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Day: 7 February 2015

The Munich Air Disaster Remembered

Written by Will Kelly on . Posted in Sport.

February 6th, 1958 was the darkest day in United’s history. The ‘Busby Babes’ had just defeated Red Star Belgrade on aggregate to set up a European cup semi final clash with AC Milan. Flying back, the team had stopped in Germany to refuel where heavy snow was apparent. The first two attempts to take off from Munich airport were aborted. Following a third attempt,the plane crashed. 23 people, including 8 Manchester United players and 3 members of the clubs staff, suffered fatal injuries. Duncan Edwards, one of the 8 victims of the team- passed away 15 days after the crash. It is particularly upsetting to note that had the technology we have today been around at the time of the crash, Duncan Edwards would have survived.

Roger Byrne (28), Eddie Colman (21), Mark Jones (24), David Pegg (22), Tommy Taylor (26), Geoff Bent (25), Liam Whelan (22) and Duncan Edwards (21) all died, along with club secretary Walter Crickmer, trainer Tom Curry and Bert Whalley.

Eight journalists died- Alf Clarke, Tom Jackson, Don Davies, George Fellows, Archie Ledbrook, Eric Thompson, Henry Rose and Frank Swift, who was a former Manchester City player. Plane captain Ken Rayment perished, as did Sir Matt’s friend Willie Satinoff. Travel agent Bela Miklos and crew member Tom Cable also died.

As you approach Old Trafford, you will immediately notice the Munich clock, where the time has frozen to 4 minutes past 3, the time of the crash. When you venture down the Munich remembrance tunnel, along with the forever glowing candle light there is an inscription that shines out, reflecting the romance that millions of fans around the world share with the club:
“Before the tragedy at Munich, the club belonged to Manchester. But afterwards, Manchester United captured the imagination of the entire world”.

It is impossible to talk about the history of Manchester United without relating to the Munich air disaster. Taking over the reigns of the club on the verge of bankruptcy in 1945, Matt Busby and his assistant Jimmy Murphy embarked on a journey to shape English football. Busby dreamed of younger, fresher legs – players to mould in his image. United would win the league title in 1952 but the team was ageing and it was time for Busby to bring young, homegrown players into his senior squad. Not all of Busby’s players were homegrown “Babes”. Centre forward Tommy Taylor was signed from Barnsley whilst goalkeeper Harry Gregg commanded a world record fee for a goalkeeper at that time. United would run away with the title in 1956 with the average age of the team at just 22. Captain Roger Byrne, known by some as the ‘father of the team’, was 28. “The marks of the nursery cradle were on them, but they did not show”, remarked a proud Matt Busby. It was this team that began to capture the hearts and imaginations of English football with their inspiring forward play. Having won the title in 1956, they were invited to enter a new tournament established by UEFA, the ‘European Cup’. This was a football competition for the champions clubs of UEFA affiliated nations but the English FA were in strong opposition to this, particularly the Football League’s secretary Alan Hardaker. They had banned Chelsea from taking part the season before but Matt Busby defied the league and United became the first English team to play in Europe.

In their first season in Europe, Manchester United would reach the semi final but bowed out to Real Madrid, who had been European champions for 5 successive years between 1956-60. Manchester United were becoming a force to be reckoned with in Europe, and won the league title again in the 1957/8 season to once again embark on their quest for European glory. “You’ve never had it so good” once proclaimed Harold Macmillan about the people of Britain and it was certainly true for the Busby babes. After an initial slump at the start of the 1958/59 season, United had closed the gap at the top of the table to 4 points after a thrilling 4-5 win at Highbury against Arsenal, where one Daily Telegraph respondent reported “The Babes played like infants in paradise”. This would be there last league game together before tragedy struck at Munich after they had secured a semi final clash with AC Milan in the European Cup.
Manchester United had charted the British European Airways plane because as mentioned before, the Football league were not favourable towards United playing in Europe. This meant United had to make it back for their top of the table clash against Wolves or would face a point reduction. An investigation by West German airport authorities had originally blamed plane captain Ken Rayment, saying he did not de-ice the aircraft’s wings, despite eye witness statements claiming he did. 10 years later, Thain was cleared as it was later established that the crash was caused by slush on the runway, which slowed the plane down too much to take off.

Sir Bobby Charlton was pulled from the burning wreckage by Harry Gregg, after being unconscious for quarter of an hour. Bill Foulkes also joined the search with Gregg, as they went in and out of the burning wreckage helping people. Bobby Charlton put his coat around Matt Busby, as he lay in a pool of water seriously injured. People who knew Charlton best, including his brother, say there is irrefutable evidence that he “stopped smiling” and left his sparkle in the wreckage. He would never forget a German patient in the hospital he was admitted to, reading out the names of the dead, “The names of all my pals”. Friends he would go to the dance with at the weekend, friends that would invite him over for dinner at Christmas. “It felt like my life was being taken away, piece by piece.” Matt Busby was critically injured and had to have his death rites read 3 times and Bobby Charlton remarks that Busby probably felt the loss more than anyone else: “He had brought these players together, he had cajoled everyone’s parents to make them sign for Manchester United and then he took them into Europe when he had been told it was against the FA’s wishes”.

Everyone associated with football in England was devastated by the news. Sir Alex Ferguson recounts whilst he was revising for a exam, his friends burst into his room in tears and his football training had to be cancelled because everyone was in shock. On a personal note, my grandad had taught the great Duncan Edwards whilst he was a teacher in the Black Country. He used to put Duncan in charge as he stepped out the classroom because “no one would ever mess with big Duncan”. Still to this day, fans that had the chance to see him in action get emotional. Many claim he was the greatest player they had ever seen at 21, which is quite something considering the likes of Ronaldo and Messi today.

As Matt Busby lay immobile in Munich, he told his assistant Jimmy Murphy (who had missed the trip because of his duties as Wales manager) to “Keep the flag flying, Jimmy”. As Harry Gregg noted in his autobiography, those who could play had to play and it saved his sanity. 13 days after the crash, United faced Sheffield Wednesday in the FA cup in front of an emotionally charged Old Trafford of 59, 848 fans. United’s chairman Harold Hardman left a message on front of the match programme that was simple, yet effective.

“Although we mourn our dead and grieve for our wounded, we believe that great days are not done for us….Manchester United will rise again”.

Perhaps then, just as Matt Busby returned to England when Manchester United reached the FA cup final it was fitting that the clubs badge would be a phoenix rising from the ashes. The frail Busby sat on the bench and watched his team finally run out of steam, losing 2-0. Murphy whilst in charge, proved beyond doubt that United would indeed go on as it was a minor miracle to have reached the FA cup final. In the European Cup semi-final they beat Milan 2-1 at Old Trafford, before a valiant, yet comprehensive 4-0 defeat in the San Siro.

Yet 10 years later, Matt Busby and Jimmy Murphy had rebuilt a team and won the European Cup, captained by survivor Bobby Charlton. Fittingly, the exuberance of local youth- the driving force behind Busby’s dream- played a full part in United winning the European Cup at Wembley, defeating Benfica 4-1 after extra time. This was for them, the ultimate debt to their memory. 50 years later from the Munich Air Disaster, Manchester United would become champions of Europe for a third time in 2008. Manchester United should have won many more European trophies than they have and they would have done had this terrible disaster had not taken place. Almost certainly, Real Madrid would not have dominated European football had the Busby babes been around. Sir Bobby Charlton is also convinced with the quality of English players in the team, England would have won the World Cup a lot sooner than in 1966. Every year, hundreds of fans gather at the memorial to show their respect. The defiant song that is still heard in the stands today echoes around: “We’ll never die, we’ll never die, we’ll keep that red flag flying high, because Man United will never die”.

“Oh England’s finest football team its record truly great, its proud successes mocked by a cruel turn of fate, Eight men will never play again who met destruction there, the Flowers of English football, the Flower of English football, the Flowers of Manchester”. Eric Winter (1958).

Muslim students campaign against Theresa May’s proposed counter-terrorism bill

Written by Anna Phillips on . Posted in News.

Numerous Muslim student societies across the country are campaigning against the Home Secretary’s proposed counter terrorism and security bill.

The bill outlines new anti-terrorism measures to confront what it described as the greatest threat “before or since” the 9/11 attacks, and is said to be seriously restricting free speech.

Part five of the proposed bill includes plans to place a legal duty on educational institutions including universities, schools, NHS Trusts and even nurseries, to implement measures in order to monitor rising radicalism.

Home Secretary Theresa May has criticised the “complacency” of universities, stating that they were not taking the issue of radicalisation seriously enough.

May said: “They need to be prepared to stand up and say that organisations that are extreme or support extremism or have extremist speakers should not be part of their grouping.”

She said that the policy is aimed at helping “prevent people from being drawn into terrorism” and, “where organisations consistently fail, ministers will be able to issue directions to them—which will be enforceable by court order.”

The strategy also believed to have named 25 boroughs most at risk from Islamic extremism, including Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, areas of London and Bradford.

The bill, which stated that university staff will be expected to refer students at risk of being drawn into terrorism into external anti-radicalisation programmes, has been met with various challenges.

MPs and peers have warned that universities should be exempt from this bill, at the risk of restricting academic freedom of speech.

Parliament’s joint human rights committee, which came before the second reading of the bill in January, expressed concern about the implications for freedom of expression.

They said that the legal uncertainty around the term “extremism” will have “seriously inhibiting effect on bona fide academic debate” in universities.

The Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS), has also suggested that “the proposed legislation is both unnecessary and ill-conceived” and calls on the government to “take appropriate steps to ensure that academic freedom remains uncompromised by an efforts to tackle extremism in the UK.”

This bill has increased significance since the Charlie Hebdo shootings in Paris, and in speaking to the Huffington Post UK, Vice-President of FOSIS, Ibrahim Ali, said: “I worry that, in light of recent events in Paris, politicians who would previously have made major amendments to the bill, are now being too hesitant to do so.”

He added: “In an environment where Muslim students already feel like they are under increased surveillance, the measures outlined in this bill will only serve to reinforce those concerns.”

Students across the country are also acting to raise awareness of these restrictions, and FOSIS have taken to twitter with the #studentnotsuspect campaign.

Societies at LSE, UCL, SOAS, Queen Mary’s, Cardiff and Kingston University last month submitted emergency motions to their Students’ Unions urging them to make a stand against the bill.

LSE’s student Islamic Society has been urging supporters to visit www.stopthebill.co.uk to sign a petition which has already gathered over 9000 signatures.

GMP work to prevent Female Genital Mutilation in Manchester communities

Written by Lauren Gorton on . Posted in News.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have taken opportunity of the UN-sponsored International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), held on February 6th, to raise awareness of work being carried out to prevent the practice within the Greater Manchester community.

FGM involves the partial or total removal of the external genitalia or injury to the female genital organs, whether for cultural or any other non-therapeutic reasons, and is prevalent in countries in central and northern Africa and parts of Asia. It is allegedly carried out to safeguard a young woman’s virginity and her family’s honour, and can involve a festival or celebration as part of the ceremony.

GMP have been working over the last 12 months to create greater co-operation between all the agencies involved in dealing with the aftermath of FGM, including Manchester Airport. Further to this, they have been working alongside Manchester schools and members of local health and social care, resulting in a significant increase in the number of cases being referred to GMP over the last year.

Detective Chief Superintendent Vanessa Jardine said: “FGM is child abuse. We have to be clear with those that practice FGM that it is an offence and will not be tolerated.

“Whilst we wish to educate communities to understand the practice and the horrific nature of carrying out the procedure, we also need to stress that abuse of this nature is a very serious offence and will be investigated fully. The position could not be clearer under the UK law.

“As a force we have taken part in a number of awareness raising activities to increase understanding and to support those ‘at risk communities’. It reinforces the position that FGM is illegal and is considered as physical child abuse. This has included work with the airport and UK Border Agency to look for suspicious activity and support potential victims of FGM. By educating passengers there have been a number of referrals across the north of England regarding the practice.

“We are committed to continue our proactive operations at Manchester Airport. Intelligence from affected communities tells us that in the past children have been taken abroad for the purpose of FGM over the summer holidays. Our communities have to understand that the law prevents such practices when done in the UK or equally abroad. Anyone found committing FGM will be held to account.”

DCS Jardine added: “There has been a lot of work take place between organisations such as the Greater Manchester FGM Forum to increase awareness and cooperation between agencies. We are continuing to look into reported cases of FGM and the increase in these is encouraging.”

In the UK, there is a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison for anyone found guilty of the offence. Taking someone overseas is still a crime in the UK if the mutilation is done by a UK national or permanent UK resident. It is also a crime if a UK national or permanent resident assists or gets a non-UK national or permanent resident to carry out the acts overseas on a UK national or permanent resident.

For full guidelines on FGM and the law, visit the Home Office website. Anyone with concerns is asked to contact a teacher or doctor, and police on 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or the FGM Helpline on 0800 028 3550.