Roger Byrne

Roger William Byrne ( born February 8, 1929 in Gorton, † February 6, 1958 in Munich) was an English footballer. He played 1954-1957 in 33 matches for the England football team. Shortly before his 29th birthday died Byrne during the plane crash of British European Airways Flight 609 in Munich, the eight Manchester United players were killed.

Sports career

Byrne wrote in 1949 his first contract as a young player at Manchester United. In the first two seasons, he was inducted into the reserve team mostly on the left half position and later as a left winger. After he moved in 1951 in the professional sector and made his debut on 24 November 1951 in Anfield in the 0-0 draw against Liverpool, he won the English championship in his first season.

In the following season, Byrne was initially withdrawn from coach Matt Busby to the defender position. After a series of defeats Busby organized but then the team new and Byrne was reinstated offensive on the left. He scored seven goals in six games. The following year, Byrne played as a left defender and retained this position for the rest of his career. Exceptionally was his attacking approach in a time when the defenders were staying usually almost exclusively in their own half. His above-average speed and game overview ensured that Byrne could interpret the full-back position in a modern way.

On April 3, 1954 Byrne made ​​his debut in the last qualifying match for the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland for the English national team and defeated while Scotland in Glasgow 4-2. He was then also the England squad at the World Championships and was used in all three games.

Byrne was henceforth team captain of Manchester United and won in 1956 and 1957, his second and third English championship. At the zenith of his career, Byrne reached with his club in the second participation in the European Champions Cup after a 3-3 draw in the return match at Red Star Belgrade the semifinals. After the team had filed a stopover for refueling in Munich during the return flight from Belgrade, the aircraft crashed during takeoff attempt. Byrne was one case of the 23 deaths of 43 passengers.

Achievements

• English Champion: 1952, 1956, 1957
• Charity Shield: 1952, 1956, 1957