Duncan Edwards day announced for Black Country hero - with VIDEO
A new ‘Duncan Edwards Day’ will see the Black Country hero celebrated annually on his birthday, it has been announced.
The event will take place on October 1 every year, to ensure the Manchester United and England star, who grew up in Dudley, will never be forgotten.
The Duncan Edwards Foundation formally announced the creation of the day in front of the footballer’s statue in Dudley town centre.
Rose Cook Monk, from the foundation, said: “Our aim through setting up the foundation was to try and ensure the name of Duncan Edwards would never be forgotten in his home town.
“Although it won’t be happening until October, we felt it was an apt time to announce and launch it this week, on the 60th anniversary of Duncan’s tragic death. We’ll be spending the next few months working hard to ensure we put on a fun-filled day on October 1 fitting of his memory.”
The event has been backed by Dudley Council, with the borough mayor Dave Tyler and council leader Patrick Harley at the launch on Thursday.
Councillor Harley said: “As the historic capital of the Black Country, we are very proud of our past here in Dudley.
“Duncan Edwards is one of Dudley’s biggest success stories, and it is only right that we celebrate that.
“The council is firmly behind the creation of a Duncan Edwards Day, and we look forward to it later this year.”
A number of events have taken place in Duncan’s hometown to mark the 60th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.
It claimed the lives of eight Manchester United players and ‘Busby Babes’ including Duncan, who died 15 days later from injuries sustained in the crash on February 21, 1958, aged just 21.
