Vintage Football Programmes Including Pre-Munich Plane Crash Arsenal v Manchester United, 1st February 1958

Item Description

Two Manchester United football programs, 1966-67 and 1968, autographed. 1966 signed by Alex Stephney, Tony Dunne, John Aston, Nobby Stiles, Bill Foulkes, George Best, Denis Law, David Sadler, Shay Brennan, Bobby Charlton, etc. 1968 World Club Championship signed by George Best x 2, Brian Kidd, Nobby Stiles, etc. To include a Pre-Munich plane crash Arsenal v Manchester United, 1st February 1957-58, etc, along with two press photographs.

A collection of vintage football programmes from the 50s and 60s, including signed copies, is to go under the hammer on Wednesday, 4th February, at our monthly Antiques & Interiors sale. This lot contains a souvenir programme dated to 1st February during the 1957/58 season, which was just days before the notorious Munich plane crash, where 23 people, including eight Manchester United players, tragically lost their lives.

What happened in 1958 to Manchester United?

On 6th February 1958, the football world was shaken by the Munich air disaster. British European Airways Flight 609, carrying the Manchester United team, officials, supporters and journalists home from a European Cup tie in Belgrade, crashed during take-off at Munich-Riem Airport following a refuelling stop. The aircraft failed to take off in heavy wintry conditions, resulting in the deaths of 23 of the 44 people on board, including eight Manchester United players.

Manchester United's squad of young stars - affectionately known as the "Busby Babes" after manager Matt Busby - was at the height of its promise when the disaster struck, having just advanced into the European Cup semi-finals. The tragedy not only devastated the club and its supporters but also resonated across the sport, profoundly affecting English and European football history. The losses were deeply felt and are still commemorated by the football community each year.

This programme represents more than a routine league fixture; it is a poignant piece of football history from the final days before tragedy struck. As a tangible link to the era of the "Busby Babes," it offers collectors and historians an opportunity to preserve and reflect on a pivotal moment in the game's past. Items such as this are valued not for what followed, but for what they quietly represent, the promise, talent and optimism of a remarkable Manchester United side, and the enduring legacy they left on the sport. Preserved with care, it stands as an act of remembrance as much as a work of collectability.

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At RWB Auctions, we recognise that sporting memorabilia carries meaning beyond the object itself. From match-worn shirts and historic programmes to rare tickets, medals, Olympic souvenirs and equipment used in significant competitions, each item reflects a moment in sporting history. Pieces associated with landmark matches, celebrated athletes and major sporting events across football, rugby, cricket, motorsport, tennis, boxing and the Olympic Games continue to be keenly sought after by collectors worldwide. With specialist knowledge and a thoughtful approach to presentation, our team is committed to ensuring that these items are handled with care and positioned to reach an engaged and knowledgeable audience.

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