Survived 1958 Air Disaster That Cost 23 Lives, 82-Year-Old Wrexham Icon Receives Accolades From 68 Years Ago With Manchester United Following Major Rule Change

Just days ago, Manchester United veteran Alex Stepney and Wrexham icon Mickey Thomas made a trip to Wales. It was mainly to award their former teammate with two league championship medals. Back in the 60s, the EFL rules were different compared to today. Barring a major rule change in recent years, eighteen such players from the past were eligible to receive league title medals.

The former Manchester United and Wrexham legend in the limelight is our very own David Gaskell. He just received two of his league-winning medals from more than half a century ago.

A Manchester United and Wrexham icon finally receives his medals!

Manchester United decided to surprise one of its icons from the 1950s and 60s. Back in 1956, David Gaskell became the youngest-ever Mancunian player after making his debut at the age of 16 years and 19 days. It was a game against their arch-rivals Manchester City in the Charity Shield. After surviving the horrible Munich Air disaster, he made his way to Wrexham in 1969 where he spent 4 seasons.

At the time, he wasn’t eligible to receive two league medals from this tenure in Manchester, failing to receive his winning medal from the 1964-65 and 1996-97 seasons. Then, the rule stated that a player needed a minimum of 14 appearances for any recognition in case of a title win. But Gaskell fell short of the required appearances. The EFL has lowered the bar to just five or more appearances.

Barring the rule change, Gaskell was now eligible! In no time, Alex Stepney and Mickey Thomas were at his doorstep. While accepting the award at home, he reflected back on his time at United. He said, “They’ve brought it down and a lot of us qualified. People like Maurice Setters and David Sadler, people who actually played for England who didn’t get medals”.

READ MORE: “Oh He Was Brilliant” – Legendary Wrexham Boss Reveals How Sir Alex Ferguson Sought His Advice on Signing Upcoming Manchester United Legend Before Famous European Triumph

“Greggy used to tell me. They used to try and throw cigarette stubs in his hat at the back of the goal. Set fire to his hat. Well as a kid growing up, as Alex said, ‘Your dream is to get a medal Alex, isn’t it?’”. Without a doubt, it was quite a heartwarming moment for the soccer universe. Interestingly, Gaskell is a Busby babe, who survived the tragic airplane crash because he wasn’t on the plane. Let’s dive deeper.

The 1958 Munich Air Disaster

Now, 82, Gaskell was quite young during the Munich Air disaster. Luckily, he wasn’t on the plane. Harry Gregg, his replacement from Doncaster Rovers was on the team sheet. The team was traveling back after a European Cup match against Red Star Belgrade. Gaskell was on his way for a reserve match during the tragic plane crash.

A total of 44 people were on board. Twenty of them died at the scene. Considered the best of his generation, Duncan Edwards died 15 days later. In the end, 23 people lost their life. On the bright side, 21 of them survived.

On several occasions, Gaskell has revealed that he still has terrible flashbacks from that phase of his life. His flatmates, Duncan Edwards and Billy Whelan were two of eight Manchester United players who suffered fatal injuries. Roger Byrne, Mark Jones, Eddie Coleman, Tommy Taylor, David Pegg, and Geoff Bent were the other six.

WATCH THIS STORY: American Athletes With Ownership in Soccer Teams

What do you think about David Gaskell’s heartwarming reaction after finally receiving two medals after winning the league more than half a century ago? Let us know in the comments below.