SOME of the biggest names in footballing history will help honour Dudley’s favourite sporting son on what would have been his 80th birthday.

The Duncan Edwards Charity Gala will be held at Brierley Hill Civic Hall on October 1.

Former West Bromwich Albion player and Manchester United captain Bryan Robson and the youngest player to score a senior goal for Manchester United, Norman Whiteside, are just two of the special guests who will attend to remember the gifted footballer, whose promising career was cut short by the fatal 1958 Munich air crash.

The gala is the brainchild of Dudley born writer, producer and award-winning documentary maker Rose Monk, whose film ‘And then came Munich’ has been the bestselling sports film on Amazon for the past three years, raising thousands of pounds for charity in the process.

“Researching and telling the story of Duncan’s life has been a labour of love for me for nearly a quarter of a century,” said Rose.

"I have got to know his family very well and I think they know they can trust me. It is a huge honour to be able to talk about Duncan and to keep his memory alive."

Her film will be shown on the evening and guests will also enjoy a three course dinner, performances by The Gentlemen Songsters and The Empty Can, who penned the original Black Country Anthem.

There will also be an auction of signed memorabilia and a raffle, with all proceeds going to The James Bulger Memorial Trust and Mary Stevens Hospice.

The team at the Stourbridge hospice are also helping Rose to organise the event, which will be part funded through the Black Country Festival.

Amanda Bowen, the hospice's community engagement officer, said: “As an organisation, we are immensely proud of our Black Country and the incredible community we support through such difficult times, so to be involved in an event which will do so much good and pay tribute to an iconic Dudley figure like Duncan is a real privilege.

"It’s shaping up to be a wonderful evening, and we can’t wait to see everyone on the night.”

Tickets cost £45 and can be booked via www.marystevenshospice.co.uk Any businesses or organisations interested in sponsoring any element of the evening are urged to call 01384 377 778.