The Day a Team Died

Written by the only journalist aboard the plane to survive the disaster, The Day a Team Died is the definitive, firsthand account of the crash that killed eight members of one of the greatest Manchester United teams in history. On February 6, 1958, a plane carrying the so-called Busby Babes—named for manager Matt Busby—attempted to take off from a slush-covered runway in Munich following a European Cup match; the plane failed to lift off, careened off the runway, and crashed into a nearby house, killing 23 passengers. In this retelling of the harrowing experience, Frank Taylor recalls the events leading up to the disaster, the moment of the crash, and its appalling aftermath, as well as the flowering of this youthful, talented team and its rebuilding following the tragedy. Essential reading for all soccer fans, this compelling, eyewitness account features recollections from players who survived—including the revered Duncan Edwards who died 15 days after the crash—as well as exclusive photographs from the scene.