The following poem is reproduced with the kind permission of United fan Gerry McCollum
This is a poem I wrote at the 50th Anniversary. It is also based around my late son’s (only child) life and love of united. It would take forever to tell all Christopher’s story etc so I hope the poem will help set the scene and why the poem is dedicated to the Memory of the Busby Babes .
Chris was born in 1984. At 5 he was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy a life limiting disability. His whole life revolved around United until he passed away in 2001 2 weeks short of his 17th birthday.
As the poem says thanks first to Lee Sharpe who we met in Belfast and then Jimmy Curran. He had a magical last 5 years……met Becks 4 times etc. He was so lucky. Jimmy if you don’t know was Eric Harrison’s right hand man in the Class of 92. Sir Alex brought him into first team about 95/96.
As I said I started to support United right after Munich. So many times I have always wondered if Munich had never happened I may have supported another team and Chris then would never have had the great times he had with United. While of course we would have hoped it never happened but sadly it did. So for me I always felt out of all what happened years later a young boy especially with a life limiting disability enjoyed many memories many can only dream of.
I hope the poem brings all that across and that the Busby Babes and their memory became even more special for us. .
The photos are Chris with George Best in August 2000 at The Midland and Old Tom (well known United fan) with Keith Norris unveiling the Wee Lily flag at Christopher’s headstone
Remembering Munich
If here, I know what Chris would say
That Munich crash was an awful day
I know I told him about that team
And to every fan, just what they mean
I was only six but I knew even then
I wanted this team to rise up again
I supported United from that day on
In memory of the players who had gone
Sir Matt got better it was great to see
His new team won an FA Cup in ‘63
He put George in the team, the very next year
Once again, he had a team for everyone to fear
League titles were won in ’65 and ‘67
Just like the players who had gone to heaven
Just one thing for this new team to do
Win a European Cup in memory of you
Then 10 years after that fateful day
A European Cup was won in May
For Sir Matt, every player played his part
And the Busby Babes were in all our hearts
Some cups were won as the years moved on
In ’86 a new manager came, called Alex Ferguson
In 1990 he won his first cup that May
Chris, the same age I was, on that Munich day
United became such a really great team
To see them play was Christopher’s dream
His life though changed in every way
Now dependent on a wheelchair, every day
Lee Sharpe helped Christopher get his wish
Chris saw United play at OT in 1996
And thanks to Jimmy Curran he met all the team
Jimmy made Chris’ last five years feel like a dream
Signed cards, balls and posters came all the time
Telling Christopher the players hoped he was fine
Then Jimmy and Sir Alex said it would be ok
And Chris was taken to Carrington for a magical day
After Christopher died in 2001
We thanked everyone for all they had done
There are still some people sadly not here
We now know to remember in this 50th year
We know what it means to lose someone dear
And how you still want your son to be here
Some things though can help ease your pain
If you can see your son did not die in vain
After 50 years their lives still live on
I supported United from the day they were gone
The support to Chris may never have been
If not for the Busby Babes, we remember that great team
.
Just beaitiful Gerry ❤❤🙏🙏
Thanks Patrick. Again thanks for wanting to post. Special to have it on the MMMF Website
Fantastic ! Great story told with such emotion !
Keith.
Many thanks for your lovely comment and how the Poem told the story
Gerry
A great tribute to the team but , far , far more important a great tribute to your late son .
Many thanks for sharing
Des. Many thanks for your very kind thoughts both on the team, Christopher and the poem
As you say both played an important part in my life and the team so important to all United fans.
Gerry
Gerry Hi, what a amazing tribute to your son and our football team.Slainte
Hi Michael
Have only just seen your very kind comment. Was a really nice surprise and means a lot as just after this years anniversary. So thanks so much. Obviously not the same this year but was lovely to still see the service and also all the Big Lily/ Wee Lily flags in the Stretford End of each player.
Gerry