MANCHESTER United legend Sir Bobby Charlton has given his backing to a tribute to Dudley’s greatest ever footballer Duncan Edwards.

The World Cup winner was a close friend and team mate of the former Priory Junior School pupil and was left devastated when he died in the Munich air crash of 1958 aged just 21.

As part of commemorations, the Duncan Edwards 60th Anniversary Tribute will publish a new book called “Black Country Boy to Red Devil”, which will be launched in Dudley on October 1 – on Duncan’s birthday.

Sir Bobby, who played alongside Duncan for both United and the Army, has written a moving foreword to the book which includes the following tribute: “Sixty years have now passed since the Munich tragedy and I still think of Duncan almost every day.

“I am very pleased to be part of this Duncan Edwards Tribute that pays homage to the memory of my friend, my team mate and the greatest footballer I have ever seen.”

The book, written by Jim Cadman and Iain McCartney, tells the story of his schooldays through to his time as one of England’s most celebrated internationals.

Duncan’s National Service days are also featured, describing how he spent two years travelling between the Army and Old Trafford - winning two First Division Championship medals in the process.

Mr Cadman said: “Along with the successful Duncan Edwards Exhibition staged at Dudley Archives, which goes on tour across the West Midlands later this year, the Duncan Edwards Heritage Packs and the Tribute Dinner in October, the book is part of our ongoing plans to engage with local communities to celebrate the enormous contribution Duncan made to the Black Country’s cultural and sporting heritage and to the history of English football.”

The book is priced £10 and available to pre-order by contacting Mr Cadman on 07971 624627.

For more information on the tribute and for tickets to the dinner, visit the website at www.duncanedwardstribute.com