FOOTBALLER Ted Jacobs sacrificed the chance of a trial with Manchester United for the sake of his family.

His father had just died and he felt he had to stay at home to support his mother and two sisters.

It was a decision that probably saved his life. For the player who replaced him in the United squad was killed in the Munich air disaster.

Twenty-three people, including eight ‘Busby Babes’ – young players being nurtured by manager Matt Busby – died when their plane crashed during take-off on a slush-covered runway on February 6, 1958, as the team returned from a European Cup match in Belgrade.

Mr Jacobs’s son David, of Oak Drive, Kidlington, recalls: “Dad always had a tear in his eye on the anniversary of the crash. He said: ‘It should have been me’.”

After giving up hopes of a professional career, Ted went on to play for numerous local clubs.

Now, 12 years after his death, his family has treasured reminders of his sporting success – two international caps, a scrapbook of newspaper cuttings and numerous medals and badges.

As a teenager, he was a prominent member of the Balliol Boys’ Club team in Oxford, and won his two caps playing centre forward for England in National Association of Boys’ Clubs international matches.

In one game against Wales at Wrexham, he scored four of England’s six goals in a 6-5 victory.

Mr Jacobs also had a trial with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Northampton Town, as well as Manchester United, were also said to be interested in signing him.

Earlier, he had played for Oxford Boys in the English Schools’ Trophy, earning himself a mention in one of the famous Alan Course sporting cartoons in the Oxford Mail.

In a 2-2 draw with Kettering, he was said to have “raced down the centre all on his own and landed one right out of the top drawer” to put Oxford 2-0 ahead.

He also played for Oxford City Colts and later Old Corinthians in the Oxfordshire Thursday League.

Mr Jacobs, who lived in Thistle Drive, Greater Leys, grew up in St Ebbe’s and attended South Oxford Secondary School. He worked at Pressed Steel, the Cowley car body factory, for 20 years before joining the pub trade.

With his wife Anni, he ran the University and City Arms in Cowley Road, the Nuffield Arms in Cowley, and the Plasterers’ Arms in Marston Road.

He died in 2003, aged 68, and his wife died in 2010.