GLORY GLORY MANCHESTER UNITED PART-1

“Manchester United Football Club” (MUFC), these three words stands for something more than any person, any player, any supporter could imagine. It is the soul of a sporting journey which continues season after season making history all the time. Manchester United is one of the most widely supported football clubs in the world, and has rivalries with Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Leeds United. The club was founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to its current fortress, Old Trafford, in 1910 and this is where the journey began. It wasn`t an easy start for the Red Devils (as they are commonly known by the fans). The team initially played games against other departments and railway companies, but on 20 November 1880, they competed in their first recorded match; wearing the colors of the railway company – green and gold as the Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878 which resulted in a 6-0 loss. In January 1902, with debts of £2,670 (which is equivalent to £280,000 in 2019) the club was in a desperate situation. Captain Harry Stafford took it upon himself and found four local businessmen, including John Henry Davies (who became club president), each willing to invest £500 in return for a direct interest in running the club and who subsequently changed the name on 24 April 1902, and this is the official birth of the Red Devils. After promotion to the first division just three years after these issues were solved they secured promotion to the First Division, which they won in 1908-the club's first league title! But post WW1, the club was relegated thrice in the years 1922,1931 and 1934. Things worsened following the death of the great John Henry Davies in October 1927, the club's finances deteriorated to the extent that Manchester United would likely have gone bankrupt had it not been for the saviour James W. Gibson, who, in December 1931, invested £2,000 and assumed control of the club. “Once United we are always United”…fans  never stopped supporting the club. The managerial appointment of Matt Busby changed the red devils` course completely. A strict manager who had an unprecedented faith in the team`s youth and fans led the team second-place league finishes in 1947, 1948 and 1949, and to FA Cup victory in 1948 and their first league title in 48 years when they won the first division in 1952 quite a turnaround!! The ‘Busty Babies’ (called so because of a squad with an average age of 22) back-to-back league titles in 1956 and 1957 and went on to became the first English team to compete in the European Cup where they recorded a 10–0 victory over Belgian champions Anderlecht, which remains the club's biggest victory on

record. These precious moments sadly crashed on the 6th February 1958.  The aircraft carrying the Manchester United players, officials and journalists crashed while attempting to take off after refuelling in Munich. The Munich Air Disaster claimed the lives of 23 Red Devils including 8 first team player and injuring several more. Fans of the footballing world were shocked and condolences poured in from all over the world. This remains the most downhearted moment in the club`s history. But like phoenix we rose from ashes enlightened!!A reserve squad under Assistant Manager Jimmy Murphy reached the FA Cup Finals. This was just the beginning. Busby rebuilt the team with great strength throughout the 1960s by signing players such as Denis Law and Pat Crerand, who combined with the next generation of youth players including George Best to win the FA Cup in 1963.And the club`s greatest moment at that time came when they won the European Championship by beating Benfica 4-1 in the finals with a team which contained three European Footballers of the Year: Sir Bobby Charlton( who went on to became the club`s leading goal scorer with 249 goals before Wayne Rooney excelled it), Denis Law and George Best. Media went crazy Man Utd fans couldn`t be more delighted. Busby resigned subsequently with lots of accolades respect and honor.

But misery struck shortly after this. It seemed like god couldn`t feel happy if he saw the Red ‘Devils’ succeed. In the years from 1969-1986 Old Trafford witnessed: many relegation battles, a relegation in 1974 (and by that time the trio of Best (personal problems), Law, and Charlton had left the club) saw different managers at the wheel who just worked as painkillers -not the complete cure and a lot more hardships, but success…. Very less. In short chaos reigned at Old Trafford despite major signings, including Joe Jordan, Gordon McQueen, Gary Bailey, Ray Wilkins and the costliest Bryan Robson (who remained as club captain for thirteen years). Under new manager Ron Atkinson, the club won the FA Cup twice but finished fourth place and the following season survived relegation battle and Atkinson was sacked. Happiness never seemed to last long. Where there is a will there is a way and Fergie Time proved it right.

PART 2 AWAITS YOU