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 "THE BLACKEST DAY OF ALL" - 6 February 1958
"THIS was the blackest day in British sport. At four o'clock yesterday afternoon when the news came stuttering onto this office over the teleprinters, the first reaction was one of numbed disbelief. On board was old friend and colleague Archie Ledbrooke, the man who lived for Soccer. There was Henry Rose, too, Daily Express sports writer, Eric Thompson (Daily Mail) and George Follows (Daily Herald). Then there was that fabulous figure, big Frank Swifty—Swifty." Peter Wilson, Daily Mirror
 
3.04pm Thursday, 6 February 1958
"AN Elizabethan airliner" 'Lord Burghley', an Airspeed AS-57 Ambassador British European Airways Flight 609 "at 200 m.p.h. it crashed in flames on its third attempt at take off in a snowstorm" at Flughafeb München-Riem, West Germany. "Twenty-one men—among them some of the brightest stars in British football—were feared to have died in the crash. Seven of them were members of the champion Manchester United football team. Twenty-three of the forty-four people aboard the plane survived, including Matt Busby, two air hostesses and a baby. Names of the missing include Archie Ledbrooke."
"Press photographer, Peter Howard, 30, of the Daily Mail, one of the survivors gave a graphic description....It was snowing when we landed in Munich. We went off for refreshments and then back to the aircraft to continue the flight. I was sitting in the front row of seats on the starboard side. When the pilot tried to take off there seemed to be some kind of slight fault with the engines. He stopped. Then he tried a second take off. Them did not seem satisfactory, so he taxied back to the apron to get things checked up.
"IT WAS ON THE THIRD TAKE-OFF THAT WE CRASHED.
"I think we were about the end of the runway only a bit above the ground. The plane suddenly appeared to be breaking up. Seats started to crumble. Everything seemed to be falling to pieces. It was a rolling sensation and all sorts of stuff started coming down on top of us.
"THERE WASN'T TIME TO THINK. NO ONE CRIED OUT. NO ONE SPOKE JUST A DEADLY SILENCE FOR WHAT COULD ONLY HAVE BEEN SECONDS.
"I can't remember whether there was a bang or not. Everything stopped all at once. I was so dazed I just scrambled about. Then I found a hole in the wreckage and crawled out on hands and knees. Harry Gregg, Ted Ellyard, the two stewardesses, the radio officer and myself went back into the wreckage. I saw Captain Thain start putting out small fires with an extinguisher. It looked as though those who had been sitting in front of the plane were the lucky ones. The luckiest of all were those in backward facing seats. Part of the engines of the airliner had gone forward for 150 yards and hit a small house, which burst into flames, but the fuselage did not catch fire."

"The chartered twin-engined Elizabethan airliner, after refuelling at Munich airport, crashed into a shed stacked with petrol and oil. The plane itself did not explode. But the shed and its contents became a raging inferno. Rescue workers said that many of the victims died still strapped in their seats. 'As the fire spread, the safety straps became bonds of death.' Burning debris was scattered for about 300 yards around, setting several houses on fire....Parts of it hit a house in which there was a woman and her four children.  All escaped unhurt when the house caught fire and burned fiercely. Dead and injured passengers were left in the trail of the wreckage. Fourteen people were left in the main body of the plane. Harry Gregg worked like a giant, along with newspapermen and crew members, to lift wreckage, which was trapping the leg of Ray Wood. Beside Wood, lay Albert Scanlon who had a severe gash over his forehead and could not be moved until Wood was freed. Despite the danger of fire Gregg led us into the body of the aircraft to look for other survivors. We found only one man left inside, this was Ken Morgans who was almost buried in the wreckage and luggage. The two stewardesses worked frantically with us to get Morgans free. These girls and other members of the crew showed exemplary calm and courage. The pilot was trapped in his legs at the controls. The airport staff had to cut and hack wreckage to get him free. He is now in hospital with all the others."
 
THEY FLEW IN DISASTER PLANE
THE two who are known to have died in the crash are: Frank Swift, the famous footballer and sports writer, and the aircraft's steward, W. T. Cable, of Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire. Frank Swift died in hospital.
THOSE FEARED DEAD include: The UNITED secretary, Walter Crickmer, coach Bert Whalley; captain and left back Roger Byrne; centre forward Tommy Taylor; centre half Mark Jones; right half Eddie Colman; inside right Billy Whelan; outside left David Pegg; left back Geoff Bent; T. Curry, trainer, and W. Satinoff, a director . . .
Also feared dead are sports writers: Archie Ledbrook, Daily Mirror; George Follows, Daily Herald; Henry Rose, Daily Express; Alec Thompson, Daily Mail; Frank Taylor, News Chronicle; H.D. Davies, Manchester Guardian, and Alf Clarke, Manchester Evening Chronicle.
Unaccounted for is Mr. S. P. Miklos, the travel agent who arranged the chartered trip. His wife is in hospital.
Here is a list of the known SURVIVORS: Manchester United: Matt Busby, manager; Harry Gregg, goalkeeper; Ray Wood, goalkeeper; Billy Foulkes, right back; Jackie Blanchflower, centre-half; Dennis Viollet, inside-left; John Berry, outside-right; Ken Morgans, outside-right; Bobby Charlton, inside-right; Bert Scanlon, outside-left; Duncan Edwards, left-half; Pressmen: Peter Howard and Edward Ellyard, of the Daily Mail. Other passengers: Bejsja Tomaschewitz, Yugoslav consular department; Andrew Macdonald, Mrs. Eleanor Miklos, Mrs. Lukic, wife of the Yugoslav military attached in London, and her baby. Crew: James Thain, captain; Kenneth Raymond, first officer, of Billingshurst, Sussex; George Rodgers, senior radio officer, of Harlington, Middlesex, and two stewardesses — Margaret Bellis, who comes from Darlington, and Rosemary Cheverton, of Shepherd's Bush, London."

"Back into Manchester only half an hour before the news broke went United's assistant manager, 46 year-old Jimmy Murphy. He had arrived from Cardiff, where the job of managing the Welsh team against Israel kept him out of United's party for the first time. "I would have been on this trip had Wales not called on me to manage their World Cup side." He took over the arrangements for informing wives and relatives of the party. The club's telephone system was jammed with incoming calls. Mr. Murphy and assistant secretary, Mr. Les Olive often had to wait several minutes to get an out-going call. As the buzzers of nearby factories hooted at 5 and 5.30p.m. dozens of men, women and boys ran to the locked office doors asking for confirmation of the rumours they had heard at work. By six o'clock a crowd of 60 had gathered. There were tears in the eyes of some when they were told that first reports had put the death toll as high as 30."
  
Friday, 7 February 1958
"THE 21 dead were officially named early today as:
PLAYERS; Roger Byrne, Mark Jones, Billy Whelan, Eddie Colman, Tommy Taylor, Geoff Bent, David Pegg, Walter Crickmer, Bert Whalley, Tom Currie. JOURNALISTS: Frank Swift, Tom Jackson, Archie Ledbrooke, H.D. Davies, Eric Thompson, Henry Rose, George Follows, Alf Clarke. OTHERS: W.T. Cable, B.P. Miklos, W. Satinoff.
THEY SURVIVED:
PLAYERS:
Harry Gregg, Ray Wood bruises and flesh wounds, William Foulkes, Jackie Blanchflower is reported to have complicated fractures of the arm, shock, broken ribs, fractured pelvis and internal injuries, Dennis Viollet shock and head injuries John Berry shock, concussion and eye injury, Ken Morgans concussion and suspected fractures, Bobby Charlton slight head injuries, leaving hospital, Bert Scanlon shock and head injuries, Duncan Edwards shock, broken ribs and fractured right leg and Matt Busby. JOURNALISTS: Peter Howard, Edward Ellyard, Frank Taylor. OTHERS: Mrs Nebojsha Tomasevic, Eleanor
Miklos, Mmme Vera Lukic and her baby. CREW: James Thain, K.G. Rayment, G.W Rodgers, Rosemary Cheverton, Margaret Bellis.

"Four surgical teams have performed 20 operations on the injured."
Allowed to leave the Rechts der Isar Hospital in Munich were Bill Foulkes, Harry Gregg, Peter Howard, Ted Ellyard, Captain James Thain, Margaret Bellis and Rosemary Cheverton.
The board of directors of Wolverhampton Wanderers ordered their club flag to be flown at half mast in memory of the victims of the crash.


"WIVES and families of the Manchester United men injured in the air disaster at Munich, flew in here tonight after battling through raging snowstorms to get to the bedsides of their menfolk. As they arrived doctors were still fighting for the lives of several of the injured. Among those critically ill and not yet out of dangers is manager Matt Busby. Earlier in the day Matt, a Roman Catholic, had been given the last rites by a priest. And he did not know last night that his wife Jean had arrived in Munich. He lay in bed beneath a transparent oxygen tent, breathing heavily under the influence of drugs, as she tip-toed into his ward.....Later Mrs. Busby went in to see the injured 'Babes' who lay in other wards. The most seriously injured of all is Johnny Berry. His wife, Hilda, fair haired and pretty, went in to see him. John was too ill to recognise her and she had to be helped from the ward. In the same ward were Jackie Blanchflower and Duncan Edwards, also seriously ill. Jackie's wife, Jean, and Duncan's fiancee, Miss Molly Leech, 22, went into the ward. But again, the two men did not know that the two women were standing there. Among the others who flew in were Mrs. Jean Scanlon, wife of Bert, who was badly injured but said to be 'improving,' and Mrs. Barbara Viollet, wife of Denis, who was reported 'very ill.' With them was Mrs. Betty Wood, wife of Ray, who was said to be 'ill.' The relatives arrived in three planes. As they came in to land they flew over the wreckage. Earlier in the day Munich airport was closed down because of snowstorms. It re-opened in time for the three planes to land, but another plane from England had to divert to Frankfurt."
 
"I want all United supporters to know that everything possible is being done for the lads, This is one of the greatest hospitals I have ever been in. I have heard it was the greatest in Europe. It is certainly true."
- Jimmy Murphy

"THE commander of the airliner today revealed that the port engine was not running normally just before the take-off crash. It was giving full power but it had a varying note. 'There was a surge of power,' explained 37-year-old Captain James Thain. Twice he taxied out to take off. Twice he turned back because of the engine. But after B.E.A.'s British station engineer at Munich airport had reported it to be completely satisfactory Thain gave the order for the third and fatal take-off attempt. His description of the last few seconds on take-off appear to confirm that it was a failure of one of the two engines that was responsible for the crash. Mr. Anthony Milward, B.E.A.'s chief executive, repeated today that there was no question of sabotage. Thain was not at the controls when the plane crashed. The take-off was made by Captain Kenneth Rayment. He volunteered to deputise for the airliner's regular co-pilot, who was on leave."
"Professor George Maurer, of Munich's Isar Hospital, said of Duncan Edwards, whose injuries include compound fractures of the right leg: 'In such cases it may be years before the patient regains full use of his legs.'"
"Manchester United were due to play Wolves at Manchester tomorrow. But last night the Football League secretary, Alan Hardaker, said the game had been postponed. The rest of the League programme would be played, he said, but details of mourning arrangements, including a two-minute silence before each kick-off, with flags at half-mast and the players wearing black arm-bands, would be sent to all clubs.
"Joe Richards, League president, said the next full meeting of the Management Committee, on Sunday week, would re-consider the question of a ban on clubs flying to and from matches."
   
     
Saturday, 8 February 1958
"THESE were the conditions of the 13 injured:
Matt Busby shock, fractured right foot, chest injuries. Critical
John Berry shock, cut head, broken cheekbone. Critical, but a little better
Duncan Edwards shock, broken ribs, compound fracture of the right leg. Critical
Dennis Viollet concussion and cut head. Condition good
Ray Wood bruises and flesh wounds. Condition good
Ken Morgans concussion and shock. Condition good
Bobbie Charlton wounds and shock. Condition good
Bert Scanlon shock, fractured skull, head wounds. Satisfactory
Jackie Blanchflower right arm broken, stomach injuries, shock. A little worse
Frank Taylor compound fracture of the right lower leg, compound fracture of the left upper arm, bruises, broken rib on right side. Critical
Kenneth Rayment broken legs, suspected internal injuries, lacerated left leg, concussion. Critical
Eleanor Miklos cuts on legs and arms, chest bruises. A little better
Nebojsha Tomasevic
wounds to legs and face. Condition good

"IN MANCHESTER, United's chairman, Mr. Harold Hardman, said: 'Even if it means being heavily defeated, we will carry on with the season's programme. We have a duty to the public and a duty to football to carry out.'
The Lord Mayor of Manchester opened a memorial fund. First two donations were of £1000.
IN THE COMMONS the Transport Minister, Mr. Harold Watkinson, said: 'Responsibility for investigating this accident rests with the German Federal Government. I have appointed a senior inspector who has already left for Munich to take part in the investigation.'
IN LONDON a B.E.A. spokesman said they will pay compensation to members of the families of all persons killed and injured subject to proof of loss. An international convention limited the amount which could be claimed for any one passenger to a maximum of £3,000. B.E.A. will fly survivors home as soon as they were fit to travel.
MILAN, one of Italy's leading first division football clubs, will travel by train to Dortmund, Germany, next week for a European Cup match—instead of by air as originally planned."


"B.E.A. chief William Baillie, the 42-year-old flight manager told me: 'It could have been due to stress and strain. If necessary we will search for and test every nut, bolt, strut and spar in the wreckage. If an early solution is not evident, we may consider withdrawing our fleet of 12 Elizabethan aircraft until the riddle is solved.' I questioned Mr. Baillie about the surging of the aircraft in its thee take-off attempts. He told me: 'Munich airport is 1700 ft. above sea level. In aircraft, this bucking often appears at that altitude. It is noticeable in Dakotas, for instance. All that is required is for the pilot to ease off the throttle slowly on take-off. I am certain that the pilot was satisfied with the performance of his engines before the third attempted take-off. Otherwise he would never have attempted it.'
 
"A BITTER Personal attack on the Football League for deciding to allow today's League programme to carry on, 48 hours after the Manchester United tragedy, was made by Raich Carter, of Leeds, and Bert Tann, of Bristol Rovers. They were not alone. Other Soccer managers and officials came out strongly in favour of postponing todays matches; many players said they did not feel like playing. 'No games should have been played until they were all laid to rest'"
  
Sunday, 9 February 1958
"AFTER a tragic night of waiting Mrs. Jean Busby leaned into her husband's oxygen tent and grasped his hand. His eyes opened slowly. He managed a smile. Then he whispered 'Hello, my dear. Don't worry. I'm going to be all right...'
'He recognised me. He recognised me. I'm sure it will help him now he knows I'm near.'
"Matt spoke also to his assistant manager, Jimmy Murphy, He whispered four words which put new spirit into the remnants of the tragic Busby Babes.
"Keep 'em going, Lad."
"Within moments the news was around the wards where lay eight of the star players he built into Britain's finest team."
  
Monday, 10 February 1958
"THE faces of the womenfolk of the injured footballers told a touching as they left hospital. Some like Mrs. Matt Busby and Duncan Edwards' sweetheart, Molly Leech, were smiling for the first time since they arrived. Others, like Mrs. Hilda Berry, left with tragic worried eyes. Matt Busby has not been told yet that seven of his players and four officials died in the crash. John Berry has not recovered consciousness since the crash. Nor has Captain Rayment. Both were operated on today."
"Matt was delighted to see us and I really believe our presence is giving him new strength in his fight for life. He still can't talk much, but his first question were about the others in hospital with him. The news that most were doing well cheered and helped him." - Mrs. Jean Busby
"Duncan is coming along fine, I'm sure he will pull through. Just you watch. Any time at all now he'll be down on the second floor—and that will be the day". - Molly Leech

 
HOW THEY ARE
THE condition of the crash survivors announced last night was: Matt Busby, Duncan Edwards and Frank Taylor, improved but still seriously ill; John Berry and Captain Kenneth Rayment, still dangerously ill; Bert Scanlon, Dennis Viollet, Jackie Blanchflower, Ray Wood, Bobbie Charlton and Ken Morgans, out of danger; Mrs. Lena Miklos and Nebojsha Tomasevic, improved but still ill.
   
HOME TODAY
THE bodies of the nine players and officials are to line in the gymnasium at Old Trafford until funeral arrangements have been made. The bodies of some of the crash victims will arrive at London airport today.
"There will be no mass funeral and I don't think members of the public will be allowed into the gym to pay their respects."
 
"An official German report on the air disaster issued today said it was probably caused by ice forming on the wings. A B.E.A. spokesman said the inquiry was not yet complete. But did agree that icing during take-off was one of the possible causes of the accident."

"MEANTIME assistant manager Jimmy Murphy was returning home with survivors Billy Foulkes and Harry Gregg to help him in the long climb back to the top. They leave Munich by train."
 

MUNICH paid its last tributes to the victims of the Manchester
SALUTE

United air crash. Blue-coated German police formed a guard of honour on the tarmac of the Riem Airport here in front of an airliner with curtailed windows. Inside the plane lay the coffins of the twenty-one footballers, sportswriters and others who died in the crash. For half an hour before the plane took off for London on its way to Manchester a procession of government, civic officials and friends walked one after the other to the foot of the black shrouded gangway to hand in wreaths. As the plane taxied away the 160 men in the guard of honour raised their white-gloved hands to their salute. The civilians present stood to attention. Then they watched the aircraft roar away . . .  passing low over the forlorn wreckage of the crashed airliner on the outskirts of the airport.
AT LONDON airport it was raining when the Viscount airliner arrived. Four of the coffins were taken off—travel agent Bela Miklos's body going to his home at Woking, Surrey; steward William Cable's to Wales, and international winger David Pegg's to Doncaster. The fourth coffin, of inside forward Billy Whelan, was transferred to a plane for Dublin, where he will be buried.
 
AT MANCHESTER solemn crowds waited in the streets.
   
SCENES IN A HOSPITAL — CAMERAMEN AT MUNICH
TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES
   "Sir,—I have recently followed with academic interest the correspondence which has been appearing in your columns on the behaviour of the Press in action.
It fell to my lot to go immediately to the scene of the recent Munich disaster and, on the morning following, to the hospital where the survivors lay. The German doctors and nurses were working with devotion in their beautiful, modern hospital to care for our critically injured countrymen—how great a contrast with a horde of British cameramen who were gathered in the corridors waiting for a chance to photograph the victims in the ward.
When I ventured to protest to the doctor at this  intrusion  of some  20  cameramen
into his hospital he politely indicated that they were my countrymen, Indeed, in an attempt to get them to leave as expeditiously as possible he finally allowed them one photograph each of Mr. Busby, who was, it seems, their main target.
I hope that I may be spared from seeing again the flash of camera bulbs from six or more photographers at a time as they walked into the ward in which three men were fighting for their lives, in order to photograph an unconscious man lying in a critical condition in an oxygen tent. I do not feel that it was an edifying spectacle to the German medical staff, who were thus impeded in their duties.
I apologise for reopening in your columns correspondence  on  a  distasteful subject,
but I believe, Sir, that the time has come for the Press Council to take action to stop this scandal of our times. The vast majority of correspondents with whom we, as an air line, are continually  working in our daily lives are decent, helpful men doing their job in a decent and responsible way. It is they who are let down continually by the unethical behaviour of a few of their colleagues.

               Yours failthfully.

   ANTHONY H. MILWARD, Chief Executive, British European Airways.
Keyline House, Ruislip, Middlesex,
                 Feb 10.
     
Tuesday, 11 February 1958
THE INJURED
Team manager Matt Busby and sportswriter Frank Taylor were stated to be 'much improved.' The condition of John Berry and Kenneth Rayment, both critically ill, was unchanged. Duncan Edwards, who is also on the danger list, was stated to have shown 'a glimmer of improvement.' The rest of the injured were 'satisfactory'.
 
A bulletin issued early today gave news of the 13 survivors still in hospital: Berry, Edwards and Rayment—still on the critical list, unconscious and in acute danger. Mrs. Miklos—out of acute danger, but still serious. Busby, Blanchflower and Taylor—considerably improved but in a serious condition. Charlton and Tomasevich—maybe discharged tomorrow. Morgans, Wood and Viollet—in good condition and maybe discharged later this week.
   
"THE funeral took place in Manchester of Henry Rose, famous columnist and Northern Sports Editor of the Daily Express. Representatives of newspapers throughout Britain and leading personalities in all sports were among the mourners. Crowds stood in silence along the route as thousands lined the street as the funeral processions of two victims passed by, a half-mile procession of cars and taxis drove the City of Manchester to the Southern Cemetery, Fallowfield."
"United supporter William Satinoff, businessman and racehorse owner, was also buried today."

"DOCTORS said tonight that Duncan Edwards is 'in very, very bad condition.' Two more of the injured are still on the danger list—Kenneth Rayment, who has been moved into an oxygen tent, and John Berry. Matt Busby has not yet been told that some of his team are dead."
"John Berry regained consciousness for the first time. And he spoke a few words."
  
PRESS 'HORDE' AT HOSPITAL — M.P.s' PROTEST OVER MUNICH PICTURES
'EXPLOITING MISERY'
    Press behaviour at the Munich hospital is the subject of a motion tabled by a number of Conservative back-benchers, deploring the conduct of 'certain newspapers.'
   To-night there were 10 supporters of the motion, which has been tabled by Lieutenant-Commander Lynch Maydon Wells. It reads: 'That this House deplores the conduct of a section of the British press in violating the privacy of the victims of the Munich air disaster, thereby hindering the hospital staff, and in exploiting sensation by publishing photographs of the injured and their relatives.'
    Commander Maydon, with Mr. Leavey (Heywood and Royton), Mr. Whitelaw (Penrith and The Border), and Mr. Teeling (Brighton, Pavilion), bases his protests on the photographs which some newspapers printed of Mr. Busby in an oxygen tent and of other patients in hospital beds, and also on an account broadcast by the B.B.C. in a news bulletin on Saturday night. The broadcast, according to one of the signatories of the
motion, stated the activities of the British activities of the British photographers hindered the hospital staff in their work of mercy.
   Commander Maydon told your Correspondent: 'I was horrified when I saw the photographs in some newspapers, and particularly by the picture of the unfortunate Mr. Busby unconscious inside an oxygen tent. Then there were pictures of men not so desperately injured with their wives by the bedside with anxiety and horror written all over their faces. I thought this was purely exploiting other people's misery. It is disgusting that it should have taken place.'
   All the supporters of the motion, which was tabled on Monday, make it clear that they had no foreknowledge of the letter published in The Times above the name of Mr. Anthony Milward. Maydon said, however: 'I have been encouraged in tabling this motion by this letter, which confirmed the impressions I had formed.
   'When I heard the B.B.C. account on Saturday night, which included a statement that the authorities were
'embarrassed' or 'hindered’—I cannot be sure which—in carrying out their duties, I felt compelled to bring the matter before the House of Commons.'
'At any rate, it was clear from the B.B.C. report that the doctors were not well pleased by having this horde of people on the premises trying to take photographs. It is a bad example to another nation. We ought to be all the more careful when British nationals are involved in the hindrance of German hospital staff or the staff of any other foreign hospital for that matter.'

   Mr. Teeling said he was appalled by the photographs taken of Mr. Busby being given an injection while he lay unconscious in an oxygen tent.
   The sponsors of the motion hope that it will draw attention in the Commons to the conduct of some members of newspaper staffs and thereby crystallise outside opinion and bring nearer the day when some restraints will be imposed, either by the Press or outside authority.
JOURNALISTS' PROPOSAL
The Sheffield branch of the National Union of Journalists passed the following resolution to-night: 'In view of the impending funerals of the victims of the Manchester United disaster, the Sheffield branch of the N.U.J. asks all journalists to refrain from covering these funerals beyond the mere reporting of the fact that they have taken place, as it is felt that anything more would constitute a serious intrusion into the private griefs of the bereaved families. This branch has instructed all its members—reporters, sub-editors, and photographers—to refrain from handling copy referring to these funerals except in the form already stated. A direct request along these lines is being made to editors of both papers published in this city.

 
Wedneday, 12 February 1958
"Thousands of mourners attended the funeral services for four other victims today. Roger Byrne was cremated in Manchester after a service at Flixton. A service for Frank Swift was held at St. Margaret's Church, Whalley Range. He was cremated in Manchester. Eric Thompson was buried at Southern Cemetery, Manchester, after a service attended by his family, friends and fellow newspaper-men. Several United players and officials were among those who attended the funeral of David Pegg at St. George's Church in Highfields, followed by the internment at Adwick New Cemetery, near Doncaster."
"THE funeral service of Archie Ledbrook was held at the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Bramhall, Cheshire, just down the road from his home, where his widow and two daughters mourn him. Following a simple service, the packed congregation, silent and sad, drove to Stockport Crematorium for the final farewell."
"Four of United's young Irishmen will be in Dublin today for the funeral of Bill Whelan."
"THREE people who escaped in the Munich air disaster were at the funeral of one of the victims—Chief Steward Thomas William Cable. Curtains were drawn along the route to St. Mary's Church, Brynmawr. Women in the streets sobbed and men stood with bared heads. Among the mourners were Capt. James Thain. With him were Margaret Bellis and Rosemary Cheverton. In front of the wreath-covered hearse walked 30 more stewards. They were among the 60 B.E.A. employees who chartered a plane to attend the funeral."
 
"THE parents of Duncan Edwards made a dramatic dash tonight to Munich where doctors were fighting for the life of their son. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards raced by car from their home in Dudley to London Airport. They arrived late—but their Lufthansa plane was still waiting. They were taken straight out to it and the plane took off twenty minutes behind schedule. They began their dash when it was announced that Duncan Edwards was 'in acute danger'. Doctors called for an 'artificial kidney' machine, which clears the blood stream. But the machine was being overhauled in  factory 200 miles away at Freiburg. A police car in Freiburg went to the factory. The machine—it looks like a big washing machine—was ready and it was loaded on to a trailer attached to the car. Then, at speeds of seventy miles an hour, the car raced to Munich along a fast autobahn. And last night at the hospital, Dr. J. Graham Taylor, a British European Airways medical officer, said: "The machine has done its job. EDWARDS IS SLIGHTLY BETTER."

"Duncan Edwards showed 'dramatic improvement' in hospital to-day. Dr. Graham Taylor, said: 'Edwards is conscious and talking. He asked for a drink and for an apple. He was given a glass of lemonade.' The improvement began after he had an artificial kidney linked to his blood stream. Dr. Taylor said it would be two or three days before it could be known whether the present improvement would be maintained. The patient is still very seriously ill. Dr. Taylor said Edwards knew what had happened to him but does not know of the deaths in the crash. He added that while he was conscious he spoke to his fiancée."

"Mrs. Eleanor Miklos, who was injured in the crash, and is paralysed from the waist down, was flown to London to-night and was taken to Stoke Mandeville Hospital."
The official bulletin issued: Matt Busby, Frank Taylor and Jackie Blanchflower: Good general condition. Not in acute danger. Kenneth Rayment: In acute danger. John Berry: In danger, but showing steady improvement. Bobby Charlton was released from hospital.
 
"THE Welsh F.A. have asked Johnny Stephens (Hull City) to stand by as reserve to Manchester United's outside right Ken Morgans, injured in the Munich disaster, for the under-23 trial at Newport on Wednesday."
   
Thursday, 13 February 1958
"Thousands of people lined the route at Barnsley for the funeral procession of Tommy Taylor. The funeral took place at the Parish Church in the village of Monk Bretton, near Barnsley. Mr. Joe Richards, Mr. Walter Winterbottom, and representatives of Manchester United were among the mourners. And players of Barnsley formed a guard of honour outside the church. The Mayor and Mayoress of Barnsley and seven members of the Raley School football team were also present. The school had collected so much money for a wreath that, with the balance, they will set up a Tommy Taylor Memorial Trophy for the most promising footballer in the school each year."
"Geoffrey Bent, twenty-five year old reserve full-back, was buried at St. John's Church, Pendlebury."
"The funeral of coach Bert Whalley took place at Dunkinfield Crematorium. And the service for trainer Tom Curry was at Gorse Hill Methodist Church, Stretford."
"Crowds lined the Manchester streets when the funeral of Manchester Guardian sports writer Don Davies took place at St. Ann's Church. Colleagues stood outside Kemsley House as the funeral procession of Evening Chronicle writer Alf Clarke passed by."
"THE funeral of George Fellows, sports columnist of the Daily Herald, takes place at Busbhury Crematorium, Wolverhampton at 2 p.m.."


"Dependents of each of the seven United footballers killed in the crash will receive £600 through the Players' Union"
"32-year-old England inside-right Ernie Taylor is the first reinforcement in Manchester United's battle to come back, from Blackpool, for £8,000. Goalkeeper Harry Gregg and right-back Bill Foulkes are back in training."
    
Friday, 14 February 1958
"Three Manchester United youth team players were altar boys to-day at St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church, Stretford, Manchester, where a funeral service was held for Walter Crickmer, before burial at Stretford Cemetery."
"The funeral of Mark Jones, centre half-back, took place at Wombwell, West Yorkshire to-day."
"TOM JACKSON, the Manchester Evening News sports writer who followed Manchester United for a quarter of a century made his last journey from the newspaper's Cross-street building this afternoon. Police provided a motor-cycle escort for the funeral procession as it wound slowly to Manchester Crematorium The cortege, two hearses, one containing flowers, and five cars containing relatives and close friends, left Tom Jackson's home in Kingsway Extension, East Didsbury, at 2.25 p.m. and went via Kingsway, Stockport Road, London Road, Piccadilly and Market-street into Cross-street. After stopping at the Manchester Evening News office, the cortege, now joined by scores of cars containing colleagues and other mourners, left for Manchester Crematorium via Cross-street, Albert Square, Central Station, City Road, Russell-street, Chorlton Road, Brook's bar, Upper Chorlton Road, Manchester Road, Barlow Moor Road."
"Eddie Colman was buried at Weaste cemetery after a ceremony at St. Clement's Church."
"TWENTY-TWO girls and five men took half an hour off work to see the funeral procession of [Eddie Colman]. WHEN THEY WENT BACK TO WORK THEY WERE SACKED. It happened at the Salford firm of Boxmakers Ltd., which employs 190 people. Mr. Vincent Harney, production manager, said: "Some of the girls had asked their foreman [Mr. George Traynor], who has been a United supporter for fifty-three years, if they could go see the procession. The foreman told them: 'You can't go. We have done enough mourning.' I agreed with him."

They were given their jobs back the following week.
  
Saturday, 15 February 1958
"DUNCAN Edwards had several blood transfusions after the hospital sent out calls for blood donors. He is still dangerously ill."
 
Sunday, 16 February 1958
"SPORTSMEN from all over the Midlands attended a special church service in Birmingham to pay tribute to those who died in the Munich air disaster. The service, at St. John's, Sparkhill at 3 p.m. Mr. E.A. Eden, C.B.E. paid a sportsman's tribute. Gil Merrick and Billy Wright read the lessons. The Lord Mayor of Birmingham and representatives of Midland Football League attended. The address was given by the Rev. R.S.O. Stevens and the service conducted by the Rev. J.W. Jackson."
"ANOTHER slight improvement in the condition of John Berry was reported from Munich tonight. 'But he is still on the danger list,' Dr. Graham Taylor told Reuter. There was no change in the condition of Duncan Edwards or of Captain Kenneth Rayment. Of Matt Busby, the doctor said 'He is gaining strength day by day and is anxious to have his new spectacles because he wants to read.' All the other injured players were 'doing well'.
The Football League management committee decided to send a message of appreciation and thanks to the hospital."

    
Monday, 17 February 1958
"A GENTLE reveille of hunting horns ushered the crowd from Manchester Cathedral after they had attended the memorial service to eight journalists who lost their lives. 'It was a personal tribute of the organist, Mr. Allan Wicks. I composed it on the spur of the moment,' he said. Newspapermen, civic leaders, sportsmen, airway officials and others heard the Dean the Manchester, the Very Rev. H.A. Jones, say: 'Journalism has become a very dangerous profession, particularly for the special correspondent and special writer.'.
IN LONDON a memorial service was held in St. Martin-in-the-Fields for all who died. More than 1,000 filled the pews and overflowed into the gallery."


"DUNCAN Edwards may not need artificial kidney treatment today. A doctor said in Munich: 'It's a good sign.'"
"Edwards was 'satisfactory' after an artificial kidney had been used for five hours"
  
Tuesday, 18 February 1958
"DUNCAN Edwards, still dangerously ill, was given a blood transfusion after treatment with an artificial kidney."
 
Wednesday, 19 February 1958
FA Cup Fifth Round
Manchester United 3 Sheffield Wednesday 0

 Old Trafford, Manchester (59,848)
Brennan
(2), Dawson
"Bill Foulkes, skipper of the new Babes of Manchester, wept unashamedly as he led his men into the dressing room after they beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-0. And the win puts the Babes into the Sixth Round of the F.A. Cup—and back on the road to greatness. Four slightly injured United players in the Isar Hospital, Ray Wood, Kenny Morgans, Albert Scanlon and Dennis Viollet, heard a special commentary on the match over the telephone. But manager Matt Busby, John Berry and Duncan Edwards did not know the match was being played. Edwards and Berry are too ill. And Matt was not told about the game because the tragedy of the crash is still being a kept a secret from him."
"Manchester United did not name their team. There were 11 blank names in the programme when the players, wearing black armbands, lined up under the floodlights at Old Trafford. Two of the survivors played—Harry Gregg, the goalkeeper and Billy Foulkes, right-back and captain, successor to Roger Byrne, who was killed.."
"Duncan Edwards, who has shown 'signs of distress', rallied tonight."
  
Thursday, 20 February 1958
"MATT BUSBY got a new pair of spectacles, but was not allowed to read newspapers. Meanwhile, in another part of the hospital, Dennis Viollets, Ken Morgans, Bert Scanlon and Ray Wood tried on new suits brought in by a German tailor. British European Airways are buying a new outfit for each survivor. The condition of the three men on the danger list—John Berry, Duncan Edwards and Captain Peter Rayment, was unchanged"

2.15am Friday, 21 February 1958
"TEAM-MATES of Manchester United's plucky young footballer, Duncan Edwards, wept in Rechts der Isar hospital here to-day when the were told that soccer's 'wonder boy' had lost the 15-day fight for life. The lion-hearted Edwards died peacefully in his sleep, with no pain, at 2.15 a.m. to-day after a desperate last-minute battle to save him. About midnight doctors noticed that his circulation was failing. Injections caused a temporary improvement but his strength ebbed away. Nurses at his bedside—well used to suffering and sudden death—broke down and wept as the flame for life for which they fought so hard flickered out. First to be told were Edward's parents and his fiancée, Miss Molly Leech. And then Edward's colleagues had to be told. Ray Wood, Ken Morgans, Dennis Viollet and Albert Scanlon were told. They wept as Professor Goerg Maurer—chief surgeon who was with Edwards when he died—gently broke the news. 'We cannot believe it.' they said. Edwards body will be flown home in a few days by special plane.
"Edwards had little pain since the crash—only discomfort. He amazed the doctors with his fight to live. It was only his immense physical strength and super human will to live that enabled him to cling to life. But let Manchester know this: No hospital anywhere in the world could have put up a more tremendous untiring struggle for Edward's life. Munich doctors have used every modern medical facility available in what they knew—but would never admit—was a losing battle. B.E.A. have also been magnificent. They spared no expense and no effort to see that Edwards lacked nothing. If there is any consolation to be gained from this black day for Manchester it is this: HAD EDWARDS LIVED HE WOULD NEVER AGAIN HAVE BEEN THE DASHING HERO OF THE 'BUSBY BABES'.
"The reason for Edward's death is in simple terms, that his badly bruised kidneys just would not work. Five time his polluted bloodstream was cleansed by the artificial kidney. Many German donors gave person-to-person blood transfusions."

Two other players, Ken Morgans and Dennis Viollet, are to leave hospital. They will fly to England as a train journey will be too strenuous. Kenneth Rayment is still in a dangerous condition. John Berry is listed as critical."
  
Saturday, 22 February 1958
Football League Division One
Manchester United 1 Nottingham Forest 1

 Old Trafford, Manchester (66,123 postwar ground record)
Dawson ~ Imlach
United remain fifth in the league table
"The Dean of Manchester, the Very Rev. H.A. Jones, said that Association football was for millions what ballet was for others. It was a great art and some of the greatest artists had been lost. At the memorial service at Manchester United ground, 66,000 people had stood silent. It could be said that such things were 'just examples of mass hysteria or juvenile hero worship, but between Manchester United and sport and sports writers and their readers there was a family feeling unlike anything I have known."

"THE body of Duncan Edwards was flown home today. Among the floral tributes at Munich airport was one from Mrs. Matt Busby, whose husband is still in hospital."
Ken Morgans and Dennis Viollet are released from hospital
 
Sunday, 23 February 1958
"Ken Morgans and Dennis Viollet watched a football match at Munich in heavy snow. The crowd of 45,000 stood and cheered when it was announced that the two players were among the spectators. At first doctors refused to allow them to attend the game—between two South German First Division sides—but later relented on condition that they are well protected against the cold. In the 30th minute the referee stopped the match and everybody stood, bareheaded, for a minute's silence in remembrance of those killed in the crash."

"Almost 8,000 people attended memorial services in Manchester today. More than 6,000 attended a Roman Catholic Solemn High Mass at King's Hall, Belle Vue, tonight. Ten double-deck buses took people from one Manchester parish. A service in Manchester Cathedral was attended by 1,700 people. Admission was by ticket only, and the congregation included the Jugoslav Ambassador in London, Mr. Ivan Vejvoda, and officials of the Red Star Club and the Jugoslav Football Association."
 
The official bulletin issued: Kenneth Rayment and John Berry: unchanged, remain dangerously ill. Matt Busby: doing well, has a cold and a cough: Jackie Blanchflower: making satisfactory progress; Frank Taylor: very cheerful.
       
Tuesday, 25 February 1958
"Doctors here to-day reported a deterioration in the condition of Captain Kenneth Rayment. A medical bulletin issued to-day said: 'His condition has deteriorated through the night and is giving cause for concern.' Medical sources at the hospital said that Mrs. Rayment had been informed of her husband's serious condition, and had visited him this morning, but on medical advice she did not remain at his bedside. A British European Airways officer said his circulation was showing signs of failing, and restorative measures were being applied. The medical bulletin said the condition of John Berry was 'unchanged'. He remains on the danger list. Matt Busby had now got over his cold and like the other survivors in hospital, 'continues to make good progress.'"

"Matt Busby 'may have a fair notion' of what happened to his team, a B.E.A. medical officer said. This was gathered from conversations between Mr. Busby and Ken Morgans and Dennis Viollet, after they had asked his permission to fly back to England. 'He told them not to fly: he was not very keen on the idea.' They could not 'positively' tell if he knew.
"A management committee was appointed to advice the trustees on how to apply the money in the Lord Mayor's Manchester United Disaster Fund, which now stands at £14,200. It was decided that the fund would be used primarily to help those in the plane who suffered physical or financial loss, or their dependents."
      
  
Wednesday, 26 February 1958
"TRAFFIC stopped in Dudley, Worcs, this afternoon for the funeral procession of Duncan Edwards. Drivers stood by their vehicles with heads bowed as the cortege was driven along the two miles route from St. Francis's Church to the cemetery. Five thousand mourners had gathered outside the church, and the crowd were so great they had to divert traffic. The cortege passed the Wolverhampton-street School, pupils lined both sides of the road to pay the final tribute. Those who bore the coffin into the church included five of Edwards' England team-mates. They were his captain, Billy Wright; Don Howe and Ray Barlow; Ronnie Clayton and Peter McParland. Other bearers were Pat Saward, and Gordon Clayton and Bob English. More than 300 people packed the church. The Rev. A.D. Catterall, vicar, conducted the service at St. Francis's. More than 300 wreaths were laid out in the garden of Edwards' home."

"Matt Busby has been told about the deaths of eight of his players. A hospital spokesman said he was given the details today. A German Roman Catholic priest broke the news to him. 'The priest was on a routine visit, Busby asked about Duncan Edwards. The priest could not tell an untruth, and said that Edwards was dead. Then Mrs. Busby paid her regular evening visit, and she was asked in detail about everybody. Busby ran through the list of players and officials who were on the aircraft. Mrs. Busby told her husband everything He was naturally upset and very depressed. He did not sleep very well last night, but two shots of morphia gave him some rest."
"There was no significant change in the condition of Capt. Rayment. Blood transfusions, injections and hyperthermia (packing the body in ice) are all being used in the fight for his life. John Berry was responding more and more to stimuli, he has maintained a 'very slow rate of improvement,'. The indications were hopeful, but he remained on the danger list."
 
Friday, 28 February 1958
"ALL the Manchester United survivors in Munich will know minute by minute how the new United fares in the great sixth round Cup battle against West Brom at Birmingham to-morrow, They will know every thrill of the game as it happens because the Manchester Evening News has made special arrangements with the hospital and organised a commentary service of this game that means so much to the men in Munich, most of all Matt Busby. There in the Munich hospital to hear it will be Albert Scanlon, Jackie Blanchflower, Ray Wood and journalist Frank Taylor. And Ken Morgans and Dennis Viollet will go along to hear the 'news' match commentary with their team-mates."
    "Doctors kept an anxious eye on the progress of Matt Busby to-day in case delayed shock set in now he has been told the full story. But the report was encouraging. 'There is no sign of delayed shock,' said a doctor. Busby underwent another small operation this morning to remove fluid from his right lung. Feelings are mixed about Busby being told of the 22 deaths. Most doctors wanted to keep the news from him as long as possible so that he would be back to full strength when told. Many however, are relieved that the important bridge has been crossed.
"Busby was given sedatives to help him to sleep last night and he seems to be getting over the acute depression that had set in. 'Although Busby definitely did not know about the deaths—as some suspected—there can be no doubt that at the back of his mind he had more than a suspicion. He had been noting the boys who had been to visit him, such as Gregg, Foulkes, Morgans and Viollet, and doubtless he had put two and two together.
"Reports on the other two seriously injured men were: Captain Kenneth Rayment showed a very slight improvement. Frank Taylor given a small skin graft to his leg. John Berry had a restless night but has maintained the slight improvement shown yesterday. He is still dangerously ill."
    
Saturday, 1 March 1958
FA Cup Quarter-Final
West Bromwich Albion 2 Manchester United 2
 The
Hawthorns, West Bromwich (58,250)
Allen, Horobin ~ Dawson, E.Taylor
"John Berry is expected to be taken off the danger list shortly, a medical bulletin stated to-day. 'Berry had a good night and shows further signs of regaining consciousness,' the bulletin said. A hospital spokesman added that improvement had been slow but nevertheless encouraging. No change was reported in the condition of Kenneth Rayment, He remains dangerously ill and is still unconscious. All other survivors in hospital are continuing to make good progress. They are Jackie Blanchflower, Albert Scanlon and Ray Wood."

"MUNICH'S district attorney is preparing charges against the pilot and co-pilot of the Elizabethan airliner which crashed killing 22 on February 6. The trial will most probably held at Munich and if the attorney thinks the pilots acted carelessly the charges will be manslaughter."
   
BRUSSELS "Manchester United will meet either Milano Italy or Dortmund Borussia in the semi-finals of the European Cup. No ballot was made. The pairings were agreed unanimously by the European soccer cup organising committee in order to give Manchester United the most suitable match from the travelling point of view. All five clubs affected agreed."
Monday, 3 March 1958
"MUNICH doctors were planning to-day to give another blood transfusion to Captain Rayment. A bulletin says: 'He has improved somewhat but is still deeply unconscious. His condition remains extremely serious.' John Berry is still on the danger list. Matt Busby, Frank Taylor, Jackie Blanchflower, Albert Scanlon and Ray Wood were all making satisfactory progress. Scanlon and Wood will be discharged on Friday. Ken Morgans and Dennis Viollet will return home on Wednesday—by train."

 
Wednesday, 5 March 1958
FA Cup Quarter-Final replay
Manchester United 1 West Bromwich Albion 0

 
Old Trafford, Manchester (60,560)
Webster
(in the final minute)
"DENNIS Viollet and Ken Morgans arrived at Liverpool Street Station, London, today, on the night boat train. They were met by relatives and taken to taxis. As soon as the train pulled in a police inspector entered their compartment, while others cleared a corridor to their waiting cars. As Ken Morgans stepped from the train, his mother, Mrs, Winifred Morgans, who had travelled from Swansea during the night, slipped under a policeman's arm to embrace her son. He was also greeted by his fiancée, Miss Stephanie Lloyd. Morgans later arrived in Manchester with Miss Lloyd. When they stepped off the train at London Road station, no-one recognised them and there was no reception party. They were taken to a car and drove off. Dennis Viollet was traveling by road to Manchester.
"John Berry has been given fluid intravenously to improve the functioning of his kidneys. 'His general condition, however, is unchanged and he remains on the danger list.' A hospital spokesman explained that Berry cannot keep down food and liquids taken by mouth. A sufficient intake of fluid is necessary for the satisfactory functioning of the kidneys to filter out certain poisonous substances from the blood. Rayment remains in an extremely critical condition."
  
Friday, 7 March 1958
"Members of the medical staff of the Rechts der Isar Hospital were at London Airport tonight, following their arrival from Germany. They are to be guests of honour at Manchester United's match at Old Trafford to-morrow against West Bromwich Albion. The party includes Professor Franz Karl Kessel, a brain surgeon, who disclosed later when they arrived in Manchester that John Berry was out of danger.
In Munich, Capt. Kenneth Rayment had his left leg amputated above the knee tonight. A hospital spokesman said there was a sudden deterioration in his condition and gangrene was found below the knee. It was decided that the only possible way to save his life was to amputate. His general condition had not deteriorated, 'but it must be considered as most critical.'"
  
Saturday, 8 March 1958
Football League Division One
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 4
 Old Trafford, Manchester (63,278)
Allen (2 (1 pen)), Greaves OG, Kevan
United drop to sixth in the league table
"A hospital bulletin said: 'This morning there is evidence of recovery [of Capt. Kenneth Rayment] from the initial shock of the operation carried out last night. Further blood transfusions are planned for to-day. The general condition, however, remains critical.' A hospital spokesman said he had been on the brink of death for a month. The tenacity with which he was struggling for life was remarkable. The bulletin also said that John Berry was slightly improved but remained on the danger list. All other survivors in the hospital were making good progress. Albert Scanlon is to be discharged next Tuesday, while Jackie Blanchflower, who yesterday took the day off from hospital to celebrate his 25th birthday, will be released in about two weeks."
 
Monday, 10 March 1958
"There was a slight deterioration today in the condition of Captain Kenneth Rayment. John Berry, maintaining the improvement shown in the last two days, was fully conscious and 'talking a fair amount,' a hospital spokesman said. All the others in the hospital were making satisfactory progress."
   
Tuesday, 11 March 1958
Kenneth Rayment is 37 years old today.

 
Wednesday, 12 March 1958
"MANCHESTER UNITED'S goalkeeper, Ray Wood, said in London to-day that he is suffering from double vision after the disaster. He was on the way to Manchester from Germany with his pretty wife, Betty. 'It may take up to three months to clear up,' he said. 'I shall be out of soccer till next season.' Before the crash Wood had lost his team place after the signing of Harry Gregg. He asked for a transfer. 'I have given up all idea of moving to another club since the disaster, I am going to stick with the lads and do all I can to help them.'
"John Berry was to-day finally declared out of danger. Doctors said Berry gave clear answers to doctors' questions to-day for the first time."
"Mr. John Springbett, B.E.A.'s chief insurance officer, will open preliminary talks to-day on compensation for relatives of the killed or injured. Even the slightly injured will get compensation. Claims will probably amount to nearly £100,000."
  
Thursday, 13 March 1958
"JACKIE BLANCHFLOWER was discharged from hospital in Munich to-day. The international centre-half, his right arm in a sling, said he expected to return to England next week. The hospital said John Berry and Matt Busby were making good progress; sports writer Frank Taylor was comfortable; but Capt. Kenneth Rayment was still in a critical condition."
"Lord Mayor's Manchester United Disaster Fund now at £26,300."
  
Saturday, 15 March 1958
Football League Division One
Burnley 3 Manchester United 0
 
Turf Moor, Burnley (37,247)
McIlroy, Shackleton, Cheesebrough
United remain sixth in the league table
"Captain Kenneth Rayment is still in a critical condition. It added that he is still unconscious. His temperature had risen a little more since yesterday and hypothermia treatment was being applied. Matt Busby, who was allowed out of bed for the first time yesterday and sat in a chair for five minutes, continues to improve. John Berry, who yesterday was able to take a few steps across the ward helped by two of the hospital staff, also continues to make progress. Berry's improvement during the past week was described by a doctor as remarkable."

"CAPTAIN Kenneth Gordon Rayment, co-pilot of the Manchester United plane which crashed in Munich, died in hospital. He had been unconscious since the crash just over a month ago. His wife Mary was at his bedside frequently during the German doctor's long fight to save his life. She took the news of her husband's death very bravely, said friends. Captain Rayment, aged thirty-[seven], was the twenty-third victim of the crash. He lived in Sayers, Adversane, Billinghurst, Sussex, and had two children, nine year-old Stephen and daughter, Judy, six. He died of a circulatory failure during a blood transfusion."
  
Sunday, 16 March 1958
"Matt Busby left his hospital bed today for 15 minutes. John Berry was also allowed up for a few minutes. The only other crash victim still in hospital is sports writer Frank Taylor. He is said to be making good progress."
"MATT BUSBY was allowed out of his hospital bed for one hour in Munich this morning."
  
Monday, 17 March 1958
"Matt Busby will possibly have a walking plaster on his injured left foot in about three weeks time. The foot was x-rayed today. The condition of John Berry was 'improving a bit each day. He is eating well.' Frank Taylor had a window cut into the plaster on his right leg yesterday. He was feeling fine."
"The body of Kenneth Rayment was being flown to London this afternoon."
   
Wednesday, 19 March 1958
"The funeral of Captain Kenneth Rayment took place at St. Mary's Parish Church, Wanstead, London, E11, and the cremation was at City of London Crematorium, Manor Park."
   
Saturday, 22 March 1958
FA Cup Semi-Final
Manchester United 2 Fulham 2
 
Villa Park, Birmingham (69,745)
Charlton (2) ~ Stevens, Hill
"Because of the success of the telephone link with the Munich hospital today—to keep Matt Busby informed of the Manchester United-Fulham thrills—the Manchester and Salford hospitals commentaries organisation plan to repeat the service for Wednesday's Highbury replay. It will again be done in conjunction with the Manchester Evening News. thousands of patients in Manchester and Salford hospitals will also be able to follow that replay."

 
Tuesday, 25 March 1958
"Matt Busby is getting up each day and sitting in a chair. John Berry, also improving, spends 'several minutes' out of bed daily. He is making a 'good recovery,' and has begun speaking 'a bit more clearly.' Frank Taylor is improving."
"Lord Mayor's Manchester United Disaster Fund now at £30,500."
  
Wednesday, 26 March 1958
FA Cup Semi-Final replay
Fulham 3 Manchester United 5

 
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury (38,258)
Stevens, Chamberlain, Dwight ~
Dawson (3), Brennan, Charlton
 "A TELEPHONE-RADIO link arranged by me [Jonathan] from the News Chronicle office told Matt Busby of Manchester United's great win. Then came the best news of all, from Professor Frank Kessel, 'Mr. Busby should be able to see his team play at Wembley. He is progressing very well. We are all Manchester United fans now.' he said. Half an hour before the end of United's semi-final replay with Fulham I telephoned colleague Frank Taylor, also in plaster at the hospital. I held my telephone to my desk wireless, so that he could hear the B.B.C. broadcast. Frank relayed snatches of the news to the eager party of friends and hospital staff grouped round his bed. Mrs. Taylor took the first news—that United were leading Fulham 4—2. 'It was really wonderful to see Mr. Busby's eyes light up when I told him,' she said. The final victory news left him speechless with pleasure."
"I am so proud, particularly of boys like Harry Gregg, Billy Foulkes and Bobby Charlton, who were with us in the plane crash. Their performance was wonderful." Busby said.
   
Saturday, 29 March 1958
Football League Division One
Sheffield Wednesday 1 Manchester United 0

 Hillsborough, Sheffield (35,608)
Shiner
United drop to eighth in the League table
"MANCHESTER UNITED put their success - studded rousing ride along the Wembley trail behind them to-day to get to grips with one of the heaviest end-of-season League programmes any club has ever tackled. Eleven games have to be played in the next 29 days. And United knew the first match of this end-of-season jam would be a tough one. To-day's game at Hillsborough is a different proposition. United have a difficult time fighting against the feeling of anti-climax after winning through to Wembley."
"Lord Mayor's Manchester United Disaster Fund now at £32,100."
  
Sunday, 30 March 1958
"The Manchester United fixture headache throbs on. From Italy last night came the news that Milan, the Italian champions, have asked the European Cup committee for permission to play the first leg of their semi-final with United on Milan on April 16. Their reason: 'We had to play the first leg of both or previous rounds, against Glasgow Rangers and Dortmund Borussia, away.' United must cry off from this date... for three solid reasons. They have a rearranged First Division match with Portsmouth on that evening. The Wales-Ireland match is on the same day (with Wales claiming team manager Jimmy Murphy and Ireland calling on goalkeeper Harry Gregg). Finally, the suggested date is just three days before the England-Scotland clash at Hampden."
"Jackie Blanchflower won't be going to Sweden, as a guest of Ireland, or to Wembley, as a guest of United. He said sadly: 'I have been told by my doctors to avoid all crowds, so I won't be at Wembley. And in June, I may be going back into hospital for an operation on my arm. It's still in the balance whether I'll ever play again, and I won't know for several months. It's just my luck to miss Sweden and Wembley . . . but I am thankful to be alive.
          
Monday, 31 March 1958
Football League Division One
Aston Villa 3 Manchester United 2

 
Villa Park, Birmingham (16,631)
Myerscough, Hitchens, Sewell ~
Webster, Dawson
United remain eighth with 2/3 games in hand
"UNITED's acting-manager, Jimmy Murphy, was feeling good tonight. He had just made the 30-hour sea and land journey to the Rechts der Isar hospital in Munich to put Matt Busby back in the football picture. In a bedside chat with Frank Taylor, still in hospital, Jimmy Murphy said: 'We were tremendously thrilled to see the progress Matt is making. He's obviously getting his teeth into football again. I came over to tell Matt all about how the young boys are playing . . . how we got to the Cup Final . . . and how we hope to win at Wembley. Now I'm hoping and praying that Matt can get back home for the Final. It would be the greatest moment of my life if he could be there with us.'"
"Jimmy Murphy visited his boss to-day. Reporters said Mr. Murphy 'was not in the mood to be interviewed.'"
"Trainer Jack Crompton was in charge of the team as Manchester United returned to the scene of their first semi-final battle. Travelling with United was reserve Ken Morgans."
"Lord Mayor's Manchester United Disaster Fund now at £32,600."
  
Thursday, 3 April 1958
"CRITICISM of the behaviour of British Pressmen at the time of the Munich air disaster which was made by Mr. Anthony Milward was not substantiated, the national executive council of the National Union of Journalists has decided. The council meeting at Douglas, Isle of Man, reached this conclusion after examining statements made by members present at the time of Munich. Mr. T. Bartholomew, of Manchester, said in his presidential address that the attack on the behaviour of journalists had been smouldering for some time in various quarters, burst into flames in January, died down, and broke out again in February. 'If the allegations had been framed in precise terms against named individuals they could have been examined and appropriate action taken within the framework of our rules. Our critics chose, however, to be unspecific in the incidents about which they complained or in the identity of the individual or individuals they attacked.'"
      
Friday, 4 April 1958
Football League Division One
Manchester United 2 Sunderland 2

 
Old Trafford, Manchester (47,187)
Charlton
, Dawson ~ Revie, O'Niell
United remain eighth with two games in hand
"MATT BUSBY is being pestered with letters and money by people wanting tickets to the Cup Final. Dozens of fans are writing to the Munich hospital where he is still lying and his wife is kept busy sending back the cheques and postal orders. Mrs. Busby said: 'Matt can do nothing about tickets—he probably won't even see one.' She made this plea to the thoughtless in England: 'Please don't worry Matt.'"
  
Saturday, 5 April 1958
Football League Division One
Manchester United 0 Preston North End 0

 
Old Trafford, Manchester (48,167)
United remain eighth with two games in hand
"Young Clive Macro will treasure his copy of the Manchester Evening News memorial picture of the Manchester United team which was in the Munich air crash. Clive sent his picture to the Rechts der Isar Hpsoital, Munich, and it was returned signed with the signatures of those who nursed the injured players."
 
Monday, 7 April 1958
Football League Division One
Sunderland 1 Manchester United 2

 
Roker Park, Sunderland (51,302)
Fogarty ~ Webster (2)
United climb to seventh, still with two games in hand
"The European Cup committee today fixed the first leg of Manchester United's semi-final with Milan for Wednesday, May 14, at Old Trafford and the return match for May 21. Both dates will have to be approved the F.A."
        
Tuesday, 8 April 1958
"A B.E.A. official in Munich who visited the three survivors of the disaster still in hospital said yesterday they were all in 'first-class condition. They have no pain and have all got first-class appetites.'"
 
"THE Press Council today rejects charges of intrusion made against British photographers who took pictures of injured Manchester United players in the hospital. The Council's report says: 'We accept the evidence that British Press photographers were invited into the wards to take pictures and were given facilities for that purpose. We do not believe that any of them forced their way into the wards. The general charge of intrusion therefore fails. We believe that Mr. Anthony Milward, who made a complaint against the Press in a letter to The Times, was not aware of all the facts and has given a wrong impression. The evidence we have gathered by most careful inquiries is that six British photographers were present on that occasion. A number of photographers of other nationalities were present, including German, French, Italian and Hungarian. The photographic facilities given must have proved awkward for the hospital as the number of Press, newsreel and television visitors of various nationalities increased, but it seems to us that had the hospital authorities so desired the facilities could have been stopped at any time—as, indeed, they were on the third day. It may have been a mistake to grant them, but they were granted from the kindest motives, especially to show how well this first-rate hospital was caring for sportsmen dear to the British public. Whether some of the photographs in the British press ought not to have been published is a question of taste. A picture of a badly injured man in an oxygen tent may seem to some critics to be a violation of privacy. To others it may be striking evidence of the devoted scientific care given by the hospital staff to the injured, whose condition was of intense interest to millions of admirers. The Press Council considers that as a general principle a photograph of a seriously injured person likely to cause needless distress and pain to relatives should not be printed.'"
    
Saturday, 12 April 1958
"When asked for his comment on the Press Council report on his complaint against British photographers at Munich, Mr. Anthony Milward said: 'The Press Council are entitled to their opinions and I am entitled to mine.'. Mr. Milward said that he had not had time to read the full report of the Press Council findings. He agreed with the Press Council where they stated there were other Press photographers in Munich besides those from British newspapers, but, apart from that, he still stood by what he stated in his letter in The Times."
 
       
Football League Division One
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Manchester United 0

 
White Hart Lane, Tottenham (59,836)
Harmer (pen)
United drop to ninth place, still with two games in hand
"Matt Busby will be released from hospital next Thursday, a British European Airways spokesman announced today. He is to leave Munich by train the same day, arriving in London on Friday morning. Mr. Busby is to give a press conference in a Munich hotel immediately after leaving hospital. The other two survivors still in hospital, John Berry and Frank Taylor, are improving daily. He could give no indication as to when they would be discharged from hospital or allowed to return to England."
"It was announced that the chief surgeon at the hospital, Professor Georg Maurer, has been appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire."
 
   
Monday, 14 April 1958
"JUDGE Walter Stimpel, a German World War II air ace, will head the German inquiry into the Manchester United air crash. Judge Stimpel, aged 41, was a regular Luftwaffe officer from 1936 to 1945. The inquiry commission will meet in Munich on April 29 and 30, probably at the airport where the United plane crashed. Judge Stimpel will be assisted by a professor and a civil airline pilot. The hearings will be attended by observers from the British Ministry of Civil Aviation and British European Airways. To-day Judge Stimpel said it was not yet known how many witnesses would be called, but he wanted to keep their numbers as low as possible. Captain James Thain had written to say he would be in Munich to appear as a witness. Judge Stimpel said the detailed findings of the Commission would be sent to the West German Transport ministry, which would pass them on to the British Ministry of Civil Aviation. 'Unlike maritime boards, we will not be concerned with fixing the blame on anyone, but merely with finding the causes of the crash.' he said."
    
Tuesday, 15 April 1958
"Johnny Berry arrived back in Manchester to-day on a B.E.A. Viscount."
 
  
Wednesday, 16 April 1958
Football League Division One
Portsmouth 3 Manchester United 3

 
Fratton Park, Portsmouth (39,975)
Govan, Dougan, Harris ~ Dawson, E.Taylor, Webster
United remain ninth place, with one/two games in hand
"Matt Busby will be seen on B.B.C. television tonight shortly before he leaves the Munich hospital to travel home. He will be interviewed with Professor George Maurer on a live Eurovision transmission."
"BACK home in Manchester after nine weeks in a Munich hospital, Johnny Berry was to-day 'quite comfortable' in the private patients' wing of Manchester Royal Infirmary. 'At the moment it is impossible to say he will be released.' a hospital spokesman said."
"Denis Viollet and Albert Scanlon will attend at concert at City of Salford British Legion H.Q. to receive a cheque for £43 for the Lord Mayor's Munich Disaster Fund."
"Two Conservative M.P.s withdrew their names from the motion deploring 'the section of British Press' after the Munich air disaster. The two M.P.s are Mr. William Whitelaw (Penrith and the Border) and Mr. David Price (Waestleigh). Mr. Whitelaw was one of four conservatives who sponsored the motion, which appeared on the Commons order paper, carrying the names of thirty-six M.P.s."
   
 
Thursday, 17 April 1958
"MATT BUSBY will be at Wembley to lead his Manchester United side on to the field for the Cup Final—if it is humanly possible—and he will be back at the helm next season. Busby, smiling, but with one leg in plaster and looking tired, made that quite clear when he left hospital for home to-day. 'I hope it will be possible, but at the moment it is too early to say.' Half an hour earlier Mr. Busby had left the hospital, with his wife, amid joyful yet touching scenes. Nurses and doctors lined the corridors to shake hands with him as he limped on crutches by a car that was to take him to the Press Conference. Before leaving hospital Mr. Busby shook hands warmly with Professor Georg Maurer. Earlier he said goodbye to Frank Taylor, who is the only other survivor still under treatment."
"His train leaves Munich at 10.35GMT and is due in London at 9.11am on Friday, travelling by way of the Hook of Holland and Harwich."
  
 
Friday, 18 April 1958
"Another M.P. has withdrawn his name from the Commons motion deploring 'the section of the British Press.' He is Dr. H. M. King (Lab., Itchen, Southampton). Thirty-three names remain on the Commons motion."

  
 
"The last person in the party to speak to England was Kemsley reporter Alf Clarke. Only a few minutes before the final take-off he phoned his office in Manchester 'We are delayed at Munich with engine trouble. It is snowing heavily and it is doubtful whether we will be able to take-off tonight... Oh, just a minute, they have told me that we will be ready for take-off in a few minutes, SO I MUST DASH TO GET MY PLACE ON THE PLANE.' Late last night... there was no news of Alf Clarke"
  
The twenty who died at the crash..... The twenty-one who survived the crash....
  
Geoffrey Bent, 25

  
Roger William Byrne, 28

  
Edward Colman, 21

  
Mark Jones, 24

  
David Pegg, 22

  
Thomas Taylor, 26

  
William Augustine Whelan, 22
 
  
Walter Raymond Crickmer, 58
club secretary (b.17 December 1899)

  
Thomas Holmes Curry, 63
club trainer (b.1 September 1894)

  
Herbert Holmes Whalley, 44
club chief trainer (b.6 August 1913)
 
  
Alfred Clarke
football journalist (Manchester Evening Chronicle)

  
Harry Donald Davies, 65
football journalist (Manchester Guardian) (b.13 March 1892)

     
George Albert Follows, 40
football journalist (Daily Herald) (b.22 October 1917)

  
Thomas William Jackson, 46
football journalist (Manchester Evening News) (b.10 June 1911)

  
Archibald William Ledbrooke, 52
football journalist
(Daily Mirror) (b.14 August 1905)

  
Henry Rose, 59
football journalist (Daily Express) (b.1 December 1898)

  
Eric Thompson, 48
football journalist (Daily Mail) (b.18 September 1909)

  
Bela Miklos
travel agent

  
Wilhelm Satinoff, 53
future United Director (b.1904)

  
William Thomas Cable, 42
Airline Steward

  
Alexander Matthew Busby, 48
club manager (b.26 May 1909)

  
Reginald John Berry, 31

  
John Blanchflower, 24

  
Robert Charlton, 20

  
William Anthony Foulkes, 26

  
Henry Gregg, 25

  
Kenneth Godfrey Morgans, 18

  
Albert Joseph Scanlon, 22

  
Dennis Sydney Viollet, 24

  
Raymond Ernest Wood, 26
  
  
Frank Taylor, 37
football journalist (Daily Herald)

  
Edward Ellyard
football journalist (Daily Herald)

  
Peter Howard, 30
photographer (Daily Herald)
  
  
Vera Lukic

  
Vesna Lukic

  
Eleanor Miklos

  
Nebosja Tomašević, 27
Yugoslav attaché

    
Captain James Thain, 36

  
George William Rodgers, 35
Radio Officer

  
Rosemary Cheverton, 25
Airline Stewardess

  
Margaret Bellis, 37
Airline Stewardess

  
  
They died after the crash.....
  
Frank Victor Swift
football journalist for The News of the World,
he died on his way to hospital, aged 44

  
Duncan Edwards
he died of his injuries on 21 February 1958, aged 21

  
Captain Kenneth Robert Rayment DFC
co-pilot, he died of his injuries on 15 March 1958, aged 37
 
"From England's international standpoint the disaster is immense. Team manager Walter Winterbottom must reconcile himself to the loss of Roger Byrne, the brilliant impudent back, oak-like Duncan Edwards and centre-forward Tommy Taylor in the World Cup finals in Sweden in June. Without these three long-standing members of the side, our chances of winning the Cup for the first time slump. The very heart is torn out of a fine, promising side. The F.A. will doubtless consider whether the England team will continue to travel by air."
 
The story of the aftermath of the Munich Air Disaster is by no means over. For all future retrospective entries, they will be included in England Match Summary pages, or Party pages...starting with the World Cup provisional party page.
 
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