958, The wreckage of the B,E,A, Elizabethan airliner G-ALZU 'Lord Burghley' after the crash at Munich in which 23 people died, 8 being Manchester United footballers, about to be removed with the help of a crane (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - European Cup - Quarter Final Second Leg- Red Star Belgrade v Manchester United(17 of32)
The wreckage of the "Elizabethan" class Airspeed Ambassador (registration G-ALZU) charter flight which was carrying the Manchester United team back from Belgrade. After a refuelling stoppage at Munich, the plane crashed as it tried to take off on the snowy runway, killing 23 people, including eight players, one of whom was Duncan Edwards whom many believe was among the greatest football players of all time. He died of injuries 15 days after the crash. (credit:PA)
Soccer - 50th Anniversary Of The Munich Air Disaster(18 of32)
File photo dated 06/02/1958 of Members of the Manchester United football team board the BEA Elizabethan, before a European Cup match in Belgrade. Several team members died when the plane crashed on take-off from Munich airport, on the return journey. (credit:PA)
Sport, Football, pic: February 1958, European Cup Quarter Final 2nd Leg, Red Star Belgrade 3 v Manchester United 3, Manchester United's Bobby Charlton scores their 3rd goal, On the return air flight home many of Manchester United's team and officials were(19 of32)
Sport, Football, pic: February 1958, European Cup Quarter Final 2nd Leg, Red Star Belgrade 3 v Manchester United 3, Manchester United's Bobby Charlton scores their 3rd goal, On the return air flight home many of Manchester United's team and officials were tragically killed in the Munich air crash (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sport. Football. Belgrade, Yugoslavia. 5th February 1958. European Cup Quarter Final. Second Leg. Red Star Belgrade 3 v Manchester United 3 (Manchester United won the tie 5-4 on aggregate). Manchester United's Bill Foulkes (right) challenges a Red Star pl(20 of32)
Sport, Football, Belgrade, Yugoslavia, 5th February 1958, European Cup Quarter Final, Second Leg, Red Star Belgrade 3 v Manchester United 3 (Manchester United won the tie 5-4 on aggregate), Manchester United's Bill Foulkes (right) challenges a Red Star player for the ball with United's Mark Jones racing in, United having led 3-0 were pulled back to a 3-3 draw, This was the last game Manchester United played before the tragedy of the Munich air disaster, returning from this game when disaster struck on 6th February 1958 (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Football, 5th February 1958, Belgrade, Yugoslavia, European Cup, Quarter-Final, Second Leg, Red Star Belgrade 3 v Manchester United 3 (United won 5-4 on aggregate), Red Star goalkeeper Beara leaps to punch clear from a Manchester United attack during the (21 of32)
Football, 5th February 1958, Belgrade, Yugoslavia, European Cup, Quarter-Final, Second Leg, Red Star Belgrade 3 v Manchester United 3 (United won 5-4 on aggregate), Red Star goalkeeper Beara leaps to punch clear from a Manchester United attack during the match at the Jugoslav army stadium, The match was to be the final game that the 'Busby Babes' would play, as the plane on which they were travelling back to England crashed at Munich Airport (Photo by Popperfoto/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - 50th Anniversary Of The Munich Air Disaster(22 of32)
File photo dated 06/02/1958 of Manchester United player Eddie Colman, one of the players who died after a plane crashed at Munich airport when flying them home from European Cup match. (credit:PA)
Soccer - 50th Anniversary Of The Munich Air Disaster(23 of32)
File photo dated 06/02/1958 Mr Walter Crickmer, Secretary of Manchester United FC, who was in the Manchester United party which went to Belgrade for the European Cup match that ended in tragedy when their BEA Elizabeth airliner crashed at Munich on the return journey to England. (credit:PA)
Soccer - 50th Anniversary Of The Munich Air Disaster(24 of32)
File photo dated 06/02/1958 of Manchester United player Geoff Bent, who died after a plane crashed at Munich airport when flying them home following a European Cup match. (credit:PA)
Soccer - 50th Anniversary Of The Munich Air Disaster(25 of32)
File photo dated 06/02/1958 of Manchester United player Duncan Edwards, who died after a plane crashed at Munich airport when flying them home following a European Cup match. (credit:PA)
Soccer - 50th Anniversary Of The Munich Air Disaster(26 of32)
File photo dated 29/08/1956 of Manchester United player Tommy Taylor, who died after a plane crashed at Munich airport when flying them home following a European Cup match. (credit:PA)
Soccer - Munich Air Disaster - Ken Morgans - Manchester United(27 of32)
Manchester United Outside right Ken Morgans pictured with his fiancee Stephanie Lloyd driving away from Liverpool Street Station after returning from Munich. Ken Morgans was the youngest survivor of the Munich air disaster on the 6th of February 1958. (credit:PA)
Soccer - Munich Air Disaster - Gladstone Edwards and Len Morgans(28 of32)
Gladstone Edwards (left) and Len Morgans, the fathers of two Manchester United players injured in the Munich air crash. They are preparing to travel to Germany to visit their sons (Duncan Edwards and Ken Morgans) in hospital. Duncan Edwards died as a result of his injuries on the 21 February 1958. Ken Morgans was the youngest survivor. (credit:PA)
Soccer - 50th Anniversary Of The Munich Air Disaster(29 of32)
File photo dated 12/02/1958 of Mourners standing in silence as the coffin of Manchester United captain Roger Byrne is taken on its last journey to the crematorium. Byrne died after a plane crashed at Munich airport when flying the team home following a European Cup match. (credit:PA)
Soccer - 50th Anniversary Of The Munich Air Disaster(30 of32)
File photo dated 17/01/2008 The Munich clock reads 3.04pm, the time that the plane crashed on Feb. 6th 1958. February 6th marks the 50th Anniversary of the Munich air disaster. (credit:PA)
Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Manchester United v Portsmouth - Old Trafford(31 of32)
Manchester United fans display a Lest We Forget banner in the stands in Memeory of those who lost their lives in the Munich Air Disaster (credit:PA)
Soccer - 50th Anniversary of Munich Air Disaster(32 of32)
Manchester United fans gather outside Old Trafford, Manchester, for a memorial service remembering the Munich air crash, on the 50th anniversary of the disaster in which 8 Manchester United players died. (credit:PA)