AN annual Duncan Edwards Day is to be celebrated on the birthday of the Dudley-born football legend.

The Duncan Edwards Foundation said it would take place on October 1 every year, to ensure the Manchester United and England star would never be forgotten.

The charity formally announced the creation of the day on Friday at the Duncan Edwards statue in Dudley town centre.

It is being backed by Dudley Council, with the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Dave Tyler, and council leader Patrick Harley in attendance.

Rose Cook Monk, of the Duncan Edwards Foundation, said: “Our aim through setting up the foundation was to try and ensure that the name of Duncan Edwards will never be forgotten in his home town.

“Although it won’t be happening until October, we felt it was an apt time to announce and launch it this week, on the 60th anniversary of Duncan’s tragic death.

“We’ll now be spending the next few months working hard to ensure we put on a fun-filled day on October 1 fitting of his memory.”

Cllr Tyler added: “As a football fan, I very much welcome the creation of a Duncan Edwards Day in his hometown.

“It promises to be a poignant day of remembrance, but also a celebration of his life and all he achieved. The newly formed Duncan Edwards Foundation will make sure Dudley never forgets who he was and what he did on a football field.”

Cllr Harley said: “As the historic capital of the Black Country, we are very proud of our past here in Dudley.

“Duncan Edwards is one of Dudley’s biggest success stories, and it is only right that we celebrate that.

“The council is firmly behind the creation of a Duncan Edwards Day, and we look forward to it later this year.”

A number of events have taken place in Duncan’s hometown to mark the 60th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.

It claimed the lives of eight Manchester United players and ‘Busby Babes’ including Duncan, who died 15 days later from injuries sustained in the crash on February 21, 1958, aged just 21.

Anyone looking for information about events, or the work of the Duncan Edwards Foundation, can email Rose Cook-Monk on rosecook69@hotmail.co.uk