We're shaped by various experiences, events and news – but some have more of an impact on us. Tragedies often tend to have a more profound influence. They become a part of us, determine our future, destroy us or make us stronger. One such event is the 1958 air disaster of Munich.
On this day, sixty-one years ago, 23 people perished when an airplane failed to take off, crashed into a building next to the runway and burst into flames. Munich was just a stop on Manchester United's trip home from Belgrade.
The team had just drawn with Crvena zvezda and made its way into European Cup Semi Final.
Midway between Belgrade and Manchester, lives of eight players were ended far too soon. Seven of the legendary Busby Babes were cruelly taken. One of the most talented football teams became one of the saddest story in the history of football.
The Munich tragedy scarred the Manchester club and traced its way towards European glory. Ten years later, Manager Matt Busby led his Man Utd side to a European Cup win. That side featured a pair of air crash survivors - Bobby Charlton and Bill Foulkes as well as mercurial George Best.
Among many messages of sympathy, the one from our club called UEFA to award the the European Cup to Manchester United so the ones affected by the disaster could at least have a tiny bit of comfort.
Not only Red Devils learned from the tragic events from 6th February 1958, but all of football world. The way the Old Trafford club acted in the aftermath showed that determination, wisdom, passion and mental strength could help the community cope with loss and eventually grow stronger and win - on the pitch and off it. Like Phoenix, a new energy was born from the ashes of Munich.
Misfortunes cripple us and hurt us, but they also make us value and celebrate life. Today we remember those who died and we thank them for bringing an entire community together – the community of football.
We at FK Crvena zvezda remember the events of 1958 and we remember Flowers of Manchester.