06 Feb 2026 09:37:55
As I made my way to St Alphonsus primary school I was surprised by the groups of women openly weeping on the streets. On arriving at school, we were all ushered into the hall. There, the head Mother Michael told us the news.
There had been a terrible accident, a plane had come down. I can still remember that awful feeling. Beyond sadness. They were part of the community. They were family. RIP. xx.
06 Feb 2026 11:46:14
I can't imagine what it must have been like to live through that at the time Patrick. A crash that sent shock waves down through the ages. A plane full of hopes and dreams and a story of recovery that inspired our great club for generations. May they rest in piece and never be forgotten x.
06 Feb 2026 13:26:06
So many young people dying so needlessly will always evoke sad memories.
I remember the stardust disaster here in Ireland only too well when 48 young people list their lives and hundreds injured when a nightclub went on fire on valentines night in 1981.
A similar sort of tragedy that lives with you forever.
The Swiss fire this year will have similar consequences in their community and for society in general.
Nice post Partick.
Let it be a reminder that life is precious and should never be taken for granted.
May they all RIP.
{Ed025's Note - absolutely ken, i remember school in 1966 when my mum made me ask the head nun (sister Baptista) why if there was a god would he let all them young children die in the Aberfan disaster?, i cant remember her answer..
06 Feb 2026 16:22:34
Before my time but my late brother told me everything when I was young. He lined the streets, went to the first game at OT after Munich. I still have a newspaper of the news. His recollection made me a strong United fan very young, I understood the passion and what the impact of that was.
I grew up close friends with the children of a Munich survivor and knew him. Told never to mention Munich at all but he was a wonderful friendly guy, lucky to survive. Thoughts are always with those that didn’t make it, the flowers of Manchester.
06 Feb 2026 14:14:37
There was no answer Ed025. As your mum knew. And, as Sister Baptista knew.
{Ed025's Note - i have my own answer Patrick..
06 Feb 2026 14:23:47
Ed025 I hear you. I think most of us can recall something emotive like that the airplane coming down in Scotland dunblane i think is another.
On Sister Batista did her son play for west ham?.
{Ed025's Note - yeah we have seen some sad events in our lifetime Ken, today im thinking of the families of the air disaster in Munich in 58 and praying mate..
06 Feb 2026 18:03:40
Lovely Patrick and ed025.
I always think of the great Harry Gregg too during these times also. I think he saved a few on that terrible day.
06 Feb 2026 19:06:34
I spoke with Harry many times in work, walking his dog on Castlerock beach.
Giant of a man in every sense.
06 Feb 2026 19:07:26
Lockerbie, Ken. Dunblane was the guy shooting up the primary school ?.
06 Feb 2026 19:24:36
I remember the next game after Munich. I was in bed (8 years old) living about two miles away from the ground. Suddenly the walls shook and there was a deafening roar! The first goal had gone in! The first of three! Seems so clear.
06 Feb 2026 20:25:14
I stand corrected nou. indeed.
06 Feb 2026 21:41:00
Summerland fire on IOM. I had been in there a while earlier on the arcades. If I hadn’t ran out of money as a young kid i’d probably have still been in there! My mum thought I was.
50 people having fun on holiday gone in horrible circumstances.
Still sits with me even now after 53 years.