Fans United in praise over celebration of football legend Duncan Edwards

A statue which stands in his honour has been given new prominence in the heart of the historic Dudley market place.

It has been moved across the market place to the Castle Street side which is overlooked by Dudley Castle as part of a £6 million market revamp.

A re-dedication ceremony and service is being held for the statue on October 1 in the town centre.

Brian Mulholland of the Manchester United Supporters' Club said the occasion would be fitting for the legacy of the footballing legend.

"The service will be a very special day in commemorating a football genius, who, had he lived, would most definitely have been hailed as one of the greatest footballers of all time," he said.

"Sincere thanks go to Dudley Council for all their hard work in organising this magnificent honour.

"On a personal level, myself and two friends, together with our wives, travel to Munich every February to attend a memorial service for the Busby Babes.

"We are glad, as are my family and friends, that the memory of Duncan Edwards has been revered in this marvellous way."

The gathering will take place from 10.45am, on what would have been the former Manchester United and England star's 79th birthday, to mark the relocation of his iconic statue.

Mixing both commemoration of Duncan's achievements and celebration of today's talent, the service will kick off with a delegation of Edwards' relatives departing from the nearby Council House.

The proceedings will start with music from performers who will make way for an exhibition of footballing skills, set to music, by freestyler Colin Neil.

The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Steve Waltho, will then do a welcoming address before Rev Andrew Wickens of Top Church in Dudley leads a floral tribute and two minutes of silence.

The service will conclude with another exhibition by Mr Neil.

Duncan Edwards, who grew up on the Priory estate in Dudley, was among a group of rising young Manchester United players in the late 1950s, named The Busby Babes.

He was among the players and staff involved in the Munich disaster in February 1958 when the aeroplane that was carrying them from a match crashed. He died days after the crash aged just 21.