12:57pm Wednesday 27th February 2008
DUDLEY residents said a moving thank you to their "own son" Duncan Edwards in a town service to mark 50 years since his death.
A crowd of around 1,000 people from across the country gathered around the bronze statue in Dudley Market Place to remember the Manchester United and England number six.
Hymns, prayers, wreath laying and a minute's applause formed part of a moving 30-minute service of thanksgiving last Thursday (February 21).
Dudley North MP Ian Austin, Mayor Councillor David Stanley and Manchester United director Maurice Watkins were some of the dignatories who laid wreaths at the poignant service.
Manchester United fans from across the country also paid their respects to the man who played 175 times for the Old Trafford outfit, scoring 21 goals and winning two championship medals. He was capped 18 times by England.
Duncan, nicknamed "The Tank", was one of the 23 victims of the Munich Air Disaster on February 6, 1958. But the 21-year-old managed to fight for his life for 15 days until he died on February 21 that year.
Speaking at the event, Reverend Geoff Johnston, of St Francis' Church, said: "Services of commemoration were held on February 6, today we have a slightly different focus; celebrating our own; Dudley's son Duncan Edwards.
"We're here to celebrate his life and giving thanks."
Maurice Watkins, Manchester United director, said: "It was an absolute pleasure to come to Dudley and lay a wreath on behalf of Manchester United.
"I believe the thanksgiving service was a fitting tribute to Duncan."
Mayor of Dudley, Councillor David Stanley, said: "The service was certainly a fitting tribute to Duncan.
"I was delighted that so many people out to show their respects to one of Dudley's true heroes."
Clad in a red and white Manchester United scarf, holding a wreath in the club colours, Pat Edwards, of Coseley, was there to pay her own individual tribute.
She said: "My first date with the man who went on to be my husband was watching Duncan play for Manchester United against Aston Villa during the 1956/57 season. I was hooked. United won 3-0. Nobody had his strength.
"We were married five weeks after Duncan died and left the flowers from our wedding on his grave."
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