Special service is tribute to Duncan

More than one thousand people bought Dudley to a standstill today as they paid tribute to borough-born footballing legend Duncan Edwards.

Organised by Dudley Council, the service at the Duncan Edwards statue in the town centre was billed as a celebration of the life of the Manchester United and England star, exactly 50 years to the date of Edwards’ death.

The towering centre back was one of 23 people, including eight of the famous Busby Babes team, who lost their lives as a result of the Munich air crash on February 6, 1958.

Mayor of Dudley councillor David Stanley and Rev Geoff Johnston, pastor at Edwards’ parish church St Francis’ in Laurel Road, kicked off proceedings by leading a rousing rendition of traditional football anthem Abide With Me. 

Long-standing Manchester United director Maurice Watkins represented the club at the event, laying a wreath along with other dignitaries.

He said: “It was a wonderful service and a suitably special occasion for someone who was such a special player.

“He obviously means so much to the people of Dudley as well as the people of Old Trafford. He was arguably our greatest ever player and I’ll always remember what Bobby Charlton said about Duncan being the only player who ever made him feel inferior. I saw him play in the youth team and the first team and he was not a player you would forget in a hurry.” 

Rev Johnston gave a bible reading in praise of the gifts of famous men, before the ceremony was bought to a close with an uplifting minute’s applause.

Edwards, a victim of the Munich air disaster on February 6, 1958, died in hospital 15 days later. The footballer was born in Dudley in 1936 and throughout his life spoke of his pride at being an ambassador for the town.

Meanwhile, fascinating anecdotes about footballing hero Duncan Edwards were today unveiled as part of a new book produced by his local church.

Rev Geoff Johnston, pastor at Edwards’ parish church St Francis’ in Laurel Road, helped compile a series of memories of the legendary centre back’s tragically short life. All the stories illustrate the difference between Duncan’s era and that of modern day footballers,” he said.

“It talks about how he had to dubbin his boots after every game and only got paid £15 a week. Another person who contributed to the book spoke of a time he bunked off school at lunchtime to go and play snooker, but got back late. The whole group were going to be caned for it, but then the headteacher noticed Duncan was in the group and they only got a telling off in the end.

A new booklet produced by St Francis’s Church in memory of Edwards will be available by post as well as at today’s service. It costs £4 and 50p for postage if delivered.