Looking back, looking forward

This is the fiftieth anniversary, to the day, of the Munich air disaster that killed eight Manchester United players and fifteen other people (club staff, journalists, crew) on 6 February 1958 - five weeks before I was born. I have already made comment on how it shaped the perceptions of a generation, and I have written pieces on overlapping but different aspects of the tragedy for my upcoming Exeter City (12 February) and Dumbarton (16 February) programme columns. I will not add more at this juncture, other than to say that the memorials were moving, and that I have featured some less-known stories of those involved: the Scot Alex Dawson and the adopted Devonian Bato Tomasevic. This evening I watched the BBC1 documentary about goalkeeper Harry Gregg, who not only survived but helped others out of the wreckage. A remarkable man, not least for his refusal of plaudits and resolute determination. Tribute enough.

Munich remembered

The shocking Munich air disaster which took the lives of seven of Matt Busby's iconic Manchester United team (and many more) on 6 February 1958, happened just weeks before I was born and indissolubly shaped my earliest footballing memories. Indeed my first true 'night of passion' with the game was United's European Cup Final victory over Benfica ten years later. The following year my early dalliance with Man U, who in those days were loved or respected rather than despised or hated, gave way to a life-long love for mighty Dumbarton. But the Munich tragedy was etched into my psyche, the necessary shadow on the joy of the Beautiful Game - an event that puts sporting endeavour in true human perspective. There's a web book of tribute on Munich58.co.uk, profiles of the Busby Babes, a Guardian feature on the disaster, and much more online. A time to remember, undoubtedly. I really hope that the Manchester derby next week can put tribalism aside in honour of both the living and the dead of 1958.