Manchester City lay Munich Air Disaster wreath in Germany

Last updated : 27 September 2011 By Daily Mail

City are in Germany for their Champions League encounter with Bayern Munich and paid their respects to the 23 people who died after the plane, carrying the Manchester United team, club officials and journalists back from a European Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade, crashed at the Munich-Reim airport on February 6, 1958.

Paying their respects: Brian Marwood, Brian Kidd, Tony Book and Bernard Hartford (R) lead Manchester City's tributes to the 1958 Munich Air Disaster victims

The delegation including assistant boss Brian Kidd and the club's Football Administrator Brian Marwood and long-serving secretary Bernard Halford laid the wreath at a memorial stone in Munich's Manchesterplatz that marks the scene of the tragic crash.

Former City goalkeeper Frank Swift, covering the game for the News of the World, was among those who lost their lives and the club are keen to pay their respects for 'Manchester's loss'.

United we stand: Manchester City representatives put the club's rivalry with man United to one side at the memorial stone in memory of the 23 victims at the old Munich-Riem airport

Tribute: The memorial stone with the names of the 23 who were tragically killed in the air disaster, including former man City goalkeeper Frank Swift

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson welcomed the gesture.

He said: 'I think it's refreshing. We appreciate that from Manchester City and of course one of their own former players was killed in the crash.

'It shows the game is not as bad as we often think. If that's the case, well done.'

Commemoration: Tony Book (L) and Bernard Hatford (R) lay down the wreath in a moving ceremony

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Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail