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Former 'Busby Babe' Bill Foulkes Dies Aged 81

Former 'Busby Babe' Bill Foulkes Dies Aged 81

Former Manchester United defender Bill Foulkes, one of the survivors of the Munich air disaster, has died aged 81.

The club said he passed away early on Monday morning.

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said he was a "giant character" in Manchester United's post-war history.

Eight players were among 23 people killed when a plane carrying Sir Matt Busby's team back from a European Cup game against Red Star Belgrade stopped off to refuel in Munich and crashed on takeoff.

United's team of young stars were nicknamed the 'Busby Babes' after their manager.

Foulkes made his debut for United in 1952 and went on to play 688 times for the club - a figure only surpassed by Ryan Giggs, Sir Bobby Charlton and Paul Scholes.

Mr Woodward said: "He was a very gentle man who I was privileged to meet on several occasions, including most memorably at the Champions League final in Moscow, 50 years after his heroics in the Munich air crash.

"Bill's contribution over almost 700 games and nearly 20 years will never be forgotten. The thoughts of everyone at the club - directors, players, staff and fans - are with Bill's family."

Foulkes, whose father and grandfather had both played rugby league for his home town St Helens, started work as a coal miner.

He was still working as a miner at Lea Green Colliery in the mid-1950s when he became a regular in the United first team and won his only England cap, in 1954.

He took over the captaincy after the Munich tragedy in 1958.

Foulkes played for United for his whole career, the highlight coming near the end of his playing days when United lifted the European Cup.

Then aged 36, he also played a key part in the semi-final, scoring the winning goal against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

As well as the European Cup he won four league titles and the FA Cup.