‘You’ll never win anything with kids.’ That was the common opinion across England, and even Europe, in response to Sir Matt Busby’s philosophy young players. At a time when building teams with players with years of experience under their belts was the norm, Manchester United built a team around players as young as 18 years of age. Young players who everyone across England believed wouldn’t be able to achieve anything. But unknown to most of England, this group of ‘kids’ a.k.a the Busby Babes would redefine football across the country. And turn the seemingly impossible, into a reality. This is a story of what could have been. A tribute to the Busby Babes.
Building up to the Busby Babes
Despite missing out on the league, Sir Matt never lost his faith in his philosophy, or in his players. This faith was duly rewarded when the Busby Babes won back-to-back English League titles in 1956 and 1957.
The 1956-57 season in fact went down as a special one for all of English football, as Manchester United – despite strong reservations from the FA – became the first English team to compete in the European Championship, with performances that lived up to the hype of famed ‘Busby Babes’. A campaign that included 10-0 thrashing of Anderlecht before overcoming Borussia Dortmund and Athletic Bilbao was however brought to a halt in the semi-final by the would-be champions, Real Madrid. But Europe had just got its first glimpse of what the Busby babes were all about. And winning the 1956-57 English Championship meant they would once again witness this young team take on European powerhouses.
Jimmy Murphy – A hero in the shadows
When you talk about the Busby Babes, and what they achieved, a lot of the credit goes to Sir Matt Busby. And for good reason. One name however that rarely gets its due credit is Jimmy Murphy, Busby’s assistant and first team coach. The man who was not only central to the team’s on-field tactics, but also was part of the club’s scouting system. and even took charge of the club as manager for a brief, but critical period following the Munich Air Disaster in 1958, steering the club to the FA Cup final that year.
During the second world war, Jimmy Murphy was once giving a speech about to a band of troops. A speech that didn’t just impress the troops, but also Matt Busby who was in attendance. So much so that on his appointment as Manchester United manager, he immediately signed Murphy as the head coach and later assistant manager.
A man who preferred working behind the scenes any day over the limelight that comes with a manager’s position. A man who rejected offers from the likes of Juventus and Arsenal to remain at United. Jimmy Murphy who died in 1989 and is till date honoured by the ‘Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year Award’ given to the best player in the club’s youth system. A man who despite the lack of credit he has received, will undoubtedly be a part of United’s illustrious history.
Matt never spoke to me about Munich, but he spoke about Duncan Edwards, David Pegg, Eddie Colman and all the boys who passed away. The one who did speak a lot about it was Jimmy Murphy. Jimmy did a bit of scouting for me when he first came down and he always spoke very openly about the Babes. He always had a tear in his eye by the end of the discussion because he was a very emotional guy.
Sir Alex Ferguson
February 6, 1958 – A day etched in Manchester United history
The 1957-58 season once again saw a young Manchester United stroll through the initial stages of the League, the FA Cup, and of course the European Championship. And only Red Star Belgrade stood between United and a second consecutive place in the European Championship semi-final. Eddie Colman and Bobby Charlton inspired Manchester United to a 2-1 win at Old Trafford, before traveling to Belgrade, Serbia. And a 3-3 draw meant that United had booked a spot in the semi-final, against the mighty AC Milan. Celebrations were rightly in place, as the ‘kids who would never win anything’ were on their way to something spectacular…or so it seemed.
February 6th, 1958, a date no Manchester United fan across the world will ever forget. Flight 609 carrying the team back to Manchester halts at Munich for re-fuelling. Runway conditions look dicey. And a third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway, proves to be too costly for everyone on board.
23 passengers lost their lives as the aircraft skidded off the runway and crashed into the fence surrounding the airport. Among those who lost their lives were 8 journalists, former England and Manchester City goalkeeper Frank Swift, flight crew members, 3 Manchester United support staff members and 8 of Manchester United’s famous Busby Babes – Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor, Liam Whelan and the very very special Duncan Edwards, who survived the crash but lost his life in the hospital 15 days later. Sir Matt Busby survived the crash but remained in a hospital in Munich to recover from his injuries. Among the survivors were Harry Gregg, Bill Foulkes, Kenny Morgans, Albert Scanlon, Dennis Viollet, Ray Wood and Bobby Charlton, along with Johnny Berry and Jackie Blanchflower, both of whom unfortunately would never be able to recover enough from their injuries to play again.
What was meant to be a fairy tale ending suddenly turned into a story of utter tragedy.
The days that followed
There were whispers suggesting Manchester United Football Club would temporarily shut down after losing half its team. An option that the board did consider at the time as well, if rumours are to be believed. But this was a club that was known for going after what most considered impossible. Whether it was coming back from relegation in 1922, or recovering from the brink of bankruptcy in 1927, or witnessing the bombings and destruction of Old Trafford in 1941, this was a club that always found its way forward.
Jimmy Murphy had missed the travel to Belgrade, to manage Wales who played Israel for the 1958 World Cup qualifier. Taking charge of the club at the time of crisis, it was Jimmy Murphy’s resilience and determination that ensured not just the club’s survival, but also its rebuilding and sustained growth in the years to come. Of course, there was also help from not just the fans, but also clubs across England and Europe. Whether it was financial or allowing their players to join Manchester United till the end of the season.
United’s first match in the aftermath of the plane crash was an FA Cup encounter with Sheffield Wednesday. A contest that ended in a 3-0 win for United, despite fielding a team of reserves and youth team players. But one league win for the remainder of the season saw Manchester United finish the season in 9th place. However, a good run of results in the FA Cup meant Manchester United had reached the final of the tournament. Only to lose 2-0 to Bolton Wanderers. Jimmy Murphy’s makeshift Manchester United team even took on AC Milan, managing a 2-1 win against the Italian giants at Old Trafford, before losing 4-0 at the San Siro, and crashing out of the European Championship.
Real Madrid eventually went on the beat AC Milan in the final of the European Championship. But as a tribute, suggested that the trophy be awarded to Manchester United. A suggestion that was backed by Red Star Belgrade, but this eventually failed to materialise.
A tragedy that made friends out of rivals
Tragedy can sometimes have an unmatched ability to bring people together like nothing else can. Manchester United would experience this in the days following the crash, as clubs, fans and others extended their support to the club.
One of the biggest gestures of support came from Real Madrid, who made a memorial pennant carrying the names of the those who lost their lives, called ‘Champions of Honour’. This was sold in Spain to raise money for United. They offered their facilities to the injured and their families of the deceased, for free, and also arranged for a series of fundraising friendly matches to be played between Real Madrid and Manchester United. In addition, Real Madrid even offered Alfredo di Stefano, possibly their most prized asset, to Manchester United till the end of the season, also offering to pay half his wages while he played for United. A move that would have helped United in the big matches that still waited ahead. A move that was eventually blocked by the FA, who believed it would halt the progress of British players.
Questions over the FA?
Looking back, it’s difficult to ignore the impact the FA had on English football in these years. Refusing to acknowledge the European Championship as a legitimate competition. Disallowing Chelsea to participate in the European Championships in 1955. Almost threatening points deduction for Manchester United for participating in the European Championship and therefore not complying to the FA rules and schedules. And later blocking a move for Stefano to play for United are just some of FA’s decisions that I find controversial to say the least.
The road to recovery, rise, and more…
Sir Matt Busby continued to recover in Munich, where he also contemplated retiring at one point, before deciding to return to management and Manchester United. He even recovered in time to make it to watch United play the FA Cup final. His biggest motivation to return as Manchester United’s manager proved to his wife who told him, “You know Matt, the lads would have wanted you to carry on.”
The following season saw Sir Matt return as Manchester United manager. His primary goal? Rebuild Manchester United Football Club. And rebuild the club he did, as Manchester United went on to taste European glory just 10 years later. The first English club to win the European Championship, beating Real Madrid in the semi-final and Benfica in the final with George Best, Bobby Charlton and Brian Kidd finding the back of the net. A fitting tribute to everyone who lost their lives in Munich 10 years ago.
None of us will know what these ‘kids’ would have gone on to achieve. Especially for someone like me who never saw them play. Would they be the special team that would stop Real Madrid from winning European Championships for the third year running? Would Duncan Edwards go on to become the best English player as many had believed? What more could they have done in Europe? We will never know.
Tears, joy, and a humble tribute to the Busby Babes
The footballing world will always remember February 6th, 1958 as a day of tragedy. But it is also a reminder of the talent and courage of a group of footballers who dared to take on the best. The day when Manchester United went out to conquer Europe, and made friends across the world. And a reminder of the day when Manchester United refused to stay down, but fight back. Despite the challenges the club faces on and off the field, it is a reminder of why Manchester United remains a special club even today.
This club has so much history, but that in particular is such an important day. For us, as a club to build together and to build in that spirit.
Harry Maguire
Decades later, this is a tribute to the 23 passengers who lost their lives in a plane crash. Particularly the 8 players who repaid the club with their talent, their skill, their dedication. And eventually, their lives. And even though most of us weren’t around to witness the tragedy and watch the club recover through these dark days, one thing is for certain. Busby Babes… The world remembers.
