We appointed a chaplain at Newcastle because we recognised that the newer generation of players could benefit from having someone in this role - to support them, befriend them, and help them keep a sense of perspective.  With the high intensity of the professional game I would commend the development of chaplaincy throughout rugby.
Rob Andrew, Director of Elite Rugby, RFU

On the 6th February, 1958, the plane carrying the Manchester United party back from Belgrade, ( where a 3-3 draw had assured them of a place in the European Cup semi-finals,) crashed on take off in Munich, where it had stopped to refuel.

That tragic accident took the lives of twenty three people, and in the history of Manchester United has become known simply as "Munich". Last week the 50th Anniversary of the tragedy was remembered in various ways, and not least by a Memorial Service held within the Old Trafford stadium.

The official chaplain of Manchester United is Rev John Boyers, the Baptist minister who is National Director of SCORE, the sports chaplaincy charity. John has given BT his reflections on the remembrance events.

"I first tried to understand the huge loss that was Munich. United were pioneering a trail for British Football in Europe with a supremely talented and remarkably young side. They won the old first division title in 1955-56 season with a side whose average age was 22years. That title opened the door to playing in the "European Cup", and the young United side reached the semi-finals, being beaten in Madrid and drawing at home to Real, the eventual winners. Season 1956-57 saw them retain their ‘English Champions' title, and so enter European competition again. The Belgrade result, 3-3, in the quarter finals, put European success within their grasp. This team, so young, so talented, with so much potential seemed on the brink of greatness via dominance at home and abroad. Then came "Munich". Eight players lost their lives, two survived but were unable to play again, others failed to attain to previous levels of performance. A team was destroyed. When the coffins were returned to Manchester, 100,000 people stood out in the rain to pay their respects as the cortege slowly moved from Ringway to Old Trafford. Blue and red stood side by side and wept. Manchester wept. The nation was heartbroken. Unique and youthful talents were gone. The Busby Babes were no more.  I had to understand just what Munich meant for this club if I had to formulate a suitable service."

John was called into early discussions about the memorial day before the summer of 2007, with a view to a serious discussion with club secretary Ken Ramsden in the following September. A pattern was emerging of remembrance and celebration: it seemed right to create an appropriate memorial aspect to the day, and to create a more celebratory part, with tributes, stories and a consideration of the legacy of "the Babes." As Club Chaplain, Rev John Boyers was asked to lead the first 45 minutes of Remembrance, while Eamonn Holmes was asked to lead the second part of celebratory reflections.

"By December we had a good idea of the ‘order of service' for the whole event, but over the last 4 weeks I began to work on a full script. I realised that in this event, I'd need a word for word script : there was no place for ad-libbing through such a significant service. So I began to draft out words....I think there were 8 or 9 drafts which I talked over with Ken Ramsden, and , of course, Anne, my wife !! The final tweaks took place on the Tuesday morning, before our Tuesday afternoon rehearsal. On the day, we did a full run through before lunch, and all seemed to be fine".

It was in the hour leading up to the service that John began to sense the enormity of responsibility he was carrying. "The club had tried to trace all families involved in the tragedy, to invite them, and VIPs were attending as well as club officials and fans chosen by ballot. There would be 1000 people in the congregation, a live feed to MUTV and through them to Sky sports extra, and live radio links, too. But I knew people were praying. Rev. Mary Vickers organises SCORE's monthly prayer diary, and had sought prayer for these Munich memorial events. On the Tuesday, Henry Corbett, chaplain of Everton FC, phoned to encourage me, and on the Wednesday lunch I got a text , - one of many that came in that morning ! - from Dave Chawner, a Baptist Minister now working for SCORE to develop chaplaincy in Rugby Union which said " I'm praying for you". Great stuff !! Isn't it wonderful when people pray for you, and tell you !!"

The whole event went off very well, with John's first 45 minutes showing the prayer surrounding it ! "After words of welcome, a Memorial Candle was lit, and an introduction given. The first reading was from Ecclesiastes ( 9 vs 11-12, 12 v 13 ) followed by prayers. All stood for the lighting of the 23 memorial candles, lit by Gary Neville, club Captain, while the names of those lost as a result of the accident were read out. Then came, at 3.04 pm, the minute's silence, coinciding with the moment of the crash 50 years earlier. Psalm 23 was sung by the singing group, followed by the chaplain's address. Readings from Psalm 103, (vs 8-14, and vs 15-19) were followed by more singing from the group, the congregation, a children's choir. Final prayers were said before Eamonn Holmes took over the second, celebratory half with archive film, interviews and reflections on the legacy of the Busby Babes. And remarkably, committed Christians, occasional churchgoers, and all others seemed to feel it was a great event. There were tears; quiet, spiritual moments; laughter; time to listen or to pray; and time to renew old friendships. It was a significant memorial time. To all who prayed, I express my thanks again"

"This sort of thing is far from normal week on week chaplaincy work. Usually I'm meeting staff of all sorts, talking, listening, asking about the father who is ill or the wife who is expecting a baby soon. Sometimes I'm teaching "lifeskills" material with the academy scholars, or preparing for a funeral which someone has asked me to lead. I may be chatting round the tables in the staff or players' canteen, sometimes praying , or working on the PC. I spend my 2 days a week building relationships and showing care and support unconditionally. And when people begin to trust the chaplain, they begin to ask spiritual questions, - or use my professional know-how in events like this !"

We follow Jesus Christ, God incarnate. He who came to Earth, got His hands dirty, and nailed, to bring salvation to needy humanity. We who follow him need to get involved in the world , too - sport, or education, or politics, or community or business, or whatever - and show His love and care by action and word. Let's not hide inside the churches ! His Spirit works in believers, in the church and in the wider world ! Let's get involved with the world, let's be passionate about our Lord and Saviour in that ‘ outside the church' world. Let's show the ‘outside the church' world, that God loves and cares through His people ! Let's serve that world, and see what The Lord does with our service !

JOHN BOYERS is the National Director of SCORE, a reg charity supported by BUGB Home Mission, to develop chaplaincy in Sport. SCORE seeks to resource and network around 150 chaplains serving a range of sports in the UK, including Associaion Football, Rugby Union, Rugby League, Horse-racing, County Cricket, Athletics, Women in sport, and Motor Sports. SCORE has also organised chaplaincy at major world-level sports events.