February 6 marks the 60th anniversary of the tragic Munich air disaster, a day that continues to resonate deeply across the football world. Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool paid heartfelt tributes on their official social media accounts, honoring the memory of those who lost their lives in the 1958 tragedy. For BD Cricket readers who value the historical significance of sports, this moment of collective remembrance highlights how football transcends rivalries in times of grief.
Arsenal shared a poignant black-and-white photo of Manchester United legend Duncan Edwards playing at Highbury Stadium, just five days before the crash. The post read, “February 1, 1958 – Duncan Edwards at Highbury. Five days before the Munich Air Disaster. 60 years, never forgotten. #FlowersOfManchester.” Liverpool echoed this sentiment with a post that read, “Our hearts are with everyone affected by the Munich air disaster. 60 years, never forgotten.”
Both Manchester City and Manchester United changed their official profile pictures to display the time of the crash, a solemn act of solidarity. Serbian club Red Star Belgrade also joined the tributes, posting condolences to the victims. It was against Red Star that United played their final match before the tragedy struck—a European Cup fixture that became the final chapter for several players aboard the ill-fated flight.
Manchester City Chief Operating Officer Omar Berrada and club ambassador Mike Summerbee were present at the commemorative ceremony held at Old Trafford, standing side-by-side with their local rivals. The joint participation of both clubs underscores how the football community can come together to honor shared history, especially when the memory carries emotional weight across generations.
Other football institutions, including clubs like Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, as well as FIFA, also posted messages of remembrance, reaffirming that the legacy of those lost continues to inspire respect and unity throughout the sport.
BD Cricket fans familiar with memorial traditions in their own cricketing world will appreciate the reverence shown in football circles. It’s a reminder that while games are won and lost, the memories of those who paved the way live on. And on days like these, BD Cricket followers join fans worldwide in saying: gone but never forgotten.