David Pegg (20th September 1935 to 6th February 1958)

 

Here I am at the grave of Manchester United left-winger footballer David Pegg who is buried in a semi-rural setting on the outskirts of Doncaster. He was born fairly nearby in Highfields, one of three kids. Perhaps his coal-miner dad who played amateur football to a high standard and filled the house with trophies spurred David into a football career. He must have been a guru on grass as Manchester United signed him up as he left school in 1950. He made his first debut in first division football in December 1952 aged 17 and helped Manchester Unit reach the European Cup semi-finals twice.

 

He was so proficient with a ball that he played for England and was rumoured to be replacing Tom Finney in future games. However just as a promising career was blooming he was killed on the snow-covered runway at Munich-Riem Airport, aged 22 years, one of the youngest people to die. For the third time Flight 609 tried to take off with 44 people on board. Twenty people died immediately and another three died having been taken to Rechts der Isar Hospital in Munich.

 

David’s mum and dad - who obviously outlived him - are buried here.

 

I drove into the cemetery and was having coffee and spotted “Pegg” a few metres away. I wish all the graves were so easy to find. 22 years old – just a kid.

 

 

While having a coffee I spotted the grave…

 

 

Emergency crews searching for survivors…

 

 

Eight footballers and fifteen others died in the crash…