Rumours of this show being catastrophically bad are unfounded
Gordon Brown could call an election next June in the hope of benefiting from a "recession bounce", allies have revealed
More...
City unveil shirts without sponsors for derby clash to mark Munich anniversary
Last updated at 15:11pm on 05.02.08Manchester City have unveiled their special kit for the derby clash against city rivals United which will mark the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.
On Sunday, United players will wear a 1950s-style kit, free from sponsorship and numbered one to 11 and City have similarly removed the sponsor for the occasion.
Scroll down for more
Manchester City's Micah Richards and Joe Hart with the Munich anniversary shirts that do not include the sponsors' logo
United chief executive David Gill is determined the event is not a United-only affair.
Twenty-three people lost their lives in the crash, 11 of whom were either United players or staff.
Most of the remaining 12 were journalists, who included among their number former Manchester City goalkeeper Frank Swift.
There have been fears the minute's silence in memory of the victims at Sunday's Manchester derby could be disrupted by some City fans.
But Gill was keen to point out the whole of the city and beyond was affected by the disaster.
"We've been working closely with City and discussed it with them," Gill said. "Frank Swift was one of their greatest goalkeepers and we've talked to them about the plans for the day. They're aware of what we're doing, for example with the kit, and they're doing something special with their kit as well. We'll be giving a memento to every fan, both United and City.
"There are 3,000 City fans going through the gate on the day and we're involving some of their former players on the day.
"We're working to ensure they remember that it wasn't just Manchester United, it was the city of Manchester that was affected and it was the world of football that was affected.
"We hope and believe that the minute's silence will be observed appropriately."
The centrepiece of the commemorations will be tomorrow's unveiling of a free, permanent exhibition of the Busby Babes in the South Stand tunnel - to be renamed Munich Tunnel.
A memorial service will be conducted by the club chaplain to coincide with the time of crash at 3.04pm.
There will also be a minute's silence at tomorrow's Wembley friendly between England and Switzerland.
Defender Rio Ferdinand is sure the crowd, despite an antipathy towards United players in the past, will show respect.
He said: "I'm sure the fans will respect it - it's a poignant moment and we've got fantastic fans in this country.
"It's not just about Manchester United, it's about English football as well."
11°c
1°c
