Famous Like Me > Footballer > E > Duncan Edwards
Profile of Duncan Edwards
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| Name: |
Duncan Edwards |
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| Also Know As: |
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| Date of Birth: |
21st February 1936 |
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| Place of Birth: |
Dudley, England |
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| Profession: |
Footballer |
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From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia
Duncan Edwards (October 1, 1936 - February 21, 1958) was an English footballer. Born in Dudley, England, he signed for United June 1952 (amateur), 1 October 1953 (professional). He was one of the Busby Babes, the young Manchester United team formed under manager Matt Busby in the mid 1950s, being one of the eight United players who perished tragically in the Munich air disaster.
Early years
He was born at a house in Malvern Crescent, on the then-new Holly Hall estate in Dudley, but spent most of his childhood living in Elm Road on the Priory Estate, also in Dudley. He attended Priory Primary School and Wolverhampton Street Secondary School, and was a key player in both teams.
Football career
On April 4, 1953, he became the youngest footballer to play in the First Division on his debut versus Cardiff City. Aged 18 years and 183 days he became England's youngest post-war debutant against Scotland on 2 April 1955, a record now held by Wayne Rooney. Edwards displayed his prodigious talent in 175 appearances for Manchester United F.C., scoring 21 goals and winning 18 caps for England, scoring 5 goals.
The Munich air disaster
On 6 February 1958, the aeroplane carrying Edwards and his team mates home from an away match in Belgrade crashed on takeoff after a refuelling stop in Munich. Seven of his team mates and many other passengers died, and Edwards was seriously injured, with his injuries including broken ribs, a broken leg and chest injuries. Although doctors thought he had a chance of survival, they did not think he would be able to play football again.
Fight for life
He lost consciousness on 11 February and doctors had an artificial kidney rushed to the hospital for him the following day, but the artificial kidney reduced his blood's ability to clot and he began to bleed internally. Doctors were "amazed" at his fight for life. However, his condition worsened and he died in the Rechts der Isar hospital, in Munich on 21 February. He was buried at Dudley Cemetery five days later, and his grave is visited regularly by football fans. He is buried with his sister Carol Anne, who died in 1947 at the age of 14 weeks.
Bibliography
McCartney, Iain (2004) Duncan Edwards — The Final Report, Britespot Publishing Solutions Ltd. ISBN 1-904103-29-4
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