Historical ledger brings early story of the region's Busby Babe Duncan to life

Fascinating details about the early life of football hero Duncan Edwards are to go on show.

Rose Cook-Monk, founder and curator of the Duncan Edwards museum is pictured with the book, which is being permanently loaned to the museum

A Black Country museum has been presented with an important piece of history on a player who died in the Munich air disaster at the age of just 21.

The Duncan Edwards Museum in Dudley has been loaned a minutes ledger from the Worcestershire Schools Football Association which dates back to the 1940s.

The ledger details different points of his life, from when he first joined the association to his signing with Manchester United and his death in the disaster in 1958.

Duncan Edwards, holding the ball, with fellow members of the Worcestershire Schools Football Association team from one of the photos in the ledger

Museum founder and curator Rose Cook-Monk said the ledger was a fabulous piece of memorabilia about Duncan and described how the museum got it and what was inside.

She said: "We've already got Duncan's tie and blazer from the association and the chairman of the association Dave Bayliss contacted me about the ledger and whether we wanted it.

"It contains all the minutes of their meetings and has all his match reports, congratulations on his signing for Manchester United and their expressions of grief at his death in Munich.

"It also contains the details of the cup that they made in his memory that the school boys played for and we've been given it on a permanent loan."

One section in the ledger expresses the collective grief felt at Duncan's death in 1958 following the Munich Air Disaster

The ledger contains typewritten and handwritten notes dating back to 1947 and also contains financial notices and other historical documents about football in Worcestershire.

One note from the ledger offers praise to Duncan Edwards for receiving a number of individual honours.

It reads: "It is with much pride that we record the further honours gained by our captain Duncan Edwards of Dudley.

"Not only was he the captain of the international side, and the most consistent player in the team, but he also captained the Midlands Counties' Federation side versus London and the Birmingham & District County team in all its games.

Other sections show the pride the association had for his talent and honours received

"Rarely has a schoolboy footballer had so many honours showered upon him.

"Once again, we offer Edwards our congratulations and wish him success in his chosen career."

Mrs Cook-Monk said it was amazing to be able to have a connection to the early part of Duncan Edwards's career and said it would be a key feature of the museum when it reopens to the public.

She said: "We've extended the museum and added some beautiful new pieces to it, which will include the memorial cup for Duncan.

Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby and Duncan Edwards. Sir Matt Busby's young Manchester United team were heralded as being one of the greatest ever, but on February 6, 1958 they perished in the Munich air disaster

"People will enter a 1930s living room, then work their way through his life in the 1940s and 50s, with exhibits about his life in the army, Manchester United and the events of Munich.

"The ledger is a great new addition and just adds to the legacy of Duncan Edwards."

More information about the museum and the Duncan Edwards Foundation can be found at duncanedwardsfoundation.co.uk.