Soccer-Manchester fans unite in silence to honour Munich dead

By Mike Collett

MANCHESTER, England, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Fans of both Manchester United and Manchester City observed a perfect and moving minute's silence in glorious spring sunshine at Old Trafford on Sunday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1958 Munich air disaster.

Fears that City fans would spoil the occasion at the home of their fiercest rivals came to nothing in a short, emotional ceremony that preceded their Premier League derby.

The only noises that disturbed the peace were six loud bangs which appeared to come from fireworks set off outside the stadium.

A lone piper led the procession of officials and players on to the field with Alex Ferguson leading out the United team alongside Sven-Goran Eriksson at the head of the City side. The two managers laid wreaths in their club colours on either side of the centre circle.

They then embraced and were warmly applauded by the crowd. Once the silence was over, United fans applauded the City fans.

The players and the referee were accompanied by 23 mascots with the names of the victims on their shirts.

Before kickoff, the names of the dead were also displayed on the perimeter fencing around the pitch which normally features electronic advertising.

Eight United players died in the crash, as well as 15 other people including Frank Swift, the former Manchester City and England goalkeeper, who was working as a journalist at the time.