In the world of football, Manchester City and Manchester United are rivals, but in the face of life, they show unity and warmth that transcends competition. On the 67th anniversary of the Munich air crash, Manchester City officially issued a memorial, allowing this dusty history to reappear and allowing people to see the cohesion of the city of Manchester.
The tragedy of the air crash: a ruthless turn of fate
February 6, 1958, was the darkest moment in Manchester and even the world of football. British European Airways Flight 609, carrying Manchester United players, staff and reporters, struggled to take off in the ice and snow of Munich and eventually crashed. The “Busby children” on the plane had dreams, but suffered such a disaster. Manchester City legend and former England goalkeeper Frank Swift also died in the disaster. He had guarded the goal for 16 years in a Manchester City jersey and made more than 500 appearances. This air crash shocked the world, and Manchester fell into endless grief.
City partners: Overcoming the dark moment
Manchester City and Manchester United put aside their competition in the face of disaster. Manchester City chairman Alan Douglas quickly spoke out to express his sympathy and willingness to help. Goalkeeper Bert Trautman and captain Dave Ewing also expressed their support. Although Manchester City players were affected by the air crash and lost the game due to poor condition, they organized a fundraiser for the disaster fund when they played against Birmingham at home. Wearing Manchester City jerseys, they interpreted the friendship between neighbors with their actions. Manchester United also stood firm in the pain and worked hard to rebuild the team.
Road to Rebirth: The Rise of the Red Devils
Manchester United, which survived the disaster, started to rebuild under the leadership of Matt Busby. Players such as Bobby Charlton returned to the field after recovering from injuries and continued their careers. In just five years, Busby led the team to win the FA Cup final, and Manchester United’s glory began. At that time, the streets were full of cheering fans wearing Manchester United jerseys, and Manchester City fans also cheered for the rebirth of their rivals in the same city. They witnessed Manchester United standing up from the ruins and moving towards a new peak.
Eternal remembrance: the inheritance of warmth in the derby
For many years, the competition between Manchester City and Manchester United has never stopped, but at special moments, they can always show unity. On February 6, 2008, at the Manchester derby on the 50th anniversary of the Munich air crash, the whole stadium was in silence. 3,000 Manchester City fans raised their scarves together with Manchester United fans, and Old Trafford was silent. Whether wearing Manchester City jerseys or Manchester United jerseys, they all remembered that painful history at this moment and inherited the spirit of this city.
Manchester City and Manchester United, two teams, two colors of soccer jerseys, but they belong to the same city. Although 67 years have passed since the Munich air crash, the pain and warmth it left behind will always be engraved in Manchester’s memory, and people can also see that behind the competition is the city’s deep humanistic care and spirit of solidarity.