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'Another forgotten corner of Manchester United's incredible history receives the Wayne Barton treatment.' - Matt Barlow, Football Writer for the Daily Mail
'Wayne Barton's knowledge on Manchester United is unparalleled' - The Mirror
THIS COMPELLING AND MOVING STORY OF MANCHESTER UNITED'S REJUVENATION AFTER THE MUNICH AIR CRASH REVISITS AN ERA THAT IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE CLUB'S PLACE IN THE MODERN GAME.
The 1958 Munich Air Crash that ripped the heart from one of Britain's greatest ever teams. In this book, Wayne Barton, author of 20 Manchester United titles, has produced a forensic account of how those post-tragedy years forged the character of one of the world's biggest clubs.
Barton focuses on the five years immediately after the tragedy, how the shattered ambitions of the club were revived and rejuvenated by recovering manager Matt Busby and his assistant Murphy. The engrossing story is told through in-depth research and exclusive interviews with many players from the era. They include Harry Gregg, Jackie Blanchflower, Bill Foulkes and Albert Scanlon, who all survived the crash; Albert Quixall, David Herd, Pat Crerand, Wilf McGuinness and others who became stars of the rebuilt team; and supporters and back room staff who witnessed an extraordinary period at the club.
The scars of that fateful night will never fade, but in its aftermath a spirit of resolve, a belief in homegrown players and a never-say-die attitude developed and became essential elements of Manchester United's DNA.
Contents
Prologue, 1961
1. The final days of Paradise
2. 'If this is death . . .' - 6 February, 1958
3. Half-mast - 19 February,1958
4. Rechts der Isar
5. The Phoenix
6. The Young Boys
7. Moving On
8. Bernabéu
9. Alex, Mark, Albert and Kenny
10. Harry
11. An Italian - and Spanish - Job
12. Standing on the shoulders of giants
13. Worth his weight in gold
14. The Big Freeze
15. Glory - 25 May, 1963
16. Competing
17. Kings
Acknowledgements
Bibliography
Index
