Manchester United history: Chapter One

Over the coming weeks FUB will be serialising the entire story of Manchester United, from their humble beginnings as Newton Heath up to the present day. These short chapters will be available each Friday and will remain in their own section at the top of the website. Sit back & enjoy whilst you take a most remarkable journey, learning about the world’s biggest football team.

Manchester United were formed in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club by the Carriage and Wagon department of the Lancashire and Yorkshire depot at Newton Heath. The team initially played games against other departments and rail companies, however on 20^th November 1880, they competed in their first recorded match, wearing the colours of the railway company – green and gold – they were defeated 6–0 by Bolton Wanderers Reserve team.

By 1888 the club had become a founding member of The Combination, a regional football league. However, following the league’s dissolution after just one season, Newton Heath joined the newly formed football alliance which ran for three seasons.

Despite applying to the official Football League, which had just been formed, they were not allowed to join until the 1892-93 season. However Newton Heath had actually played in FA Cup games during 1886-87 when they drew 2-2 with Fleetwood Rangers, Jack Doughty scoring both Newton Heath goals. Our club were under the impression that should a draw occur then a replay would take place however because the referee asked both teams to play extra time Newton Heath refused and resultingly were thrown out of the cup….not the best start for the team!

In 1890-91 Newton Heath reached the heady heights – in front of 3,000 ecstatic fans they beat Higher Walton at North Road (The Heathens home ground) in the first qualifying round thus going on to play the mighty Bootle reserves where Newton Heath lost 1-0.

But cometh the year cometh the team. In 1891-92 season of the Newton Heath drew a familiar foes these days in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup – Ardwick Association Football Club, or Manchester City as they are now better known. In front of 11,000 fans they did what they been doing for a long time since, beating them 5-1.

Newton Heath were finally allowed into the Football League in the 1892-93 season although it started somewhat awfully with a 4-3 defeat at Blackburn. Their very first league match at home took place on at September 10^th 1892 in front of a crowd of 10,000 at North road where we drew 1-1 with Burnley. Newton Heath were finally on their way so something special…

To read Chapter 2, click here.

By Steve Birchenough.

You can follow Steve on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/worriedturkey