“This is where, on 5 February, 1958, our famous Busby Babes played their last ever football match,” Patrick Burns, a 64-year-old lifelong Manchester United fan, says to me while we are walking across Partizan Belgrade’s pitch.
When we reach the centre of the field, three wreaths lie on the grass,
They were laid to mark the 68th anniversary of the Munich air disaster, in which 23 people lost their lives while returning from a European Cup match in Belgrade.
“Right in this centre circle, our captain Roger Byrne shook hands with Red Star Belgrade’s Rajko Mitic,” Burns continued, standing at the exact same spot.
“They loved playing football and this is the last place where they did that. I find being here as emotional, significant and important as the place where they died.”
That is why Burns decided to come to Belgrade and organise a commemorative ceremony, linking the city with Munich and Manchester – cities forever connected by one of the greatest tragedies in football history.
A two-minute silence was observed and the names of those who lost their lives were read aloud.
Representatives of both Belgrade giants, Red Star and Partizan, made speeches, as well as Edward Ferguson, the UK ambassador in Serbia.
“God bless Red Star, Manchester United and Partizan,” former Red Star captain Bosko Djurovski said.
The plan is that this kind of ceremony becomes an annual event.
Burns is working on that in unison with the representatives of both Partizan and Red Star – usually arch-rivals.
“This place deserves it, it is very special and inextricably linked with our heroes,” Burns said.
