A LANDLORD has been slammed for writing an “offensive” comment about the Munich air disaster on a blackboard inside his pub.

But Kevin Banks, who is the landlord of the Sweet Green Tavern in Trinity Street, and a Manchester United fan, has defended his post about the 1958 crash in which 23 people lost their lives.

A message on the board reads: Manchester United Never Intended Coming Home It is understood to have caused complaints from customers, but Mr Banks refuses to take it down.

Mr Banks said: “If someone is offended by it that is tough on them. Why should I have an issue with it? People die everywhere. Why is this distasteful?

“I put it up on the blackboard, there is nothing disrespectful about it. People are edging round death all the time, this is the real world, get on with it.

“I am a Manchester United supporter and went to 500 consecutive matches. I don’t find it disrespectful — whoever does needs to get a reality check.

"To me it is something thought-provoking to make people stop and think. Last week, it was about planet earth celebrating its 13.82 billion birthday.”

One customer, who asked not to be named, said: “There are normally little quips on the board, but this upset me. A lot of people died in that crash and it was horrific. I find it offensive.

“If someone chanted this at a football match they would probably be prosecuted. It is disrespectful to the people who died.”

And Dale O’Donnell, from the Manchester United online fanzine Stretty News, said it is a “disgusting thing to write”.

He added: “If I saw that on a pub wall, I would walk out. I can understand the landlord’s general point that people are too sensitive towards death, but this is not the way to go about proving a point.”

Bolton Council said it was not a licensing issue. It has been reported to the police and is being investigated.