Looking Back - Air Disaster, Royal Death and Golf

There have been some memorable past events associated with 6th February. The following three stories have been selected for inclusion in this article.

1958 United players killed in air disaster

A snowy afternoon in Munich in 1958 was the scene of one of sports greatest tragedies. Manchester United footballers, known as the Busby Babes', were on their way home, having beaten Red Star Belgrade the previous day, in the European Cup. The British European Airways plane stopped to refuel at Munich's Reim Airport. On the third attempt to take off again the plane over-shot the runway, hit a house with it's port wing, veered to the right, hit another building and burst into flames.
Seven players were killed in the crash including: Roger Byrne (capt), Mark Jones, Eddie Colman, Tommy Taylor, Liam Whelan, David Pegg and Geoff Bent. Eight British sports journalists along with several club officials were also killed. Among the most seriously injured were Matt Busby (Manager) and Duncan Edwards (outstanding player). Edwards finally lost his fight for life when he died in hospital 15 days later.Messages of condolences were sent by the Queen, in which she said she was "deeply shocked", to the Lord Mayor of Manchester and Minister of transport for Civil Aviation. United's opponents, Red Star Belgrade, suggested they be made honorary champions in the 1958 European Cup. A decade later Manchester United became the first English club to win the European Cup.

1952 King George V1 dies in his sleep

On 6th February 1952, His Majesty, King George V1, father of the present Queen, died peacefully in his sleep at Sandringham House. He was 56 and was known to have been suffering from a worsening lung condition. The official announcement from Sandringham, said the King retired in his usual health, but passed away in his sleep and was found dead in bed at 7.30 a.m. by a servant. As the news of the King's death spread, all cinemas and theatres closed, and BBC programmes were cancelled, except for news bulletins. Flags in every town were at half-mast and sports fixtures were cancelled. He had not expected to become King but was catapulted onto the throne by the abdication of his brother Edward V111.

1971 Man plays golf on the moon

On this day in 1971 Alan Shepard became the first man to hit a golf ball on the moon. It was a light hearted moment following the end of a day's moonwalk. He had smuggled the ball and golf club head on board, inside his space suit.