The legend of Duncan Edwards was a short time in the making, but, as long as men gather together to kick a football, it will never die. Duncan was a soccer titan, a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon who thundered on to the First Division scene in the early 1950s and was snatched away just five years later, leaving the football world aching for what might have been. He had been in the United side at 16, the England team two years later, and there seemed no limit to what he would achieve.

Duncan Edwards was that hitherto mythical being, the complete player. There was nothing that could be done on a football field that this young giant couldn`t do better than anyone else. His ball control, with both feet, was masterful; his passing and tackling were exemplary; his shooting was awesome, both in power and accuracy; in the air he was a king; his reading of the game was startling in its maturity. The catalogue of his playing attributes was comprehensive.

And that`s barely the half of it. Then there were his bravery, loyalty and dedication, and - perhaps the most crucial of the lot - a character that ensured he would never squander the gifts with which he was so bounteously endowed. Manager Matt Busby and his lieutenant, Jimmy Murphy, scrutinised the Edwards` game for some flaw, some shortfall of technique or temperament on which they could work, but they found nothing.

From the moment he arrived at Old Trafford, as a much sought-after 15-year-old schoolboy in the summer of 1952, there was no doubt that Duncan was going to be special. He was aware of this himself but was not one to sit back and let it all happen. His devotion to the game bordered on the fanatical and he would often practise until the ball had to be dragged away from him. Duncan would have played all day for the love of it if he could and was the embodiment of the Corinthian spirit.

Most of his games for United were at left-half, a position from which he could lend his dominance to the defence but could also storm into the attack at every opportunity. Defenders seemed to bounce off him when he set off on one of those surging runs, an apparently unstoppable force. His last League match, the Reds` epic victory over Arsenal at Highbury by the odd goal in nine, saw one of his typical strikes when he arrived late on the edge of the penalty box to wallop a pass from Dennis Viollet past the Gunners` goalie, Jack Kelsey.

Sometimes, if United were trailing, Busby would throw his youthful colossus forward to spend the closing stages as a twin spearhead alongside striker Tommy Taylor, and frequently Duncan would respond with a goal, his mere physical presence enough to induce panic among opponents.

It`s a testimony to his stature that respected judges who saw such men as Best, Law and Charlton in their prime nevertheless place Duncan above them. As Bobby Charlton himself once put it: `If I had to play for my life, and could take one man with me, it would be Duncan`.

When he died at Munich - of multiple injuries after a courageous two-week fight for life during which he joked with Jimmy Murphy about being fit for the next game - he had won two championship medals and had played 18 times for England. He was only 21, his vast potential barely tapped. Those who saw Duncan Edwards play will treasure the memory. He was a young leviathan, and his like will not be seen again.

Even though he may never have achieved all the honours which can be bestowed upon a great footballer he always typified exemplary performance both on and off the field and no doubt even in those early days of Roy Race's career there can be no better exponent of "real Roy of the Rovers stuff!" Duncan Edwards was a giant revered by generations who never saw him play. Like rock 'n roll hero Buddy Holly, who died in a plane crash mere months after Munich, Edwards stands as a talent cut off in his prime, an icon of English football at its brightest and best. Surely if it were not for Munich he would have gone on and starred in the 1958, 1962 and 1966 World Cups, maybe captained his country and set a new record for caps for England?

Though United lost on his debut on 4th April 1953 against Cardiff City (his only game that season) his talent would soon manifest and at 18 years and 183 days he became the youngest person ever to represent his country at full level, when he was selected for the 1955 Home Internationals, making his debut against Scotland on the 2nd April. In the four seasons before his untimely passing he took his total of caps to 18 and netted five international goals. 

Though not a prolific scorer he could bulge the net with either foot and he was nick-named "Boom-Boom" for the power of his kick, very similar to "Racey's Rocket"! He even once scored a hat-trick for the England Under 23 side against Scotland. He would typically wear the left-half's number 6 shirt, indicating a more withdrawn midfield role, but would often link up with another great talent, left back Roger Byrne, to set up attacks. His four seasons in United's first team brought two League Championship medals and a losing FA Cup final appearance. 

In a team of greats Edwards was the outstanding talent. His talents are celebrated in his home town of Dudley where the Parish Church of St Francis contains a stained glass window dedicated to his memory. Two quotes typify how he was considered by those around him. United Assistant Manager Jimmy Murphy termed him "the Kohinoor diamond amongst our crown jewels." Bobby Charlton has also said "If I had to play for my life and could take one man with me, it would be Duncan." Following such tributes it is only fitting to welcome Duncan Edwards to the Roy of the Rovers Hall of Fame.