Manchester's Finest

by David Hall

The story of the 1958 Munich air crash, which killed eight players from the Manchester United football team, is not just about the terrible crash, but also the story of its immediate aftermath and its effect on the city of Manchester.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Sports, Football

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 28, 2008

About the author

An awkward interview
'So here's your opportunity to promote yourself. Go sell yourself to the readers.'
'Umm...I'm not good at that chest pumping stuff. I'm British.'
'Okay. Well, you don't have to 'chest pump', just tell us a little about yourself. Who is David Hall?'
'He's British.'
'Yesss, you've mentioned that. Anything else?'
'Such as?'
'Well, like where do you live?'
'In Britain.'
'Hmm, you're not really helping the reader to get a sense of you as an author. Tell us about the types of stories that you like to write.'
'Oh that's easy. Anything. well, almost anything. Nothing gory, I don't have the stomach for it'
'Right. But you must have a preference for a genre.'
'Oh you mean like ticky boxes... I see... then in that case, I like to write romantic-comedy-suspense stories. Short stories. Yes, definitely romantic-comedy-suspense short stories.'
'Okay, now we're getting somewhere. So that latest book of yours...err...what's it called again?'
'Love Line.'
'Love Line. Of course. Why should readers buy Love Line? What are they missing out on?'
'They are missing out on a romantic-comedy-suspense story. Sorry, short story.'
'Right. But isn't it a bit odd a man writing in the romantic genre?'
'No stranger than you asking that question in 2015.'
'Alrighty then, is that the time? We really need to wrap this up. Anything else you want to say to your readers?'
'Yes. Love Line will make you laugh, probably reach for a glass of wine, and give you goose-bumps with a delightful twist. I am not responsible for you spilling your wine at that time. Thank you.'
'There, that wasn't too bad.'
'Hmmm.'

Reviews

[Mahlon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read a few books on the Munich crash, I can say that Manchester's Finest is the most moving. The author was a young boy at the time and takes you deep inside his world, 1950s Manchester. This is the only book I've read that describes the devastating impact that the crash had on the residents of the town, and how deeply that particular team was woven into the psyche of Manchester. You see the Babes as the author viewed them… gods on the pitch ,but at the same time young boys, a product of their city and their era, forever frozen in time.

I started this book in print but I'm glad I finished it on audible because Jonathan Keeble’s narration is both moving and stirring as befits the memories of the Busby babes.

[Yury Kashnitsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

In May 1999 I didn't know the rules of football well. I saw a bunch of men watching TV with emerald grass pitch and two teams – one in red shits, one in gray shirts. They told me the reds were losing, and so I started supporting Manchester United. This was the legendary Champions League final where "red devils" snatched the victory in the last minutes of the game. I started supporting Manchester United and it's still "my team". They say you can choose companies, countries of residence, partners, and beliefs, but there's only one Team for you. And only now, 23 years later, on Feb 6th, the anniversary of the 1958 Munich tragedy, I learned its story and the effect on Manchester, the club, the people, and all European football.

The book is slightly drawn out, but it makes you dive into those days and feel what the tragedy really meant to the people of that time. It shows how the club, one of the best ever, though almost wiped out still preserved the spirit and resurrected like a phoenix. To come back years later and win.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book badly needed a stronger editorial hand. It is too long, repeats itself, and the exclamatory style can grate.

But there's no doubt that it captures the shocking impact of a truly awful event not just on fans of Manchester United, but on the city as a whole and on the wider world of football. Recommended, but with reservations.

[Pete daPixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the books that I have read concerning the 1958 Munich disaster, David Hall's book is the most intimate account. 'Manchester's Finest' provides a young supporters view of the exploits of the 1956-58 United team and tells how the Munich air disaster broke the heart of a great city.
I found this 2008 publication to be the most personal memoir, with detail of everyday life in the 1950's that brought back many memories for me. I also recall many of the places in Manchester that the author describes...though some have changed, some forever not for better, some have gone and some remain.
A great and unique read, that provides much detail of the 1958 season, both pre and post Munich, which includes media and press reactions as well as personal accounts from supporters that are not found in other books that cover this story.

[Stephen Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poignant and powerful first hand account of what it was like to be a Man United fan in the aftermath of the Munich Air Disaster, but also the impact it had on the city of Manchester, football and the country as a whole. Hall also wrote well on the impact whilst the Manchester United Manager was Alex Ferguson, still had on the club.

Some of the best writing is about how Manchester United dedicated itself to playing for those who died and committing to their attacking brand of football, none more so than Bobby Charlton.

The run to the FA Cup final and the role Manchester United supporters played in it is told in a way that is both exciting and moving.

Hall reminds us that others outside of footballers including journalists and airplane staff died and details well the impact of the tragedy on those who died families, details of those who died and the fight for life of people like Duncan Edwards and their supreme footballing talents.

This isn't a perfect book. Some chapters whilst interesting enough when it came to how the author lived his life in Manchester and the impact of the Munich Air Disaster deviated for me too much from the central story. Some chapters felt a bit turgid with too much scene setting. The description of the Soviet Union and Tito's Yugoslavia was to put it mildly naive.

This is a well told heartfelt book and I learnt lots about the Munich Air Disaster I previously knew little about. I would recommend it.

[Carolyn Seggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Manchesters Finest

I worked amongst Manchester people ( at a convalescent home in Arnside Cumbria ) for 8 years. I came to know the people and the city well and how important their football teams are. This book captures all of that and you don't have to be a football genius ( which I am.not ) to to read it. We live in Scotland but Man U were my dad's English team and he often talked about Munich. David includes everything about life in the 1950s before ,during, and after Munich. He emphasises the massive impact it had on the city which I know to be accurate. Ii recommend this book to anyone interested in 20th Century UK history .

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always been interested in reading more about the Munich disaster so gave this book a go. I think the book should be about 100 pages shorter as it does repeat itself quite often. It is interesting hearing from someone who was a young fan at this time and how it affected everyone. The last bit of the book does seem a bit pretentious and the 'look how good a fan I am'. Not sure it's entirely necessary. Overall an interesting book, just too long!

[Ralph Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written oral history of the Munich air disaster that killed eight Manchester Utd players - the famed Busby Babes - in February 1958; the impact on the city and the club as it tried to get back to playing later that season. Evocative storytelling. You could really smell the atmosphere 8n the city at the time.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very moving book that not only provides real insight into the tragedy that was the Munich crash, but also paints a vivid picture of the great City of Manchester and it’s people at the time. Great read

[Hashim Alsughayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about a tragic event in the history of Manchester United football club.

Although this is more of a social account of the event, you will feel and understand what everyone involved and lived at that time had felt and went through.

[Eirik · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on Munich. Using his own experiences, the author shows how a whole city, both red and blue, was deeply affected.

[Steve Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a Manchester United fan, the stories and legacy of the Munich air disaster are never far away.

This book brings a different view. Much has been written from the view of the club, or from the media. This book is different, showing the view of crash through the eyes of the supporters. Specifically, it focusses on a young Manchester United supporter living in 50's Manchester who has to come to terms with the loss of his team.

Although I'm too young to know Manchester in the 50's, the book does a wonderful job of transporting the reader back, painting vibrant pictures of working class England, and the impact of football on local communities.

The book is sobering, thought-provoking and at times a challenging read, but for me it's one of the best "football" based books I've read.

[Salil Sathe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I work in Mather & Platt Pumps Ltd., a pump manufacturing company in Pune, India. The company was formulated in the late 1850s in the Newton Heath area of the City of Manchester, the same place where Manchester United also started. the thing that was unknown to me before reading this book, was that a head teacher of Mather & Platt apperentice school, Mr. Donny Davies, also a football writer for Manchester Guardian was one of the victims of the ill-fated 1858 Air Crash along with the Man Utd legends.

One of the best books about Manchester United I have ever come across. Takes the reader back to those cold grieving days.

A truly amazing journey to the soul of Manchester United.

[Keith Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit plodding at times but really good insight into life as a child in late fifties Manchester and the impact the crash had. Oh also provides an insight into why it's still worth taking the time to really hate Bolton even if they are a bit small and insignificant.

[Mike Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoyed this informative book :D