The short feature follows eight participants from the Foundation’s community football project, Street Reds, during their trip to Munich around the anniversary last year.

 

Commemorating the anniversary of Munich is an important occasion for the Foundation, particularly as a charity which was founded using the same ethos of giving young people an opportunity to thrive that enabled Sir Matt Busby and Jimmy Murphy  to build the great United team of the 1950s. The Foundation participants represented this legacy with great pride on last year’s visit, attending the annual memorial ceremony at Manchesterplatz, with some of the group laying a wreath and one reading a poem in front of the assembled supporters.

“Today I read a poem by one of our Academy players,” one participant, Walid, commented at the time. “It was really nice to be able to read something that showed what my generation thinks about what happened. It was special to be involved.”

“I felt so proud walking up to put the wreath down,” Amelia added. “I’m a big United fan and it feels like I’ve made a difference for the club I love.”

 

The trip, which first took place in 2023 and will also be happening again this year, aims to create something positive from a relationship between two great cities that was forged from such tragedy. The youngsters from Manchester, some of whom were experiencing their first time in a foreign country, were also given the opportunity to enjoy an incredible cultural experience, visiting Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, taking part in a rooftop football match and exploring the many incredible sights the Bavarian capital has to offer.

 

Anthony Savery, Community Projects Coordinator, who led the 2024 trip, spoke of its importance, both in terms of honouring the legacy of those who lost their lives, but also the benefit the visit has to the young people.

“The kids have been a credit to the Foundation and we’re delighted to have been able to give them such an incredibly enriching experience,” he said. ”Here at the Foundation, we’re aware that these kind of trips and opportunities don’t come readily for some of our participants, so it’s important that we’re able to do that for them.

“I think this trip encapsulates everything that we do so well: honouring the legacy of the Busby Babes and how important it is to recognise the talents in young people, while also giving them the platform to develop, grow and succeed. It’s been a really successful few days.”

Fast forward to 2025 and, back in Manchester, another participant will also be paying her own tribute as part of this year’s commemorations. Irene, from Middleton, is a Foundation volunteer and a budding poet. As such, she was tasked with writing a special spoken-verse piece to read at the Old Trafford memorial ceremonies on the 2^nd and the 6^th of February.

Her poem, Keeping The Flame Alive, touches once again on how the Foundation’s work stays true to the ethos that Busby and Murphy’s team was built on the values of supporting and inspiring the young people of Manchester and beyond.

The poem reads:

February 6th 1958

A date with a twisted fate

In Munich’s snow a tragedy struck, sealing fates

The Busby Babes with dreams so bright 

Fell to earth on that fateful flight

 

A team of stars, young and keen

Pursuing a future yet unseen

The Busby Babes were more than just names in the game

Played every game with style & grace

Leaving the crowd amazed and in a daze

 

Under Busby’s guidance they danced on the field

A legacy crafted a fate they would yield their dreams

Young hearts of Manchester United Foundation look to them

Embracing the spirits of the Babes to find a vibrant space

Empowering the youth of Manchester with lessons so clear

To strive for their goals and conquer their fear.

If you’re attending tomorrow’s ceremony, be sure to look out for Irene’s poem, which will also be shared on the Foundation’s social media channels following the Old Trafford tribute

 

We also encourage all supporters to watch the Foundation’s poignant Munich film, demonstrating the charity’s continued mission to honour the legacy and spirit of the Busby Babes.