A smiling Sir Bobby Charlton was greeted by cheers from the crowds when he arrived in Dudley for an event celebrating the life and career of former teammate Duncan Edwards.
The former Manchester United legend was the guest of honour as hundreds packed the Market Place to hear him speak fondly of Edwards who died following the Munich air crash 50 years ago.
He recalled an earlier visit to the town for the unveiling of the Duncan Edwards statue in 1999. He returned to Dudley in 2003 to join mourners at the funeral of Duncan’s mother Sarah Ann Edwards. Dressed in a blue blazer the star walked out on to the stage to the tune of ‘Football’s Coming Home’ and said how pleased he was to be invited to the celebration on Saturday.
“Everybody is so proud of Duncan Edwards, he was the best footballer I ever played with and a fantastic lad,” he said.
“He looked after me when I was very young. Unfortunately when he died they threw the mould away.
“He was an unbelievable player with great talent and he never stopped talking about Dudley, he said it was the greatest place in the world.”
As part of the celebrations a football tournament was held at Castle High School and players wore specially produced commemorative shirts.
Sir Bobby presented medals to the young lads from the Duncan Edwards Junior Football Club, Castle Cobras and Priory Rangers and Halas Hawks who had taken part in a tournament at Castle High School.
The tournament was organised by Charlie Honeyman, chairman of the Duncan Edwards Junior Football Club. A special Manchester Utd shirt, which had a picture of Edwards on the front, was also presented to the club and accepted by 15-year-old Tom Honeyman.
Rounding off the proceedings a bouquet was presented to Sir Bobby’s wife Norma.
The event followed a service of remembrance held on February 21, the actual date of Edwards’s death.
Share this article:
What are these?