Bridge honour for footballer killed in Munich crash

Tommy Taylor’s niece, Danni Blackley, uses the bridge regularly

A railway bridge is to be named after England footballer Tommy Taylor who died in the Munich air disaster in 1958.

The Tommy Taylor Memorial Bridge connecting Barnsley town centre to Oakwell opened in December.

Residents were invited to name the bridge by Barnsley Council, which then narrowed down 1,200 suggestions to 20 before deciding to name the bridge after the former Barnsley and Manchester United player.

Taylor's niece, Danni Blackley, who lives in Stairfoot, said she was "overjoyed" it was being named in her uncle’s memory.

Tommy Taylor played football for Barnsley, Manchester United and England

“Tommy died before I was born, but everyone in the family has been told his story as soon as they could walk and talk,” she said.

“He was loved by everyone, as a man and a player.

"I’m so pleased he’s being remembered with this permanent tribute. I use this bridge every time I visit Oakwell, so it fills me with pride to see it named after my uncle.”

Mr Taylor was born in Smithies and worked at Wharncliffe Colliery as a teenager, playing for Smithies United, Barnsley and then Manchester United.

In March 1953, Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby famously paid £1 to Barnsley’s tea lady Lily Wilby to avoid Taylor becoming the first £30,000 player.

Nonetheless, the £29,999 transfer fee was a club record.

He scored 131 goals in 191 games for the team.

Representing England, he scored 16 goals in 19 caps, including two hat-tricks against Denmark and the Republic of Ireland in 1956 and 1957.

Taylor was one of eight Manchester United players among the 23 fatalities of the Munich air disaster on February 6, 1958.

On February 6, 1958 the British European Airways Flight 609 had crashed on its third attempt to take off from a snow-covered runway at Munich-Riem Airport.

Barnsley Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said: “I’ve known the story of Tommy Taylor as long as I can remember, and he’s still remembered with huge affection by many Barnsley people.

“In years to come, those who weren’t born when Tommy was playing, or perhaps those not even born yet, will know of Tommy’s legacy and his place in Barnsley’s history through this bridge.”

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