Sir Bobby Charlton to unveil Duncan Edwards plaque in Dudley

Sir Bobby Charlton will be in Dudley on Saturday to unveil a blue plaque commemorating his best friend Duncan Edwards. Credit: PA

Footballing legend Sir Bobby Charlton will be in Dudley on Saturday to unveil a blue plaque commemorating his best friend Duncan Edwards.

Sir Bobby was Duncan Edwards' best friend. Not only were they members of Manchester United’s famed “Busby Babes”, but they served their national service together too. They were both on the plane which crashed attempting to take off from Munich in February 1958, a tragedy which claimed the lives of 23 of the 44 passengers, including Duncan Edwards.

DUNCAN EDWARDS - A LIFE IN BRIEF:

  • Duncan Edwards lived on the Priory estate in Dudley.

  • He signed for Manchester United as a teenager.

  • He became the youngest player to play in the Football League First Division.

  • Then he became the youngest England player since the Second World War.

  • His life was tragically cut short as a result of injuries sustained in the Munich Air Crash in February 1958.

Sir Bobby famously described Duncan Edwards as "the only player that made me feel inferior", and he said his death was "the biggest single tragedy ever to happen to Manchester United and English football". He has visited Dudley a number of times over the last few decades to open Duncan Edwards Close, unveil the town centre statue and dedicate a local sports facility in his honour.

Duncan Edwards in action for England Credit: PA

Dudley North MP Ian Austin has been working with Councillor Dave Tyler and members of the local community to honour Duncan Edwards with the blue plaque at Priory Park where he honed his skills near to his childhood home on the Priory Estate.

Manchester United team group (l-r): Duncan Edwards, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, Kenny Morgans, Bobby Charlton, Dennis Viollet, Tommy Taylor, Billy Foulkes, Harry Gregg, Albert Scanlon and Roger Byrne. Credit: PA

The unveiling will take place at Priory Park at 3pm.