carlyluvsunited
22-01-2008, 06:48 PM
Silence to mark Man Utd's Munich anniversary
Manchester United have rejected pleas to stage a minute's applause, instead of
silence, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.
Manchester City fans had urged the Old Trafford club to reconsider the silent
commemoration, which will take place before the Manchester derby on Feb 10.
They fear that a minority of the City support will ruin the occasion by disrupting
the silence and argue that a minute's applause would drown out any jeers.
However, United are sticking to their original plan in the belief that applause is
inappropriate.
"Manchester United have given great thought to the best way of remembering
those who died at Munich," said United's communications director Phil Townsend.
"We feel a minute's silence is the most appropriate way of paying tribute. We do
not feel that applause is appropriate given that 23 people died."
The game will take place four days after the 50th anniversary of the disaster, in
which seven United players were killed. An eighth United player - Duncan
Edwards - died from his injuries 15 days later. Two other players - Johnny Berry
and Jackie Blanchflower - never played again due to their injuries.
Kevin Parker, the City supporters' club secretary, had said: "Although there is
some friendly rivalry between supporters of the two clubs, there is also a great
deal of hatred and there will be some City fans who will not want to go along
with the recognition of the disaster.
"We plead with United to change the proposed minute's silence to applause. In
this way, any idiot who does not share these views (of respect) will be drowned
out rather than highlighted."
United's statement today also confirmed that the logo of club sponsors AIG will
not appear on their team's jerseys for the Feb 10 match.
Supporters had been angered by the appearance of the logo on a giant tribute to
the 1958 team on display outside Old Trafford.
However, United said that neither their shirts nor City's would have the usual
commercial branding. www.telegraph.co.uk
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Manchester United have rejected pleas to stage a minute's applause, instead of
silence, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.
Manchester City fans had urged the Old Trafford club to reconsider the silent
commemoration, which will take place before the Manchester derby on Feb 10.
They fear that a minority of the City support will ruin the occasion by disrupting
the silence and argue that a minute's applause would drown out any jeers.
However, United are sticking to their original plan in the belief that applause is
inappropriate.
"Manchester United have given great thought to the best way of remembering
those who died at Munich," said United's communications director Phil Townsend.
"We feel a minute's silence is the most appropriate way of paying tribute. We do
not feel that applause is appropriate given that 23 people died."
The game will take place four days after the 50th anniversary of the disaster, in
which seven United players were killed. An eighth United player - Duncan
Edwards - died from his injuries 15 days later. Two other players - Johnny Berry
and Jackie Blanchflower - never played again due to their injuries.
Kevin Parker, the City supporters' club secretary, had said: "Although there is
some friendly rivalry between supporters of the two clubs, there is also a great
deal of hatred and there will be some City fans who will not want to go along
with the recognition of the disaster.
"We plead with United to change the proposed minute's silence to applause. In
this way, any idiot who does not share these views (of respect) will be drowned
out rather than highlighted."
United's statement today also confirmed that the logo of club sponsors AIG will
not appear on their team's jerseys for the Feb 10 match.
Supporters had been angered by the appearance of the logo on a giant tribute to
the 1958 team on display outside Old Trafford.
However, United said that neither their shirts nor City's would have the usual
commercial branding. www.telegraph.co.uk
Click below to join manutdtalk.com forums to read and
discuss all breaking news on all things United !!! Come talk to us….
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