Show Notes
In the golden era of the 1950s, Manchester United’s legendary "Busby Babes" dazzled football fans with their youth, talent, and fearless style of play—until tragedy struck in the Munich Air Disaster of 1958, cutting short the lives and careers of many of these gifted young men.
But five years before that fateful day, the future icons of English football took to the field in a much humbler setting: the Carlisle Grounds in Bray. On Tuesday, May 19th, 1953, the Manchester United Youth Team—already showing flashes of brilliance and including the now legendary Duncan Edwards faced off against a spirited Bray Wanderers/Rathfarnham XI. The match was part of a summer tour masterminded by United manager Matt Busby, made possible through the efforts of a local football enthusiast and Bray Wanderers stalwart, Mick Donegan.
This short documentary brings that historic evening to life through the vivid memories of Bray Wanderers’ goalkeeper Shay Ryan, one of the few still able to recount the game from the pitch. Adding depth and context is the late author Colm Keane, whose insight provides a valuable historical lens. Produced and narrated by Mark Quinn, this is a rare glimpse into a forgotten chapter of football history—when the Busby Babes played Bray.
More from Braytalkingheads
Episode 25 Sea Swimmers, Spine-Chilling Sounds and Tango in Bray! What’s the craic with Bray’s sea swimmers? What’s the story behind Paddy and Willie’s kiosk? And can you identify a spine-chilling sound from Bray’s past?
A statue for Katie? A plan for the Main Street, and how does local democracy work?
We find out all about the once magnificent International Hotel, Bray and hear two cherished voices from our archive of the past - Colbert Martin on the International and Joe Loughman on Little Bray and on being a founder member of Bray Wheelers; we check the summer vibes on the prom and get an update from Ivanna, who fled Ukraine due to the Russian invasion.
What do we choose to remember? As another piece of Bray's past disappears with the demolition of the old Presentation School and Hall, we reflect on the memories that shape our town. A twenty-something from Kilmacanogue recalls her teenage adventures in Bray, we take a fascinating look back at life through the 1926 Census, soak up more summer moments on the Prom, and 80-year-old Jimmy Byrne shares a moving childhood memory that has stayed with him for seven decades.
We remember Bray's vanished local shops and hear about a new pop-up shop seeking your opinions and ideas about what you'd like for the town. Locals and visitors share their plans for the summer season. We discuss the fires on Bray Head, and we bid farewell to a beloved Bray Golf Club barman as he calls last orders.