“Overwhelmed and proud” – Wombwell honours Busby Babe Mark Jones on Munich anniversary
The 24 year old was one of eight Manchester United players who died in the 1958 disaster
A memorial stone has been unveiled on the anniversary of the Munich air disaster to honour Busby Babe Mark Jones, with his daughter describing the tribute as “a long time coming”.
Mr Jones, aged 24, was one of eight Manchester United players who died on 6 February 1958 when their plane crashed in Munich, Germany, as the team returned from a European Cup match.
His daughter, Lynn Hargreaves, unveiled the memorial stone during an emotional ceremony on Wombwell High Street on Friday.
Speaking afterwards, she said: “I’m absolutely overwhelmed and proud. It’s been a long time coming. There’s been a big turnout from everybody and I’m just so, so proud of it. My mum would be too. I’m just so happy it’s happened.”
Ms Hargreaves said she was born months after her father’s death, adding that the date continues to carry deep meaning for her family.
She added the memorial would ensure her father’s legacy remains visible in the town where he grew up.
“They’ll recognise it. They’ll notice it. He’s here.”
Councillor Robin Franklin, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council’s cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture said the tribute would help keep the memory of the Munich air disaster alive for future generations.
He said: “It’s what the family deserves. It’s what he deserves. All these years, even though there’s a monument for him at his grave in the cemetery, this is for everybody to see and to remember him as they come shopping.
“There’ll be a lot of young footballers – boys and girls – who don’t even know about the Munich disaster. It was a tragic, tragic time, and I’m just proud that we’ve been able to do this for the family.”
The memorial forms part of wider improvement works to Wombwell High Street, delivered through Barnsley Council’s Principal Towns and Local Village Centres Investment Programme.
The unveiling brought together residents and community leaders to remember one of Wombwell’s most famous sons, 67 years on from the tragedy that shocked the footballing world.