Manchester United Football Club

1878-1945: THE BIRTH OF A MYTH

Manchester United was founded in 1878. The club was originally Newton Heath LYR (Lancashire & Yorkshire railways). Workers in the company then played in between LYR departments and other companies.

When the English Football League was created in 1888, workers did not feel good enough to play teams like Blackburn Rovers or Preston North End. They will make their appearance in the championship in 1892. Newton Heath got its first crisis with the beginning of the twentieth century. Because of John Henry Davies, the boss of a local brewery, the club survived its financial problems. The legend tells that he learned the situation by finding the dog of the team’s captain.

1908, the first title

MU then bought the "Welsh wizard" of City, Billy Meredith. The winger was one major advantage in winning the title, thanks to its perfect harmony with the striker Sandy Turnbull. In 1908, United started its amazing record of achievements by winning the title, soon followed by the Charity Shield won over QPR, winner of the Cup (4-0). Other success followed and in 1909, the FA Cup came filled the shelves (1-0 against Bristol).

Forgot Bank Street, now that the team has acquired titles, it needs a stadium. John Henry Davies will therefore build a new stadium. Work began in 1908 and in 19 February 1910, Old Trafford hosts its first meeting resulted in a defeat to Liverpool (3-4). 80 000 spectators that can accommodate this new stadium will smile again soon. The first full season at Old Trafford is good: in 1911, the Red Devils win their second title. But this will be the beginning of a period less pleasing to the fans. The boom is nearing its end and Manchester Utd fall into line.

Between the Wars, MU is only the shadow of its glorious past. The club oscillates between first and second or even third division. The events reflect the world over in the early 40. But the Germans bomb Old Trafford in 1941, forcing MU to share the stadium of its rival and neighbour Manchester City, Maine Road.

1945-1958: FROM BUSBY TO MUNICH

The man that will change MU is Matt Busby. Former City and Liverpool player he will forever mark the history of the club. In 1945 he signed a five-year contract that will last 25 years... Busby will immediately restore order in the team and its staff. It brought Jimmy Murphy, met on the battlefield, to support it. On the side of players, it sets up its "Famous Five" in front: Jimmy Delaney, Stan Pearson, Jack Rowley, Charlie Mitten and Johnny Morris.

Manchester Utd will get a better rank and finish second in 1947 behind Liverpool, the best place for 36 years. Busby has found a good recipe: a mixture of young MU players and experienced players. And it worked when the following year the won the FA Cup. The obsession of the legendary coach becomes to win the championship. MU will fail narrowly four times in five years. The success came back and brought the crowd back at Old Trafford and helped the club to recover financially.

Munich

Gradually, the Scots created his group and the first "Busby Babes" are emerging. During the season 1951-52, Jackie Blanchflower and Roger Byrne emerge from the training center and participate in the victorious campaign. Recruitment then begins for the Red Devils. Among the newcomers, the gem is named Duncan Edwards (Dudley). At 16 years old and 185 days, he became the youngest player in First Division (April 1953).

Manchester United holds then a golden team, champion of England in 1956 and 1957. But history had a tragic ending on February 6 1958. The Busby Babes impress Europe’s football. Semi-finalists in 1957 to face Real Madrid, they think that they can beat the Spanish giant. Back from their quarterfinal round in Belgrade (1-1), their plane stopped in Munich. Because of bad weather, it crashed seconds after takeoff.

Byrne, Colman, Pegg, Taylor, Geoff Bent and Liam Whelan were killed and 25 other passengers. Edwards succumbed a few days later from his injuries. At 21, it was a great figure of English football. Busby was seriously injured in the accident but he defies all predictions and survived. The club, city and country emerged bruised from this tragedy. MU reached the final of the Cup but lose in Wembley against Bolton. The team decimated in the disaster, a transition period begins again. Matt Busby is then putting up another team of talent around the survivor, Bobby Charlton.