Harry Gregg, considered one of the heroes of the Munich air disaster that decimated the Manchester United team in 1958, has died at the age of 87, the foundation that bears his name announced on Monday.
A former United goalkeeper, Gregg rescued several people, including a baby and teammates Bobby Charlton and Jackie Blanchflower, from the wreckage of the plane that transported the team on February 6, 1958.
“It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of the legend of Manchester United and Northern Ireland Harry Gregg”, wrote his foundation on his facebook page. “Harry died peacefully in the hospital surrounded by his family.”
Record transfer at 23,500 pounds
Gregg joined United in December 1957 for 23,500 pounds, which was the most expensive transfer in history for a goalkeeper at the time, and was then voted best goalkeeper at the 1958 World Cup.
Erected as a hero by Alex Ferguson himself, Gregg humbly spoke of the courage he had shown during the accident. “I would be lying if I said that I think about it all the time. In fact, I would go crazy, “he said in 2018 before a tribute ceremony commemorating the 60th anniversary of the drama.
“I know the media would like to talk about what happened on the track. I don’t hold it against people for that. But if all that I did, or all that I accomplished, is what happened in Germany, in Munich, if my life amounted to that, then I would not have accomplished great thing, “he said.
Bobby Charlton, the last survivor
The accident occurred on February 6, 1958 while the team was returning from a European Cup match in Belgrade. After a stopover in Munich, the plane crashed during takeoff in terrible weather conditions. Eight young players on the team, who had just won two consecutive championship titles, died in the disaster, while coach Matt Busby was seriously injured.
The crash is forever etched in the history of the club, which ended up recovering until winning the European Cup of champion clubs ten years later, in 1968 in Wembley, without Gregg, transferred to Stoke City late 1966.
Twenty-three people in total died in the accident. Bobby Charlton is now the last remaining survivor.
Created: 02.17.2020, 10:10
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