THE producers of a radio play about the links between Bishop Auckland, Manchester United and the Munich Air Disaster are appealing for actors with a talent for accents to come forward.

Bishop United tells the story of how Bishop Auckland – the most famous amateur football team of all time – came to the aid of Manchester United in their hour of need.

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The Munich Air Disaster, on February 6, 1958, killed 23 people, including several members of Manchester United’s Busby Babes, fans and journalists.

They were returning from a European Cup game in Yugoslavia, when the plane crashed in snow at Munich Airport. Eight members of the United team were killed, two would never play football again and five were hospitalised in Germany.

The Northern Echo: The wreckage of the British European Airways plane which crashed in Munich on February 6, 1958The wreckage of the British European Airways plane which crashed in Munich on February 6, 1958

It left United with a threadbare squad, but the club were determined to finish the season.

And Bishop Auckland came to their rescue by loaning them three players – Derek Lewin, Bob Hardisty and Warren Bradley– to help fulfil their fixtures.

Bradley later became the only Englishman to win amateur and full international caps in the same season.

Inspired by those events, the play Bishop United was written by Roy Cavanagh, Carl Abbott and Steve Newcomb, broadcast live on local station Bishop FM and over the internet on a podcast and later performed in front of a specially invited audience at Heritage Park, in Bishop Auckland.

Producers were on the verge of securing a lucrative sponsorship deal to add extra shows and take the play on the road – but lockdown changed everything.

The Northern Echo: Actors in the radio play 'Bishop United', during its pre-lockdown performanceActors in the radio play 'Bishop United', during its pre-lockdown performance

“The play was a success, but then everything had to be put on hold,” said Mr Newcomb.

“Now we’re going to get the lads back together again – but we’re short of a couple of actors.”

The team are looking for somebody who can do a Scottish accent, to play legendary Manchester United manager Sit Matt Busby, as well as a Welsh accent for his assistant Jimmy Murphy.

Other actors are needed for “reserves” in case the main cast are unavailable

There are plans to take the play further afield, with interest from venues in Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as involving local youngsters.

For more information, or to offer your services as an actor, contact Steve Newcomb on 07525-128847.

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