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England Busby Babe Tribute Toned Down

Premier League Manchester United
by remember_the_66 (U4116445) 16 January 2008
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Whether or not football fans are for or against a minute's silence, it should be observed with honour, and quite obviously, with silence.

When a current footballer or ex-player or manager passes away, in England, a minute's silence is staged. Sometimes, a minute's applause takes place, but that is a tradition that is more widely held across Europe and north of the border.

February 6th 1958 is a date that is etched in the history of Manchester United Football Club. It is not to be remembered like another date, May 26th 1999 - when United won the treble - but more depressingly, as it was the day that 23 of the 44 passengers on the plane from Munich crashed while trying to take off for the third time.

The passengers were made up of footballers, supporters and journalists, eight players died, including promising youngster Duncan Edwards, who was tipped for greater things.

The club have been preparing a number of events to mark the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster, and the Manchester derby next month will be particularly poignant as United - with support from their sponsors Nike and AIG - will take to the field with nothing on their shirts.

On the exact date - February 6th - England play Switzerland at Wembley in a friendly game. The match could mark former Manchester United favourite David Beckham's 100th England cap, and the ex-England captain would certainly love to pay tribute to those that died on that fateful day.

After much deliberation, the FA have decided not to mark the anniversary with a minute's silence, with fears that it will be ruined by some sections of the supporters. A minute's applause was also rejected, due to the same reason.

When a football supporter is asked why they like football, they can come up with a million reasons. One of them would be that football is more than a sport and it brings people together when they are in need.

Now, the FA were right to reject a minute's silence on the grounds that some fans will ruin it. The sad thing about it is, the FA are right. Many of the fans who turn up at Wembley next month won't be Manchester United supporters. There'll be a huge number of fans that dislike the club. But most of them would happily pay their respects to those that died 50 years ago.

It is just a shame that there are a few idiots out there who would most certainly ruin proceedings that not only is a tribute to the players that died, but also to the crew, supporters and journalists that had their lives taken.

If the FA change their mind and the minute's silence takes place at Wembley next month, and is booed by some fans, maybe those supporters should take a minute to understand that one of the players that lost his life was 21-year-old Duncan Edwards. A player that was said to possess the talent that would enable him to star in the England team for years. And maybe those ungrateful yobs wearing the Three Lions on their shirt might have more than one star above the crest.

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comment by Rob Earnshaws' left boot© (U3224109)

posted Jan 31, 2008

comment by Il Capitano
"Do United plan to sell a version of this 'Special replica kit'?"

Probably, Manchester United are anal enough to do it.

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comment by nickjames1975 (U9476772)

posted Jan 31, 2008

Secondly, well done again FA for scheduling a pointless England friendly on the 6th Feb.
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Oh I see. You now want to FA to consult Whiskey Nose Fergie on when he would like England fixtures to be played as well as Utd games? He looked just like Brian Clough on TV last night with that Rudolph effort! He'll be buying a nice green sweatshirt next.

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comment by iggyredfan (U10961496)

posted Feb 1, 2008

my thoughts...
just joined 606 to comment on this thread.I live in oz, migrated in '65 as 10 pound tourists with family, born in Flixton and returned many times since for hols,long time Utd. fan,saw them play(and beat), maradonnas Barca in a home leg EC game, saw Bobby C put the ball into the press box from the penalty spot in a game in Brisbane, got Georgies autograph when he came to Queensland to finish his carrer...point is, I am nearing a time when I can not understand what all the confusion is about. Sport fans(!!!) are being invited to show respect for those of ours who are no longer with us (in this case through tragic and violent circumstances)It doesn't matter what date it falls on or who happens to be playing whom,who you support or any number of other pathetic reasons why some fool would want to disrupt this occasion, it's all about acknowledging somebody asking that a little respect is shown when asked for. The morons who would disrupt this or any similar occasion are the same ones who would lean over the fence at a closed funeral and expect some ridiculous applause for their "witty,funny,...", objectionable intrusion.
I agree completely with born_again, plaster these idiots visage far and wide and belt the prats every time you see them,it will be the only thing they are dumb enough to relate to!

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comment by iggyredfan (U10961496)

posted Feb 1, 2008

and another thing, on such a day we are lead to believe that a meaningless freindly can not find room for a 99 cap servant of England and United??

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comment by iggyredfan (U10961496)

posted Feb 1, 2008

KirkNL,You don't have to "feel connected to it"
You are simply being asked to spare 1 minute of your pathetic little life to remember some people who don't have 1 minute to give us anymore, don't matter that they're reds, englishmen,n@%$#@&,commies,city fans,.... they are DEAD and we are paying respect to the dead!!

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comment by remember_the_66 (U4116445)

posted Feb 1, 2008

anaconda6901: "Personally i'm travelling upto the match from London with two of my boys. We'll have knuckle dusters and have the closest seats to the away end. If anything kicks off the City fans will get their boats rocked."

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It's idiotic comments/acts like these that further fuel other idiotic fans to do things like boo rival national anthems and silences.

Andy Dunn from the News of the World suggested a great thing to do.

He suggested that during the minute, Sky use a few of their gazillion cameras to zoom in on the few thousand City fans and then capture those who boo during the minute.

He said that Sky should send the stills to the NOTW and they will blow them up and publish the pictures to name and shame the morons.

Can't say fairer than that.

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comment by Sweet Lady (U7683046)

posted Feb 5, 2008

I personally prefer a minutes applause because that is a celebratory action most appropriate when remembering a life.The Busby Babes are immortal and rightly should always hold a place in all football loving hearts.Requiescat in Pace.

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comment by redshirt7 (U1904069)

posted Feb 5, 2008

Mixstar: Probably, Manchester United are anal enough to do it.


Dont worry about it mate. You'd never be fit to wear it!

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comment by fair teh middlin' (U3566423)

posted Feb 6, 2008

"KirkNL,You don't have to "feel connected to it"
You are simply being asked to spare 1 minute of your pathetic little life to remember some people who don't have 1 minute to give us anymore, don't matter that they're reds, englishmen,n@%$#@&,commies,city fans,.... they are DEAD and we are paying respect to the dead!!"

grrr... :D

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comment by yorker_129-7 (Run Out (Sub (Pratt))) (U1601085)

posted Feb 6, 2008

Secondly, well done again FA for scheduling a pointless England friendly on the 6th Feb.
------------------------

Oh I see. You now want to FA to consult Whiskey Nose Fergie on when he would like England fixtures to be played as well as Utd games? He looked just like Brian Clough on TV last night with that Rudolph effort! He'll be buying a nice green sweatshirt next.

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Imagine the hoo-ha if England played a friendly on the anniversary of Hillsborough

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