After his playing days ended , he became a well-known administrator and , later , director of Manchester United . He became chairman of the club in 1951 after the death of James W. Gibson , and was at the helm at the time of the Munich air disaster on 6 February 1958 , which claimed the lives of 23 people , including eight players , three non-playing staff , and ended the careers of two other players due to injury . He oversaw United 's three league title glories of the 1950s as well as their early foray into the European Cup from 1956 to 1958 . Hardman also saw Manchester United win the FA Cup in 1963 and another league championship in 1964 – 65 , before his death in June 1965 at the age of 83 . He was succeeded as chairman by Louis Edwards
Munich air disaster
Munich air disaster
Harold Hardman