Respect For Munich
Liverpool and Manchester United are the biggest rivalry in English football, not just for footballing reasons but also for their great city’s historical reasons. But these two great clubs share so much in common, great success in domestic competition and also in Europe, with so many brilliant players throughout their history, but unfortunately both United and Liverpool have suffered pain and tragedy too, with lives lost but never to be forgotten by the clubs.
Liverpool suffered at the Heysel and Hillsborough disasters and United tragically lost most of their great young team in 1958 in that tragic air disaster in Munich. Unfortunately because of the great rivalry between the two teams the supporters do show much hatred towards one another, and unfortunately some supporters target the other’s disaster to inflict emotional pain on the other.
This will never stop as there is an element of idiots in every support around the country who think this type of “banter” is “clever”. But the vast majority of United and Liverpool supporters are sensible enough and do show respect to each other, and especially to these tragedies that make up such important parts of both clubs’ history.
Today is a sad day for Manchester United on the anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster, where 23 people lost their lives, 8 of them players of one of the greatest young footballing sides never allowed to reach their potential because of fate.
The young team that manager Matt Busby had put his faith in was remarkable as they won the League the two years prior to the disaster which earned them the position of becoming the first English team to venture into European competition.
United were returning from Belgrade after drawing with Red Star Belgrade 3-3 in the European Cup quarter-final, which was enough to take them through to the semi-final. But unfortunately they never made it home after stopping to re-fuel at Munich.
Who knows what this talented young team could have achieved ?
Like the Heysel and Hillsborough disasters, the Munich Air Disaster will never be forgotten. Manchester United showed great respect for the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster before this season’s league fixture between the two sides at Anfield, and although there is a great rivalry there is also a great respect between the two clubs and between the true supporters of both clubs. The rivalry will continue and so will the respect, so from the supporters of Liverpool I would just like to say our thoughts are with you as we all pay our respects on the anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster.
You’ll Never Walk Alone
Something else in common. Old Trafford is the only premiership ground which has a statue of a former Liverpool player outside.
Nice article and wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments. I am a United fan, so obviously Munich is a tragedy close to my heart. As a football fan, Heysel and Hillsbrough are too, as there should never be a situation that eclipses humanity. Tragedy allows us to transcend petty rivalries and whilst I always want us to beat Liverpool, the only aggression I want to see is on the pitch. Both sets of supporters are knowledgeable, but due to the vast globalisation of the game you get a lot more fans now. With the spread of the internet, the conversations happen thousands of time every day… in that situation you will always find idiots attach themselves to a club and use this as a way to spout their foul comments. Sad, but true football fans know the value of all clubs and have a respect for the institutions that each and every club represents. I am genuinely excited by the changes happening at Liverpool, genuinely excited that you are turning into a good side again. There is something special about challenging Liverpool for a title, something I would even put above Man City. Liverpool v Man United is a true football rivalry steeped in tradition and the success of both sides in their history.
Thanks,Jamie,for this touching piece.
I live in Oshogbo,Nigeria and I’ve only been in England once in my life but I av been a fan of MUFC for almost a decade. Despite supporting a football club in a far away land,I av always had a huge respect for Liverpool FC. I believe Man Utd and Liverpool are the two greatest clubs in England. I am also aware of the great rivalry between the two clubs which I think is normal. What I’ll never understand,though,is the bitter chants between both fans about the saddest days in the history of both clubs.
I have great respect for Liverpool FC and I think they’re still our biggest fixtures every season,despite the emergence of Man City FC but I hope the sick chants could stop.
Nice article
YNWA