Footballing world in mourning with the death of legendary Harry Gregg
The 'Hero of Munich' has passed away at the age of 87
Last updated 17th Feb 2020
Former Manchester United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Harry Gregg has died at the age of 87.
His death was announced by the Harry Gregg Foundation early this morning (Monday).
He passed away at the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine.
“It is with great sorrow that we inform of the death of Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend Harry Gregg, OBE,'' it said in a statement posted on Facebook.
“Harry passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his loving family.''
The legendary keeper and his Man United team-mates were returning from a European Cup tie in Belgrade when their plane crashed after they stopped to re-fuel in Munich.
Among those who died were eight players.
Gregg was hailed the ‘hero of Munich’ after he rescued a number of survivors including a baby and team-mates Bobby Charlton and Jackie Blanchflower from the wreckage.
Gregg became the world's most expensive goalkeeper when United, and Sir Matt Busby, shelled out £23,000 in 1957, and he was voted the best at the World Cup a year later.
He spent nine years with the Red Devils and, although he never won a medal with the club, injury having ruled him out of the 1963 FA Cup Final and restricted his appearances in two title-winning campaigns, an unforgettable career was forged.
In all he played 247 times for United, including, incredibly, a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday just 13 days after the Munich tragedy.
He eventually left Old Trafford for the briefest of stopovers at Stoke and an underwhelming managerial career followed, with spells in charge of Shrewsbury, Swansea, Crewe and Carlisle.
Gregg played 25 times for Northern Ireland.