Hopes of success at the 1958 finals were hit by the Munich air disaster in February that year , which claimed the lives of eight Manchester United players . Three of the players who died were established England internationals . They were full-back Roger Byrne , who had never missed an England game since making his senior début for the country in 1954 , centre-forward Tommy Taylor , who had scored 16 goals in just 19 appearances for his country , and wing-half Duncan Edwards , who was then widely regarded as the finest player in English football
Munich air disaster
Munich air disaster
History of the England national football team