Season 1957/58
original illustrations of the kits worn during the season



 
The Season in brief

On February 6th the plane carrying the United party home from Belgrade crashed at Munich Airport. Twenty three people were killed including eight of the Babes; Roger Byrne, Geoff Bent, Eddie Colman, Duncan Edwards, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Liam Whelan). The fatalities included Walter Crickmer, Tom Curry and Bert Whalley. Jackie Blanchflower and Johnny Berry later retired because of their injuries.

Visit munich58.co.uk for more information.

Jimmy Murphy took over and brought in Stan Crowther and Ernie Taylor. Together with Munich survivors Bill Foulkes and Harry Gregg, the side was filled with young reserves and players from the 'A' team. On a wave of emotion United's patched up side reached the F.A. Cup Final. Dennis Viollet and Bobby Charlton, who had both survived the crash, were in the Wembley side. United never posed a real threat and were beaten 2-0 by Bolton Wanderers. THe club, who had been third in the League at the time of the disaster, eventually finished eighth.

United's home kit remained unchanged, with new white shorts with a red stripe worn mainly but not exclusively in European games. As a change kit the club adopted the all white kit with red trim worn in the 1957 Cup Final.

Contrary to the popular opinion, the Cup Final badge is not a representation of a phoenix rising from the flames. The badge is part of a design granted to the City of Manchester to compliment the City's coat of arms. The eagle is symbolic of the city's connection with ancient Rome; the 'M' represents the ancient Lords of the Manor and the circle around it is symbolic of Ringway (the City's airport).