Fans of Dudley-born football legend Duncan Edwards will be able to share their memories in a special book of remembrance at the town’s archives to mark the 60th anniversary of his tragic death.

Among the first to sign it was Tony Whelan, former Manchester United player and now assistant director of the club’s academy. He was joined by Birmingham teenage prospect Dermot Mee, who is currently in the youth setup at Old Trafford and hoping to follow in Duncan’s footsteps.

The pair made a special trip from Manchester yesterday to get a glimpse of a new exhibition in Duncan’s honour set to open to the public tomorrow. Mr Whelan said:

“We are proud to follow in the footsteps of Duncan. He will be a Manchester United legend forever, and it was a real honour and a privilege to come down today to see this new exhibition.”

Manchester United and England legend, Duncan, was one of eight players who tragically died from injuries sustained in the Munich air disaster on February 6th, 1958. He died 15 days later on February 21, aged just 21. A number of events will take place in his hometown to mark the anniversary.

The book of remembrance will be open to sign at the Archives in Tipton Road from tomorrow. It will form part of an extended exhibition honouring the footballer, which also opens tomorrow and will be in place for three months at the site near the Black Country Living Museum.

The first 60 people through the doors at the archives on Wednesday, which opens at 10am, will receive a special commemorative Duncan Edwards storyboard created by football artist Bob Bond. The museum, which does not normally open on Sunday, will be open especially from 12 noon to 2pm on Sunday February 18 as part of the commemoration.

It will tie in with a special service of remembrance on the same day at St Francis’s Church, where there are two stained glass windows celebrating Duncan’s memory. Around 80 Manchester United fans are expected to travel from the city on the day for the service and to visit the museum, as well as visiting Duncan’s grave at Queen’s Cross cemetery and stopping off at his statue in the town centre.

A special wall of remembrance is also being set up at the church, where Duncan’s funeral was held, for visitors. They will tell the story of his life, from his childhood to his days playing for the Red Devils and England, and is due to be unveiled the week beginning February 12.

A Duncan Edwards Tribute Dinner will take place at the Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill on February 21. Special guests will include former Manchester United manager, Tommy Docherty, and European Cup-winning goalkeeper, Alex Stepney, as well as members of the Manchester United Former Players Association. Councillor Dave Tyler, Mayor of Dudley, said:

“I would urge anyone who has any memories of Duncan Edwards to get along to this exhibition and put pen to paper in the book. He was a giant of the beautiful game, and he was Dudley born and bred.”

In total Duncan made 177 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 21 goals, and playing his part in two league title wins in the mid to late 1950s. Nicknamed ‘The Tank’, he also won 18 caps for England, netting five times for the national side. He was once famously described by former team-mate and best friend Sir Bobby Charlton as “the only player who made me feel inferior”.

For further information on any of the events taking place as part of the tribute, you can visit duncanedwardstribute.com or email jwc@duncanedwardstribute.com.