Duncan Edwards was one of the Busby Babes who lost his life in the fatal Munich Air Disaster back in 1958.
Edwards signed for Manchester United as a teenager and went on to become the youngest player to play in the Football League First Division. And it was on the 21st of February of 1958 that the English International lost his battle with life.
Here are 10 facts that you should know about the United legend.
- Edwards was the then youngest England player since the Second World War.
2. Edwards made his debut for the Manchester United senior side against Cardiff City aged just 16 years and 185 days.
3. In a professional career of less than five years, he helped United to win two Football League championships, two FA Charity Shields and reach the semi-finals of the European Cup.
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4. After the crash Edwards was taken to the Rechts der Isar Hospital with multiple leg fractures, fractured ribs and severely damaged kidneys.
5. The doctors treating him were doubtful that he would ever be able to play football again but also confident that he stood some chance of recovery.
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6. While in the hospital he asked assistant manager Jimmy Murphy “What time is the kick off against Wolves, Jimmy? I mustn’t miss that match”.
7. Hours before his death, by coincidence, a new issue of Charles Buchan’s Football Monthly was published in the United Kingdom, with a photograph of a smiling Edwards on the cover.
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8. Duncan Edwards’ tombstone at Dudley Cemetery reads: “A day of memory, Sad to recall, Without farewell, He left us all”
9. After scoring a goal on 26 May 1956, in a 3–1 friendly win against West Germany, he was given the nickname “Boom Boom” by the local press because of “the Big Bertha shot in his boots”.
10. England World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton has claimed time and again that Duncan Edwards was the greatest player that he has ever seen.
