Sir Bobby Charlton replaces Sam Allardyce to unveil plaque of former team-mate Duncan Edwards
The World Cup winner is a late step in after 'Big Sam' pulled out after getting the sack from England
Dudley's Duncan Edwards will have his plaque unveiled by former Manchester United team-mate Sir Bobby Charlton as Sam Allardyce whisks away on holiday following his England axe.
The blue plaque will be revealed at Priory Park to celebrate what would have been Edwards' 80th birthday after he was one the 23 fatalities in the 1958 Munich Air disaster.
Campaigners have long called for a plaque to be installed where Edwards played as a child, catching the eye of Manchester United scouts.
A statue already proudly stands in Dudley town centre of the supremely talented midfielder who died aged 21.
Allardyce - born in Dudley, told reporters he was "off abroad to chill out and reflect" on his contract being terminated by the FA, in what was the shortest ever reign as the England manager, he lasted just 67 days.
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Luckily, former friend Charlton has stepped in at short notice, Sir Bobby once said of Edwards: "he was the only player that made me feel inferior."
Nicknamed "boom-boom" by the local press, the Englishman became the youngest player to play for his country in the post-war period aged 18 in 1955, a record that stood until Michael Owen made his international debut in 1998.
After surviving the initial crash in 1958, Edwards died in hospital 15 days later due to kidney failure. At aged 21, he amassed 177 appearances in a red shirt, scoring 21 goals and winning two league championships.
Dave Tyler, a councillor for Dudley said of Allardyce's withdrawal: "We pulled out all the stops to try and make sure the day is was a success.
";The day is all about Duncan Edwards, his legacy and keeping his memory alive.
"It is disappointing. People were looking forward to him coming back home to take part in the event.
"But there is always something good that comes out of adversity.
"Sir Bobby Charlton is always welcome in Dudley and we are absolutely thrilled he is coming."
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