Dear Readers,
Have you ever been to Manchester? or even heard of Manchester in the UK region?
Hm...I would bet not all, but most have heard of Manchester, but not because of the city itself or its history, but due to whats within.
Manchester is mostly known due to the one and only legendary club that the world has come to know all over the globe, the place nicknamed the theater of dreams have been their home since the 19th February 1910. The said club was formed since 1878 under the name Newton Heath LYR, but due to financial burden a take over was made in 1899 and the club has since changed its name to one of the most recognised football club in the world..
Manchester United..
Since then till the year 1914 when the football league stopped due to the first world war where only two players which saw Manchester United winning the league previously, remained after the war, so after the restart of the league in 1919, the fans saw the club going up & down between the top flight and the second tier, within that the club also almost filed for bankruptcy.
But thanks to an investor, the club survived, however the problems still kept growing with the yo-yoing between divisions until the bombing of old trafford by the germans due to the second world war in 1939.
In 1949, the works for rebuilding of old trafford was finally completed, while the works were being done, the club had to play at maine road the stadium of their neighbour rivals Manchester City. With the rebuilt stadium,over the years it was modernised to make it one of the best stadiums in the world and the capacity was increased more and more over the years.
However during that time, 1945 to be exact Sir Matt Busby became the manager of the club which started a new transition in the club and also one of the longest serving managers in the leagues history which lasted 25 years leading the great reds. Whom have gone on to win many trophies including the F.A. Cup in 1948 against Blackpool, the first silver ware since 1909. From then onwards came the first of many 'busby babes', whom have helped the great reds to bring home the league title back to old trafford since 1911.
However on the 6th February 1958, tragedy struck the club which affected the league, the nation & the whole world as the plane that were taking the reds back from a champions league match in Belgrade, crashed. Killing 22 people including 7 players. But although with that tragedy, they went on to win the league, FA cup & the champions league under Sir Matt Busby before his retirement in 1969.
Since the departure of Sir Matt Busby, they have been few that could fill his shoes over the years. But one man took over the reigns in 1986 that has not yet let go of the club yet till this day. The legendary scot as he is called is none other then Sir Alex Ferguson.
He has lead the Red Devils to victories in the premier league, FA cup, League Cup & charity shield whereby the he has turned Manchester United into a team well recognised in the UK regions, then continued the growth of Manchester by winning the Euro Cup, Champions league & the Euro Super cup. He has also made them into the Worlds champions in the year 2000 by winning the world club cup champions where champions from all regions play against each other to become the worlds champion. Will he do it again as Manchester play in tokyo tomorrow, the 21st Dec 2008 as they battle for the name of the world greatest club again.
Referals;
www.manutd.com
&
http://oldtrafford.org