This Day in History: 2022-11-03

Nr. 336

DUNCAN EDWARDS DIES (1958)

Fifteen days after the Munich air disaster Manchester was plunged into further grief with the news that Duncan Edwards had lost his battle to live. Since the crash Edwards, who it was understood would never play football again, had been close to death, but kept alive by a kidney machine. But on 21 February 1958 he passed away aged only 21. Says Paul Hince, then a 13-year old schoolboy, who would later play for Manchester City and write for the Manchester Evening News, «It was hard to accept the news of Duncan’s death… he was like Superman or Hercules.»

Edward’s tragic death deprived England of its most promising football talent. At only 21 he already had 18 caps and 5 goals for his country.