Geoff Bent grave (27^th September 1932 to 6^th February 1958)

Geoff was one of the eight Manchester United “Busby Babe” players who lost their lives in the Munich air disaster. Flight 609 tried to take off for the third time in slush at Munich-Riem Airport and crashed. Aboard were forty-four people of which twenty-three died.

Geoff was born in Pendleton, Salford, an only child. He must have been a tornado on his feet as he left school to join Manchester United as an apprentice. He played a few seasons on the youth and reserve teams and became professional aged 19. He made his first appearance aged 22 in the 1954–55 season but broke his foot shortly after and was unable to play. Sadly he flew to Belgrade (now Serbia) in case he needed to cover for Roger Byrne.

He died aged 25 and left a wife and five-month-old daughter. The headstone was easy to spot - a white shiny thing among dark tired ones. A couple of football scarves said others had visited. As I did a hearty salute over it as some kids on bikes looked on looking a little puzzled. I suppose one day they’ll understand.

I revisited Geoff in 2021 and found the grass in that part of the churchyard had been mown.