The following article is reproduced with the kind permission of Pete Lewis from Manchester United Supporters Club Swansea Branch. You can visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Organization/MUSC-Swansea-Branch-167130043410300/
February 6th 2020 – 62 years on from the devastating disaster that changed the football club we love forever.
Every year at this time Manchester united fans worldwide contemplate what might have been and in their own ways pay respect to the 23 victims lost on that fateful day in Munich.
This year however we decided to travel to the memorial site ,something I should’ve done years ago but for some reason never have. A short effortless train ride from the city centre brought us to the Moosfeld area where a 15min stroll through the quiet village and surroundings brought us to ManchesterPlatz a small area where the old runway used to end, the street sign hangs above a memorial plaque adorned with the names of the 23 victims taken by the tragedy, a perfect place for reflection and remembrance for the great Busby Babes.
It was around 12pm and people were starting to congregate around the surrounding area. Flags were hung all around and in true United tradition the one and only tavern started ringing to the tunes of old Trafford. No SkyTV, players egos or talk of the Glazers, just good old songs sung by like minded supporters ,old fashioned football the way the Babes would have recognised and remembered. The way it should be. Football was much simpler then.
The welcome in the bar was emotional, the staff respectful. There is even a florist opposite for those that wanted to pay floral tributes.
We left around 2pm and witnessed the laying of a foundation stone that will house a memorabilia showcase for fans tributes and personal items that are left at the site. This has been organised by the Red Docs (a Bayern Munich supporters club founded by staff from the local hospital) and fully endorsed by the Munich Council.
Karl Heinz Rummenigge &Uli Hoeness showed their respects with short emotional speeches together with Andrew Cole, United’s club representative.
The MMMF’s main aim is to ensure that the legacy of Sir Matt and his team will never be forgotten. They do this by helping young people in Manchester, Munich and Belgrade.
A young united supporter read out the names of ones that were lost followed by an impeccable 2 min silence ending with a chorus of The Red Flag.
The respect shown by Bayern Munich and its supporters was humbling and heartfelt. Andy Cole was visibly touched and a great ambassador, I wouldn’t have wanted to have been anywhere else. A perfect tribute to the Babes.
We returned to the bar and eventually said farewell to new found friendships and returned into the city from a place that can only be described as forever Manchester.
There was around 400 in attendance made up of mostly United fans, Bayern fans and a few locals. A solitary City supporter travelled to remember big Swifty – a nice touch and respect to him.
The average age was between 45 and 70 with only a few youngsters present.
just a thought but when you’re pondering over buying your kids/grandchildren next year’s birthday/Xmas presents why not consider a family outing to Munich? Around the cost of an iPhone, Xbox or Playstation, they’ll be bored of them in weeks.
This trip will stay with them forever and help preserve the memory of those we lost and instill in them the significance and importance of Sir Matt and United’s early history as European pioneers.
Hats off to everyone who travelled. Bayern Munich supporters & officials and the tireless efforts of the MMMF. Faith truly put back into our support and roll on for the next time I visit.
Lest we forget the Busby Babes, Manchester united will never die.
Thanks to my wife, Louise who made all this happen with the best Christmas present ever,
Respect,
Pete.