On this day in 1958, Manchester United superstar Duncan Edwards succumbed to the injuries that he received in the Munich Air Disaster and tragically lost his life at the age of 21.
Born in Dudley in 1936, Edwards’ prodigious talent with a football was apparent from a very young age. He was invited for a trial with the English Schools’ Football Association Under-14 team after impressing in local school tournaments. He eventually went on to captain the England Schoolboys for two years. Edwards’ rise in stature attracted the attention of Manchester United whose scout Jack O’Brien, reporting back to manager Matt Busby, said “today seen a 12-year-old schoolboy who merits special watching.