Source: Speak Up
OLD TRAFFORD
THE THEATRE OF DREAMS
THE HOME OF MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United for “Man Utd” is one of the top three football clubs in the world along with Real Madrid and Barcelona. The team know internationally as the “Red Devils” is one of the most successful in the history of the game but its origins were decidedly humble.
NEWTON HEATH
The club began life in 1978 as Newton Health LYR Football Club. It was formed by the Carriage and Wagon department of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway at its depot at Newton Heath in north-east Manchester. Originally an amateur team, in 1892 it joined the Fist Divison of the Football League (which had been formed in 1888), but was relegated to the Second Divison after only two season. The team now known and loved worldwide almost never happened, because in January 1902, with debts of £2.670 (the equivalent to £210.000 in 2010, but nothing compared with its current debt of £520 million!, it was practically bankrupt. Fortunately for future fans, four local businessmen paid £500 each to buy the club, and then changed its name. On April 26th 1902. Manchester United was officially born and, following its first league title in 1908 and the FA Cup a year later. Old Trafford was named as the team’s future home United played their first match thee on February 19th, 1910, against Liverpool, who beat them 4-3 (today Liverpool, rather than Manchester City, are United’s most bitter rivals). Last year marked Old Trafford’s centenary.
BOBBY CHARLTON
The original plan for Old Trafford included room for 100.000 spectators, but it was eventually revised to 77.000. on March 25th 1939 the stadium registered a record attendance of 76.962, no for a home team match, but for an FA Cup semi-final between Woverhampton Wanderers and Grimsby Town, which resulted in a draw. Old Trafford got its nickname when Bobby Charlton, one of Manchester United’s most famous players, called it “The Theatre of Dreams.” Fans may never get to play on the hallowed ground – they aren’t even allowed to touch it – but they come to see it from all over the world. “It’s the wow factor they get as they step out into the stadium and sees it live at the first time,” says Alan Bradshaw, one of the tour guides. “. “Most of them will have seen it many, many times on television but just to be in one of the stands or to sit in the manager’s box, where they’ve seen Sir Alex Ferguson sit during a match, is magical for them.”
Another bit thrill is the visit to the home team’s changing rooms, where shirts with each player’s name hang from hooks in the wall. Everyone wants to have their photograph taken alongside the jersey of a favorite player. Sadly the shirts are copies, but at least fans may dream.
MUNICH
The tour also acknowledges that tragic dy in the late 1950s when British European Airways flight 609 crashed on take off from Munich. On board were the “Busby Babes.” A nickname given of the young player because of their manager. Matt Busby (a Scotsman, like Ferguson). Of the 38 passengers, 19 died with another three dying later in hospital as a result of their injuries. Eight of the victims were players, including another United legend, 21 –year-old Duncan Edwards, although (20-year-old) Bobby Charlton survived. One of Old Trafford’s more touching monuments is a clock with features the date of the disaster, “Feb 6th 1958.”
