SIR: On February 6, 1958, eight Manchester United players, three of the club's staff and eight journalists died when a British European Airways aircraft crashed on take-off at Munich. The team was on its way home from a European Cup tie in Belgrade.

I wonder if I might seek the assistance of your readers with a book I have been commissioned to write telling the story of the Munich Air Crash and scheduled for publication next year on the 40th anniversary of the tragedy.

There are several points on which I need help.

I am anxious to make contact with as many of the survivors or relatives and friends of the victims as possible.

Also, football fans who may have original news coverage or personal memories of the event.

Former employees of BEA who may have known the crew or were indirectly involved, as ground staff, etc.

The aircraft involved was an Airspeed Ambassador, renamed some years earlier as an Elizabethan. Is there a surviving example of this aircraft in Britain?

It is my intention to include in the book as many photographs as possible. Family pictures of those involved, sports shots of the players, or other unpublished material would be most welcome.

All letters will be replied to - in confidence if wished - and all material studied, copied and returned as quickly as possible.

Anyone who feels they can help in the production of this book should write to me.

Cliff Goodwin, Derwent Cottage, Lockhaugh Road, Rowlands Gill, Tyne & Wear, NE39 1AW.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.