Manchester United Munich air crash survivor Jackie Blanchflower has died at the age of 65 after a long battle against cancer. The Belfast-born centre-half, younger brother of Tottenham star Danny, won 12 Northern Ireland caps making his debut in 1954 in the same side as his brother.

His career was cut short by the 1958 Munich disaster, when United's plane crashed on take-off, killing eight of the legendary Busby Babes.

Jackie joined United as an amateur in May 1949 and turned professional a year later. He was badly injured in the 1958 air crash which claimed 23 lives in all.

After the crash, he was unable to continue playing and retired in June 1959 to become an accountant. Fellow Busby Babe Bill Foulkes paid tribute last night: "Jackie was a fun-loving character, a little bit more outgoing than his brother Danny," he added. "He was a first-class man and footballer. He will be sadly missed."