FAMILY, former team mates and football stars came together to celebrate the life of Dudley’s greatest ever footballer.

The Duncan Edwards 60th Anniversary Tribute Dinner celebrated the lasting legacy of the former Priory School pupil, who was tragically killed in the Munich Air Crash in 1958, aged just 21.

Ex-United stars Nicky Butt and Tommy Docherty joined West Bromwich Albion FA Cup winning captain Graham Williams amongst the special guests at the event at the Copthorne Hotel.

United’s current youth team was strongly represented while Duncan’s family members and fans enjoyed recollections of the hugely talented player’s short but outstanding career.

A new, lavishly illustrated book – Black Country Boy to Red Devil – was also launched which tells the story of Duncan Edwards from his Black Country roots and his schooldays in Dudley through to his time as one of England’s most celebrated international players.

Former Scotland international Tommy Docherty said: “This is a wonderful tribute to a wonderful footballer and most of all a wonderful man. He was the greatest player I played against and that was in an era of some fantastic footballers.”

Graham Williams, who was also in the army with Duncan, said: “He was remarkable – a legend even as a young man.

“He was a fantastic footballer who just seemed so big and powerful – a man really in his youth. I was a confident player and frightened of no-one but I couldn’t see how I could match up to him.”

Current youth team player Dermot Mee – one of 11 who attended - said: “Duncan Edwards remains a hero to all youth team players at United.”

Jim Bradley, who went to Priory Primary School with Duncan, said: “He was a great bloke who was never boastful but could easily have been because he was such an amazing footballer.

“We went into the army together and played football together a lot and I knew him up until the time the tragedy happened.

“The Black Country was a tough place back then and he was typical of the area - he was a fighter and he fought for his life until the very end.

“Sadly, we never got to know how good he might have been as he was taken from us too soon but we’ll never forget him.”

And Brian Woodall of Dudley Town FC added: “I played against Duncan for Kates Hill when I was 10 years old. We lost 10-1 and Duncan played in defence but scored six of the goals. That summed Duncan up.”

Tribute organiser Jim Cadman said he was delighted with how the dinner went and added the book has been well received.