6 - Duncan to be remembered on 50th anniversary

 

Manchester United Football Club will be represented along with family members of Duncan at the ceremony which will be held at Duncan’s statue in Market Place from 11am.

 

Duncan Edwards died on February 21 1958 of injuries sustained in the Munich Air Disaster 15 days earlier. The short service to mark the occasion will be led by the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor David Stanley and Rev Geoff Johnston from St Francis’ Church, Laurel Road, which was Duncan’s parish church.

 

The service will include an address from Rev Johnston, hymns, a bible reading, wreath layings and a minute’s applause to celebrate the life of Duncan Edwards.

 

The former Manchester United and England star was one of 23 people to die following the Munich Air Disaster on February 6 1958. Duncan was one of eight Manchester United players to lose their lives in the accident.

 

Duncan was born in Dudley on October 1 1936 and throughout his short life spoke of his pride at being an ambassador for the town wherever his football career took him.

“I am sure many people will come along to pay their respects to a true Dudley legend who achieved so much during his tragically short life. Duncan will always be remembered by people in Dudley as well as those further afield across the country and indeed the world.”

Meanwhile Councillor Stanley opened a new exhibition in honour of Edwards last month. The exhibition at Dudley Museum and Art Gallery, includes photos, press cuttings from the time, his sports shirts and England caps.

The exhibition ‘Duncan Edwards 50 Years On’ runs until 24 May and is the forerunner to a dedicated display space which will be opened in May.  This will be a purpose built gallery to house the museum’s extensive collection of Edwards’ memorabilia.

A further event to commemorate Duncan’s life is planned to take place in Dudley on Saturday June 7. Details of the event will be released closer to the time but will include a football tournament which will be held at Castle High School.

During his short, but illustrious career between 1952 and 1958, Edwards made 175 appearances for United, scoring 21 goals and winning two league championships. He also won 18 England caps.