April 26 – Goodnight Newton Heath

IF you ever need to wind up a Manchester United fan (and lets face it, we all need to let rip every so often), then tell them that the Red Devil’s were founded by a scouser; and a St Bernard dog is responsible for their existence, which kicked in today in 1902 when Newton Heath changed their name to Manchester United.

The world’s most famous clubâ„¢, came about when a team of bored railway workers lead by a Liverpudlian, decided that Saturday afternoons could be spent better than in the pub watching the 1880′s version of Soccer Saturday (substitute Le Tiss and Merson for Friedrich Nietzsche and Fyodor Dostoevsky, if that would work. Big if, mind).

The Newton Heath Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Football club was established, playing in green and yellow strip, with the Heathen’s bagging some promising Lancashire Cup results, winning the local competition in 1898.

All you fact-fans will be interested that Newton Heath scored the first ever Football League penalty, when from the class of 1891, Alfred Farman , buried his spot kick in the back of the Blackpool net.

Despite success in regional contests it was starting to look gritty for Newton Heath at the turn of the 20th century. In 1902 bankruptcy reared it’s ugly head, with debts of £2,500 facing the Heath. Fundraising events ensued, and captain Harry Stafford hit the jackpot when his lovable St. Bernard dog caught the eye of a local industrialist J H Davis, who wanted to buy the pet for his daughter. Stafford convinced Davis to go one better and buy the club itself, ending their financial woes.

It didn’t take long for Davis to assert his control over the club, with an early board meeting rejecting the ideas of renaming the club ‘Manchester Central’ and ‘Manchester Celtic’ in favour of young Italian immigrant Louis Rocca’s idea of Manchester United.
A fair bit of trophy-winning history would ensue, but a few holes would soon appear.

The Manc’s had risen the ranks and by 1886 they had blagged their way into the fledging FA Cup competition. A battle against Fleetwood ensured, with the sides sweating out a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes. Like a Victorian Roy Keane, skipper Jack Powell refused to play extra-time, arguing with the referee, and storming off the pitch. The Heathern’s were holding out for a replay, but the FA weren’t forthcoming, leading to Heath pulling out of the competition until 1898. Sound familiar?

It’s been rumoured that 5% of the world’s population are Man Utd fans, so enjoy some retro footage below and come back for our favourite moment of the 1990′s tomorrow.