MANCHESTER UNITED greats Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton were among mourners who gathered for the funeral of club icon Harry Gregg.
The Old Trafford side’s Munich Air Disaster hero, who saved Sir Bobby from the wreckage, died last Sunday at the age of 87.
Sir Alex and Sir Bobby were among the Man Utd greats at the funeral of club legend Harry Gregg
Denis Law was the other United star who attended the service at St Patrick’s Parish Church in Coleraine, Northern Ireland.
Gregg’s ex-international team-mate and manager Sammy McIlroy was also in attendance, along with Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer David Healy and former Newcastle ace Keith Gillespie.
Former goalkeeper Gregg, who made 25 appearances for his country between 1954 and 1963, bravely rescued trapped team-mates from the 1958 crash in which 23 were killed.
Welcoming mourners, Rev Ian Ballentine, praised Gregg for being an “outstanding professional footballer and a man of exceptional courage”.
The Irish FA opened a book of condolence in his memory at the National Stadium at Windsor Park.
Gregg survived the Munich crash and twice returned to the burning fuselage to drag team-mates to safety.
Sir Bobby, Dennis Viollet and a 20-month-old baby plus her badly injured pregnant mother were all pulled from BEA Flight 609 by Gregg.
Law arrives to pay his respects to United icon GreggCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Sir Alex was shielded from the rain as he made his way to the serviceCredit: PA:Press Association
Sir Bobby with wife Norma Ball arrive to mourn the loss of GreggCredit: Pacemaker Press
Former Man Utd star and Newcastle hero Keith Gillespie paid his respectsCredit: PA:Press Association
Arlene Foster, the First Minister of Northern Ireland, was another in attendanceCredit: Pacemaker Press
BBC NI sports presenter Stephen Watson, who delivered a eulogy, said Gregg was tormented by guilt and grief after Munich.
He said: “Harry Gregg’s notoriety because of the Munich air crash came at a price – it cast a shadow over his life that he found difficult to dispel, but he always carried it with grace.
“Harry was determined that even though Munich shaped his destiny, it would not shape his life.
“Harry’s actions, though, on the runway that fateful day meant he transcended sporting greatness.
“He was called the Hero of Munich, but he always wanted to be remembered simply as a footballer and a coach of some repute.
“In his own words: ‘I’m Harry Gregg from 34 Windsor Avenue in Coleraine who played football – I was useful on some days and rubbish on others. That’s how I want to be remembered. Not for something that happened on a spur of a moment’.
A mourner listens to the service from outside St Patrick’s ChurchCredit: PA:Press Association
“Harry Gregg. What an incredible man, and what a remarkable life. We will never forget you. We celebrate your life today.”
In nine years at United, Gregg played 247 times, including in a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday just 13 days after the Munich tragedy.
Gregg became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when Sir Matt Busby’s United paid Doncaster £23,000 in 1957 and he was voted the best keeper at the World Cup a year later.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Harry Gregg talks about the Munich air crash
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
