<![CDATA[Man Utd People - Man Utd History]]> https://manutdpeople.com/ Sun, 12 Apr 2026 21:51:45 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Sad News: Denis Law Passes Away]]> https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Sad-News-Denis-Law-Passes-Away Fri, 17 Jan 2025 19:36:41 +0000 https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Sad-News-Denis-Law-Passes-Away
I'm sure all of us will raise a glass to the Lawman and remember his fantastic career at United.

Rest in Peace
The man dubbed 'The King' and 'The Lawman' spent 11 years at Old Trafford, his 237 goals in 404 appearances placing him third in United's history behind Wayne Rooney and Bobby Charlton.]]>
I'm sure all of us will raise a glass to the Lawman and remember his fantastic career at United.

Rest in Peace
The man dubbed 'The King' and 'The Lawman' spent 11 years at Old Trafford, his 237 goals in 404 appearances placing him third in United's history behind Wayne Rooney and Bobby Charlton.]]> <![CDATA[Sad News: Nobby Stiles Passes Away]]> https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Sad-News-Nobby-Stiles-Passes-Away Fri, 30 Oct 2020 20:16:28 +0000 https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Sad-News-Nobby-Stiles-Passes-Away
An integral part of United's first-ever European Cup-winning side, Nobby was a titan of the club’s history, cherished for his heart and personality on and off the pitch.

He will be sorely missed by fans everywhere

Rest in peace Nobby]]>
An integral part of United's first-ever European Cup-winning side, Nobby was a titan of the club’s history, cherished for his heart and personality on and off the pitch.

He will be sorely missed by fans everywhere

Rest in peace Nobby]]> <![CDATA[Sad News: Harry Gregg dies Aged 87]]> https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Sad-News-Harry-Gregg-dies-Aged-87 Mon, 17 Feb 2020 12:38:14 +0000 https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Sad-News-Harry-Gregg-dies-Aged-87

Former Manchester United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Harry Gregg has died at the age of 87.
Gregg was part of United's 'Busby Babes' and has been referred to as the 'Hero of Munich' for rescuing survivors of the 1958 Munich air disaster, in which 23 people were killed.
He rescued United team-mates Bobby Charlton and Dennis Viollet from the BEA Flight 609, as well as a 20-month old baby and her badly injured, pregnant mother.
"It is with great sorrow that we inform of the death of Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend Harry Gregg, OBE," a message on the Harry Gregg Foundation Facebook page said.
"Harry passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his loving family.

RIP Harry

Read more at https://www.skysports.com/football/news/...es-aged-87


https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/ha...-age-of-87]]>

Former Manchester United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Harry Gregg has died at the age of 87.
Gregg was part of United's 'Busby Babes' and has been referred to as the 'Hero of Munich' for rescuing survivors of the 1958 Munich air disaster, in which 23 people were killed.
He rescued United team-mates Bobby Charlton and Dennis Viollet from the BEA Flight 609, as well as a 20-month old baby and her badly injured, pregnant mother.
"It is with great sorrow that we inform of the death of Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend Harry Gregg, OBE," a message on the Harry Gregg Foundation Facebook page said.
"Harry passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his loving family.

RIP Harry

Read more at https://www.skysports.com/football/news/...es-aged-87


https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/ha...-age-of-87]]> <![CDATA[History of Manchester United Football Club]]> https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-History-of-Manchester-United-Football-Club Wed, 25 Jun 2014 10:43:09 +0000 https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-History-of-Manchester-United-Football-Club
MUFC were formed in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club by the Carriage and Wagon department of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway depot at Newton Heath. The team initially played games against other departments and rail companies at their home ground at North Road, but by 1888 the club had become a founding member of The Combination, a regional football league.

[Image: newton-heath-1891-92-400px.png]

However, following the league's dissolution before the end of its first season, Newton Heath joined the newly formed Football Alliance, which ran for three seasons before being merged with The Football League. This resulted in the club starting the 1892–93 season in the First Division, by which time it had become independent of the rail company, dropped the "LYR" from its name and moved to a new ground at Bank Street. After just two seasons, the club was relegated to the Second Division

In January 1902, with debts of £2,670 – equivalent to £250,000 as of 201 – the club was served with a winding-up order. Captain Harry Stafford 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. As a mark of this fresh start, on 24 April 1902, the club's name was changed to "Manchester United".

So, that is really only the potted history of our great club. Watch this thread for more history, in more detail.]]>
MUFC were formed in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club by the Carriage and Wagon department of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway depot at Newton Heath. The team initially played games against other departments and rail companies at their home ground at North Road, but by 1888 the club had become a founding member of The Combination, a regional football league.

[Image: newton-heath-1891-92-400px.png]

However, following the league's dissolution before the end of its first season, Newton Heath joined the newly formed Football Alliance, which ran for three seasons before being merged with The Football League. This resulted in the club starting the 1892–93 season in the First Division, by which time it had become independent of the rail company, dropped the "LYR" from its name and moved to a new ground at Bank Street. After just two seasons, the club was relegated to the Second Division

In January 1902, with debts of £2,670 – equivalent to £250,000 as of 201 – the club was served with a winding-up order. Captain Harry Stafford 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. As a mark of this fresh start, on 24 April 1902, the club's name was changed to "Manchester United".

So, that is really only the potted history of our great club. Watch this thread for more history, in more detail.]]> <![CDATA[Norwich v United 1934-5]]> https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Norwich-v-United-1934-5 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 11:13:14 +0000 https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Norwich-v-United-1934-5 United beat Norwich that season at Old TRafford by 5-0 yet in the return match slipped up 2-3! Better not happen today!
http://flic.kr/p/iF5N3t]]> United beat Norwich that season at Old TRafford by 5-0 yet in the return match slipped up 2-3! Better not happen today!
http://flic.kr/p/iF5N3t]]> <![CDATA[Original Newton Heath/Manchester United Memorabillia]]> https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Original-Newton-Heath-Manchester-United-Memorabillia Fri, 27 Dec 2013 22:22:25 +0000 https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Original-Newton-Heath-Manchester-United-Memorabillia
manchesterunitedman1 - PHOTOS

Just click on any image to view for free, so far there are over 8,800 different images uploaded with more being added weekly

* Over 1.8 million have already viewed this site, surely the best collection in private hands.

* Over 450 different catorgories to choose from, Newton Heath, War Years Mujacs, Busby Babes, SAF era-it is all there.]]>
manchesterunitedman1 - PHOTOS

Just click on any image to view for free, so far there are over 8,800 different images uploaded with more being added weekly

* Over 1.8 million have already viewed this site, surely the best collection in private hands.

* Over 450 different catorgories to choose from, Newton Heath, War Years Mujacs, Busby Babes, SAF era-it is all there.]]> <![CDATA[Sad News: Bill Foulkes dies at the age of 81]]> https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Sad-News-Bill-Foulkes-dies-at-the-age-of-81 Tue, 26 Nov 2013 13:17:38 +0000 https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Sad-News-Bill-Foulkes-dies-at-the-age-of-81
The central defender, who survived the 1958 Munich disaster, collected four League Championship medals, while also enjoying victories in two Wembley finals - the FA Cup of 1963 and the European Cup five years later.

Although not a prolific goalscorer during his 18-year career at Old Trafford, one of his finest moments came against Real Madrid in the semi-finals of United's European Cup winning season of 1967/68.

With the score 3-3 on aggregate at the Bernabeu, Foulkes - then 36 - made a rare journey upfield to latch onto George Best's pass and score the goal that sent the Red Devils into the final against Benfica who they beat 4-1 after extra-time.

Foulkes, who made his first-team debut against Liverpool in 1952, also won one England cap which came two years later at the age of 22 against Northern Ireland.

He played 688 games for the club - in all competitions - scoring nine goals before calling time on his career in the summer of 1970.

But 12 years earlier, the St Helens-born Foulkes walked virtually uninjured from the plane crash in Germany that claimed the lives of so many of his team-mates.

Many years later Foulkes said of the tragic accident on that icy runway in Munich: "It was obvious that we would struggle to take off and they took the chance.

"They should never have done that. I don't feel guilty about being a survivor. I was just damned lucky.

"But I do harbour this feeling that it wasn't necessary, that angers me. It cost the club, it cost the country so much."

And former teammate Sir Bobby Charlton is saddened by the news, and paid tribute to Foulkes by saying: "He was as hard as nails, as tough as teak - I was always glad I didn't have to play against him.

"He was a really, really good defensive player and you could say he helped change the course of history for United.

"He survived the Munich air crash (as did Charlton) and then became the captain for a time."

Manchester United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward paid tribute to Foulkes, saying: "Bill was a giant character in the post-war history of the club. He was a very gentle man who I was privileged to meet on several occasions, including most memorably with his team-mates at the Champions League final in Moscow, 50 years after his heroics in the Munich air crash.

"Bill's contribution over almost 700 games and nearly 20 years will never be forgotten."

United defender Rio Ferdinand wrote on Twitter that Foulkes was a "great servant to the club."

Foulkes, who began his working life as a coal miner, tried his hand at management both in the United States and in non-league English football, but he will best be remembered wearing the red shirt of Manchester United during the 1950s and 1960s.


Source: skysports.com


RIP Bill. A true legend!]]>
The central defender, who survived the 1958 Munich disaster, collected four League Championship medals, while also enjoying victories in two Wembley finals - the FA Cup of 1963 and the European Cup five years later.

Although not a prolific goalscorer during his 18-year career at Old Trafford, one of his finest moments came against Real Madrid in the semi-finals of United's European Cup winning season of 1967/68.

With the score 3-3 on aggregate at the Bernabeu, Foulkes - then 36 - made a rare journey upfield to latch onto George Best's pass and score the goal that sent the Red Devils into the final against Benfica who they beat 4-1 after extra-time.

Foulkes, who made his first-team debut against Liverpool in 1952, also won one England cap which came two years later at the age of 22 against Northern Ireland.

He played 688 games for the club - in all competitions - scoring nine goals before calling time on his career in the summer of 1970.

But 12 years earlier, the St Helens-born Foulkes walked virtually uninjured from the plane crash in Germany that claimed the lives of so many of his team-mates.

Many years later Foulkes said of the tragic accident on that icy runway in Munich: "It was obvious that we would struggle to take off and they took the chance.

"They should never have done that. I don't feel guilty about being a survivor. I was just damned lucky.

"But I do harbour this feeling that it wasn't necessary, that angers me. It cost the club, it cost the country so much."

And former teammate Sir Bobby Charlton is saddened by the news, and paid tribute to Foulkes by saying: "He was as hard as nails, as tough as teak - I was always glad I didn't have to play against him.

"He was a really, really good defensive player and you could say he helped change the course of history for United.

"He survived the Munich air crash (as did Charlton) and then became the captain for a time."

Manchester United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward paid tribute to Foulkes, saying: "Bill was a giant character in the post-war history of the club. He was a very gentle man who I was privileged to meet on several occasions, including most memorably with his team-mates at the Champions League final in Moscow, 50 years after his heroics in the Munich air crash.

"Bill's contribution over almost 700 games and nearly 20 years will never be forgotten."

United defender Rio Ferdinand wrote on Twitter that Foulkes was a "great servant to the club."

Foulkes, who began his working life as a coal miner, tried his hand at management both in the United States and in non-league English football, but he will best be remembered wearing the red shirt of Manchester United during the 1950s and 1960s.


Source: skysports.com


RIP Bill. A true legend!]]> <![CDATA[Favourite anthem?]]> https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Favourite-anthem Thu, 14 Nov 2013 06:11:46 +0000 https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Favourite-anthem
Takes me back to my child hood days!

Love it]]>
Takes me back to my child hood days!

Love it]]> <![CDATA[How long have you been a Manchester United fan?]]> https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-How-long-have-you-been-a-Manchester-United-fan Fri, 01 Nov 2013 19:09:40 +0000 https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-How-long-have-you-been-a-Manchester-United-fan
How about you? Already changed shirts? Manchester from the beginning?
How did it happen?]]>
How about you? Already changed shirts? Manchester from the beginning?
How did it happen?]]> <![CDATA[When Home Park was Manchester United's Home Ground]]> https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-When-Home-Park-was-Manchester-United-s-Home-Ground Wed, 30 Oct 2013 12:53:24 +0000 https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-When-Home-Park-was-Manchester-United-s-Home-Ground
It was over 30 years ago that Plymouth Argyle's Home Park stadium staged one of the biggest games in its history when Manchester United played St Etienne in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

October 5th 1977 was the day when European football came to Plymouth although it wasn't Argyle in action but Manchester United and French side St Etienne who graced the Home Park turf!

So why were two top European teams playing in Plymouth?

Manchester United qualified for the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup competition after winning the FA Cup the previous season. The Red Devils were drawn to play against St Etienne and travelled to France for the first-round first-leg game.

United held on for a 1-1 draw but crowd trouble disrupted the match with riot police being deployed to quell the fighting between the two sets of fans.
Dave Sexton's side were severely punished by UEFA and were briefly thrown out of competition but were then reinstated and ordered to play their 'home' leg at least 200 miles from Old Trafford.

Argyle's Home Park stadium was chosen with the match taking place on October 5th 1977 with today being the 30th anniversary of that historic match.

Striker Stuart Pearson gave United a first half lead with winger Steve Coppell adding another goal midway through the second half to ensure Manchester beat St Etienne 2-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate to progress into the second round.

United crashed out of the Cup Winners' Cup in the next round, losing 6-5 on aggregate over two games to FC Porto.

Will Home Park ever see another European cup tie?

Read more: http://www.plymouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/...z2jD3IfVzp


[Image: %24(KGrHqNHJF!FIpyK(!JvBSLFK!JSUw~~60_35.JPG]
[Image: MAP1587.jpg]
]]>
It was over 30 years ago that Plymouth Argyle's Home Park stadium staged one of the biggest games in its history when Manchester United played St Etienne in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

October 5th 1977 was the day when European football came to Plymouth although it wasn't Argyle in action but Manchester United and French side St Etienne who graced the Home Park turf!

So why were two top European teams playing in Plymouth?

Manchester United qualified for the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup competition after winning the FA Cup the previous season. The Red Devils were drawn to play against St Etienne and travelled to France for the first-round first-leg game.

United held on for a 1-1 draw but crowd trouble disrupted the match with riot police being deployed to quell the fighting between the two sets of fans.
Dave Sexton's side were severely punished by UEFA and were briefly thrown out of competition but were then reinstated and ordered to play their 'home' leg at least 200 miles from Old Trafford.

Argyle's Home Park stadium was chosen with the match taking place on October 5th 1977 with today being the 30th anniversary of that historic match.

Striker Stuart Pearson gave United a first half lead with winger Steve Coppell adding another goal midway through the second half to ensure Manchester beat St Etienne 2-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate to progress into the second round.

United crashed out of the Cup Winners' Cup in the next round, losing 6-5 on aggregate over two games to FC Porto.

Will Home Park ever see another European cup tie?

Read more: http://www.plymouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/...z2jD3IfVzp


[Image: %24(KGrHqNHJF!FIpyK(!JvBSLFK!JSUw~~60_35.JPG]
[Image: MAP1587.jpg]
]]> <![CDATA[When Anfield was Manchester United's Home Ground]]> https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-When-Anfield-was-Manchester-United-s-Home-Ground Mon, 28 Oct 2013 20:43:13 +0000 https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-When-Anfield-was-Manchester-United-s-Home-Ground
On Friday 20 August 1971 a team wearing red walked out at Anfield to rapturous applause from supporters bedecked in red and white scarves and standing on the Spion Kop. Their opponents were Arsenal, who had beaten Bill Shankly's side 2-1 in the FA Cup final to secure the double in May of the same year. But the home side were not Liverpool. They were Manchester United.

Hidden deep within the pages of football's dustiest history books lurks a dark secret – or so it appears. The club that now boasts 18 league titles, the same number as Liverpool, could once call Anfield its home, just as Liverpool's great city rivals Everton did in the 1880s. In 1971, with United banned from playing their first two home matches in Manchester, after hooligans had thrown knives into the away section at a match at the end of the previous season, their opening "home" games would be played at Anfield and Stoke's Victoria Ground.

But so forgotten is this forgotten story that even some Manchester United players who took part in the 3-1 victory over Arsenal cannot remember doing so.

A lethargic first-half performance by a United side still trying to find its feet under a new manager, Frank O'Farrell, following Matt Busby's departure in June 1971, found themselves trailing to a fourth-minute Frank McLintock strike. United would enjoy a stirring comeback in the second half thanks to George Best's growing influence, which led to an equaliser deftly lifted over Arsenal's goalkeeper, Bob Wilson, by Alan Gowling. A United goal at Anfield celebrated by the home fans must be among the rarest things in football. So such a memorable occasion would be dear to Gowling, wouldn't it?

"I can't remember," he says. "Who did we play?" I remind him that it was Arsenal. "United played a home match at Anfield? Give over," he says, incredulous. So inconceivable does it seem that one can almost understand Gowling's reaction, but a picture in the Guardian of 21 August, 1971 clearly shows him leaping over Wilson to celebrate his goal, scored at the Anfield Road End.

Would David Sadler, who commanded United's defence, recall the occasion?

"Was I playing?" he says. "I just can't remember. Alex [Stepney, the Manchester United goalkeeper] might recall it. He's better at remembering matches than me."

Stepney tipped a shot from the diminutive Arsenal winger George Armstrong against the bar at the Kop end in the second half to keep United in the game at 1-1. Did he enjoy being the only Manchester United goalkeeper in history to feel the full support of United's fans emanating from the Kop?

"I vaguely remember that we had to play two games away from Old Trafford, but I can't recall that match," says Stepney, who made over 400 appearances for United. Perhaps there's some kind of conspiracy to hide the truth.

"I thought I'd only ever won one match at Anfield, when we beat Liverpool 4-1 [in December 1969] – so I can add a second win now," he says. "The only one I remember playing away from home was when we played a home match at Plymouth [Uefa banned United from playing their home leg of a Cup Winners' Cup match against St Etienne within 200km of Manchester, following crowd trouble during a 1-1 draw in France in 1977]."

The Manchester United captain, Bobby Charlton, scored his team's second goal at the Anfield Road End with a free-kick curled around the wall and into the left-hand corner of the net. Brian Kidd, who is now Manchester City's assistant manager, wrapped things up with a goal in the dying minutes.

One man who can just about recall the match is the "Voice of Anfield", George Sephton, Liverpool's stadium announcer who had started the job a week before. "I can still see the half-empty ground," he says. "It was spooky. I had just started, it was an extra match, it was Friday night so a bit of peace and quiet, I thought."

And what of Liverpool's famous anthem? Surely United's players didn't run out as the home team at Anfield to "You'll Never Walk Alone"?

"It was only the third game in my career," says Sephton. "I couldn't swear on the bible but I'm almost certain I didn't play 'You'll Never Walk Alone' at the game. It's been 'our' song since 1963! It was weird because Anfield felt like a neutral ground but from my perspective I was just happy that I had an extra couple of quid in my pocket because I was young, just married and was saving up for a house.

"I don't remember any trouble on the night. The enmity with United wasn't as bad in those days as it is now so it was nice to turn up and watch a game which you weren't bothered about in terms of the result. If it happened nowadays of course, I'd be cheering Arsenal on. But now they would just play the match behind closed doors."

The FA's decision to send United to play at Anfield in the wake of a hooliganism incident seems hare-brained now, but at the time hooliganism happened at most games and in any case, as the former Liverpool club secretary Peter Robinson, who helped organise the fixture, explained last year, the animosity didn't exist as it does today.

"When I started at Liverpool in the 1960s the great rivals were always Everton," said Robinson. "The rivalry has changed. It turned into Manchester United when they had this terrific emergence but before that I can remember them being relegated [in 1974] and having some really difficult times. I can also remember United supporters standing in the Kop. It wouldn't happen today, would it?"

The rivalry between groups of hooligans was still fierce however, even if the antipathy felt between real football supporters of both sides was not, and the front page of the Guardian the morning after the match carried the usual depressing news of trouble. "About 100 fans" were ejected from Anfield, according to the report, the windows of some houses in Anfield were smashed and "600 skinheads" were said to have been "kept in check" by police after throwing bricks at the United supporters as they were frogmarched back to Lime Street station and on to trains back to Manchester.

The Guardian correspondent Eric Todd's match report brimmed with frustration at the behaviour of the fans in the Kop and of the wider trouble that was prevalent in football in the 1970s.

"Once again, certain sections of the crowd, whatever their places of origin were the villains of the piece," he wrote. "And those psychiatrists, amateur or professional who spend many hours trying to explore the minds – the word is used quite loosely of course – of certain members of the footballing public would have enjoyed last night.

"As soon as the teams arrived on the field the Kop vomited scores of young 'supporters' of both sexes who ran down the field to the end where United were warming up. The police, although hopelessly outnumbered, did their best and removed as many as they could capture. When the invaders discovered that United would attack the Kop end they retraced their steps and suffered further losses."

United would suffer further losses too. Liverpool were given 15% of the gate receipts from the 27,649 fans who attended the game and United were instructed by the FA to pay Arsenal compensation, as the gate was below the 48,000 that attended the fixture at Old Trafford the previous year. (Until the 1980s, gate receipts for league games were shared). Even Everton stood to benefit if the crowd at Goodison Park was below 46,000 the next day, for their match against Sheffield United.

You can stop whispering now. The secret is out

[Image: man-united-anfield.jpg]
]]>
On Friday 20 August 1971 a team wearing red walked out at Anfield to rapturous applause from supporters bedecked in red and white scarves and standing on the Spion Kop. Their opponents were Arsenal, who had beaten Bill Shankly's side 2-1 in the FA Cup final to secure the double in May of the same year. But the home side were not Liverpool. They were Manchester United.

Hidden deep within the pages of football's dustiest history books lurks a dark secret – or so it appears. The club that now boasts 18 league titles, the same number as Liverpool, could once call Anfield its home, just as Liverpool's great city rivals Everton did in the 1880s. In 1971, with United banned from playing their first two home matches in Manchester, after hooligans had thrown knives into the away section at a match at the end of the previous season, their opening "home" games would be played at Anfield and Stoke's Victoria Ground.

But so forgotten is this forgotten story that even some Manchester United players who took part in the 3-1 victory over Arsenal cannot remember doing so.

A lethargic first-half performance by a United side still trying to find its feet under a new manager, Frank O'Farrell, following Matt Busby's departure in June 1971, found themselves trailing to a fourth-minute Frank McLintock strike. United would enjoy a stirring comeback in the second half thanks to George Best's growing influence, which led to an equaliser deftly lifted over Arsenal's goalkeeper, Bob Wilson, by Alan Gowling. A United goal at Anfield celebrated by the home fans must be among the rarest things in football. So such a memorable occasion would be dear to Gowling, wouldn't it?

"I can't remember," he says. "Who did we play?" I remind him that it was Arsenal. "United played a home match at Anfield? Give over," he says, incredulous. So inconceivable does it seem that one can almost understand Gowling's reaction, but a picture in the Guardian of 21 August, 1971 clearly shows him leaping over Wilson to celebrate his goal, scored at the Anfield Road End.

Would David Sadler, who commanded United's defence, recall the occasion?

"Was I playing?" he says. "I just can't remember. Alex [Stepney, the Manchester United goalkeeper] might recall it. He's better at remembering matches than me."

Stepney tipped a shot from the diminutive Arsenal winger George Armstrong against the bar at the Kop end in the second half to keep United in the game at 1-1. Did he enjoy being the only Manchester United goalkeeper in history to feel the full support of United's fans emanating from the Kop?

"I vaguely remember that we had to play two games away from Old Trafford, but I can't recall that match," says Stepney, who made over 400 appearances for United. Perhaps there's some kind of conspiracy to hide the truth.

"I thought I'd only ever won one match at Anfield, when we beat Liverpool 4-1 [in December 1969] – so I can add a second win now," he says. "The only one I remember playing away from home was when we played a home match at Plymouth [Uefa banned United from playing their home leg of a Cup Winners' Cup match against St Etienne within 200km of Manchester, following crowd trouble during a 1-1 draw in France in 1977]."

The Manchester United captain, Bobby Charlton, scored his team's second goal at the Anfield Road End with a free-kick curled around the wall and into the left-hand corner of the net. Brian Kidd, who is now Manchester City's assistant manager, wrapped things up with a goal in the dying minutes.

One man who can just about recall the match is the "Voice of Anfield", George Sephton, Liverpool's stadium announcer who had started the job a week before. "I can still see the half-empty ground," he says. "It was spooky. I had just started, it was an extra match, it was Friday night so a bit of peace and quiet, I thought."

And what of Liverpool's famous anthem? Surely United's players didn't run out as the home team at Anfield to "You'll Never Walk Alone"?

"It was only the third game in my career," says Sephton. "I couldn't swear on the bible but I'm almost certain I didn't play 'You'll Never Walk Alone' at the game. It's been 'our' song since 1963! It was weird because Anfield felt like a neutral ground but from my perspective I was just happy that I had an extra couple of quid in my pocket because I was young, just married and was saving up for a house.

"I don't remember any trouble on the night. The enmity with United wasn't as bad in those days as it is now so it was nice to turn up and watch a game which you weren't bothered about in terms of the result. If it happened nowadays of course, I'd be cheering Arsenal on. But now they would just play the match behind closed doors."

The FA's decision to send United to play at Anfield in the wake of a hooliganism incident seems hare-brained now, but at the time hooliganism happened at most games and in any case, as the former Liverpool club secretary Peter Robinson, who helped organise the fixture, explained last year, the animosity didn't exist as it does today.

"When I started at Liverpool in the 1960s the great rivals were always Everton," said Robinson. "The rivalry has changed. It turned into Manchester United when they had this terrific emergence but before that I can remember them being relegated [in 1974] and having some really difficult times. I can also remember United supporters standing in the Kop. It wouldn't happen today, would it?"

The rivalry between groups of hooligans was still fierce however, even if the antipathy felt between real football supporters of both sides was not, and the front page of the Guardian the morning after the match carried the usual depressing news of trouble. "About 100 fans" were ejected from Anfield, according to the report, the windows of some houses in Anfield were smashed and "600 skinheads" were said to have been "kept in check" by police after throwing bricks at the United supporters as they were frogmarched back to Lime Street station and on to trains back to Manchester.

The Guardian correspondent Eric Todd's match report brimmed with frustration at the behaviour of the fans in the Kop and of the wider trouble that was prevalent in football in the 1970s.

"Once again, certain sections of the crowd, whatever their places of origin were the villains of the piece," he wrote. "And those psychiatrists, amateur or professional who spend many hours trying to explore the minds – the word is used quite loosely of course – of certain members of the footballing public would have enjoyed last night.

"As soon as the teams arrived on the field the Kop vomited scores of young 'supporters' of both sexes who ran down the field to the end where United were warming up. The police, although hopelessly outnumbered, did their best and removed as many as they could capture. When the invaders discovered that United would attack the Kop end they retraced their steps and suffered further losses."

United would suffer further losses too. Liverpool were given 15% of the gate receipts from the 27,649 fans who attended the game and United were instructed by the FA to pay Arsenal compensation, as the gate was below the 48,000 that attended the fixture at Old Trafford the previous year. (Until the 1980s, gate receipts for league games were shared). Even Everton stood to benefit if the crowd at Goodison Park was below 46,000 the next day, for their match against Sheffield United.

You can stop whispering now. The secret is out

[Image: man-united-anfield.jpg]
]]> <![CDATA[Where Did You First See United?]]> https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Where-Did-You-First-See-United Mon, 28 Oct 2013 20:19:15 +0000 https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Where-Did-You-First-See-United
Of course, some of our younger members may even have seen their first United game in glorious HD colour!

But never mind. Share your earliest memories here.]]>
Of course, some of our younger members may even have seen their first United game in glorious HD colour!

But never mind. Share your earliest memories here.]]> <![CDATA[Sad News: Former United Star, Brian Greenhoff Dies]]> https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Sad-News-Former-United-Star-Brian-Greenhoff-Dies Thu, 23 May 2013 11:51:36 +0000 https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Sad-News-Former-United-Star-Brian-Greenhoff-Dies
Quote:Former Manchester United and England star Brian Greenhoff has died aged 60.

Greenhoff, who was born in Barnsley, joined United in 1968 and played in the same team as his brother Jimmy, who joined the club in 1976.

The central defender, capped 18 times for his country, scored 17 goals in 271 appearances for United and was part of the victorious FA Cup final team of 1977.

He joined Leeds United in 1979 but left when they were relegated three years later.

After brief spells in South Africa and Finland he returned to play for and coach Rochdale before calling time on his football career in 1983.

Manchester United said on their website:"Everyone at Manchester United is shocked and deeply saddened by the news. Our thoughts and prayers are with Brian's family at this difficult time."

Earlier a statement had been released to the Manchester Evening News by Greenhoff's family that said: "We regret to inform of Brian's passing this morning.

"Brian was a proud and much loved brother, husband of Maureen, father of Paul, Brian and Peter, grandfather to Jack, James and Harry and will be sorely missed by his family, who he made very proud in his distinguished life and career."

I remember listening on my radio to the United games in the 70s and being fascinated as a kid that brothers made it to play together at the same great side.

RIP Brian]]>
Quote:Former Manchester United and England star Brian Greenhoff has died aged 60.

Greenhoff, who was born in Barnsley, joined United in 1968 and played in the same team as his brother Jimmy, who joined the club in 1976.

The central defender, capped 18 times for his country, scored 17 goals in 271 appearances for United and was part of the victorious FA Cup final team of 1977.

He joined Leeds United in 1979 but left when they were relegated three years later.

After brief spells in South Africa and Finland he returned to play for and coach Rochdale before calling time on his football career in 1983.

Manchester United said on their website:"Everyone at Manchester United is shocked and deeply saddened by the news. Our thoughts and prayers are with Brian's family at this difficult time."

Earlier a statement had been released to the Manchester Evening News by Greenhoff's family that said: "We regret to inform of Brian's passing this morning.

"Brian was a proud and much loved brother, husband of Maureen, father of Paul, Brian and Peter, grandfather to Jack, James and Harry and will be sorely missed by his family, who he made very proud in his distinguished life and career."

I remember listening on my radio to the United games in the 70s and being fascinated as a kid that brothers made it to play together at the same great side.

RIP Brian]]> <![CDATA[Nobby Stiles - My Favourite United Player!]]> https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Nobby-Stiles-My-Favourite-United-Player Sat, 16 Oct 2010 12:09:11 +0000 https://manutdpeople.com/Thread-Nobby-Stiles-My-Favourite-United-Player
Nobby Stiles



Being a Manchester United fan I find it difficult to pick out just one player as my favourite. We (as 'United' supporters) are so fortunate, our club having been blessed with so many football greats over the years :~ Best : Cantona : Charlton : Edwards : Giggs : Keane : Law : Robson : Ronaldo : Schmeichel :
and many, many more. However this time I'm going for one other, a midfield player with almost 400 starts for 'United' and who did every bit as much for our team as Peter Schmeichel or Dennis Law.
I'm talking of Norbert Stiles, or 'Nobby' as he was more affectionally known, who played for United from 1959 until 1971.

Nobby was born 1942 in North Manchester and started his 'Red Devils' apprenticeship at the age of 15, that same year he had played for 'England Schoolboys' where his true potential became obvious for all to see.
The diminutive Styles (5'6"-ish) was hampered from early in his career by being extremely shortsighted and so, to get the best from him on the pitch, strong contact lenses were needed. Off the pitch the heavily bespectacled Stiles would have, in those days, been quite the antithesis to todays David Beckham for, apart from being shortsighted and small of stature, he sported a tooth gapped grin and showed early signs of a balding head, complete with combover.
A hairstyle that proved to be very popular and quickly taken up by fellow teammate and 1960's pin-up boy Bobby Charlton.

Nobby was possibly the forerunner of todays 'Holding Midfield' player. He was a great reader of the game with the added ability to hold up the ball whenever needed. A fearless and tenacious tackler, whatever he lacked for in height he made up for with heart.
In fact I believe that Paul Scholes, in his book 'The Complete Art of Tackling', gave Nobby due credit as being "the man he had based his whole career on". Wink
(Unfortunately for Paul, that style of tackling went out 20 years previously.)

Nobby won several honour during his 11+ years at 'Old Trafford', they were :~
The First Divi­sion Title in 1965 & 1967 ;
The FA Charity Shield in 1965 (A draw: Honours shared with 'The Bin Dippers') & 1967 ;
and The European Cup in 1968.

Undoubtably though, he will best be remembered for his performances, both on and off the field of play, at the 1966 World Cup. Here Nobby won his 15th Senior Cap as England began their campaign, a goalless draw against Uraguay. Keeping his place as the home side progressed through the competition he probably played his best game while picking up his 20th Cap when England were drawn against Portugal in the semifinals.
Eusébio, their playmaker,and most prolific goal scorer, found that in Nobby he had well and truly met a man at the top of his game. He struggled to stamp his mark on the game, rarely managing to outwit Nobby's consummate abilities and hard (though at times unorthodox) tackling throughout the whole of the match. 'The Black Pearl' ended the game with just a penalty to his name as England ran out the 2 - 1 winners.
This was a performance that Nobby was to recreate, (although to perhaps a lesser extent) two years later against Benfica as United lifted The European Cup in 1968.
(We were 4 - 1 winners after extra time.)

After winning the Final (a result disputed even to this day) against West Germany, the pitch-side celebrations of the England team were to be made even more memorable by the sight of Nobby doing a totally involuntary jig, holding the World Cup aloft on the top of his head with one hand while his false teeth were singing 'We Won The Cup' in his other hand. A scene never to be forgotten and still sung about almost half a century later.

After having picked up his '66 World Cup winners medal Nobby was to add just 3 more England Caps to his total before his career began to wind down. However, Alf Ramsay did pick him for the 1970 World Cup but it was only as an understudy to Alan Mullery, unfortunately he wasn't called upon as England gave up their title in the quarterfinals and Stiles was never picked for his country again.

[Image: NobbyAge29ShortlyafterleavingUnited.png]

Nobby, (Age 29) Shortly after leaving United.

In 1971 Manchester United sold Nobby to Middlesborough, where he moved on 2 years later to become Player/Coach for Bobby Charlton at Preston North End.
With things not working out for Charlton, 1977 saw Nobby take over from him as fulltime manager, successfully taking them to promotion in the '77/'78 season from the Third to the Second Division.

Leaving PNE in 1981 for the (then) trendy and lucrative North American Soccer League Stiles was to spend the following 3 years as coach to the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Nobby left Canada and the NASL in September '85 for the English Midlands where his last fling at football management would see him spend a truly forgettable time at the helm of West Bromwich Albion. On leaving the Midlands after just 5 short months, with only three wins and the onset of depression to show for his time there, Nobby finally closed the door on his footballing career ......
Until 1989 that is, when Manchester United came calling once again with a position of Youth Team Coach to fill .
...... and the rest is history.

Between 1989 and 1993 Nobby worked hard, helping to develop and bring to the fore the appreciable and significant skills of 6 teenagers who were to become the celebrated and talented nucleus of the Manchester United First Team for years to come.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nobby Facts
  • Nobby received just £1000 for his World Cup Appearances.
    Of that £1000, the government took £400 from him in Income Tax.

  • Stiles is one of only three Englishmen to have won both World & European Cup Final Medals.
    (The others .... Bobby Charlton & Ian Callaghan)

  • Nobby was elected to football’s 'Hall of Fame' in 2007

  • In 2000 Nobby was decorated, alongside Alan Ball, Roger Hunt, Ray Wilson and George Cohen, with the MBE.

Nobby Myths
  • Stiles was a keen guitarist, a close friend of Syd Barrett (of Pink Floyd). In the late '60's, the two were often to be found 'jamming' together.

    (Don't believe me ? ..... Google it, and see.)
]]>
Nobby Stiles



Being a Manchester United fan I find it difficult to pick out just one player as my favourite. We (as 'United' supporters) are so fortunate, our club having been blessed with so many football greats over the years :~ Best : Cantona : Charlton : Edwards : Giggs : Keane : Law : Robson : Ronaldo : Schmeichel :
and many, many more. However this time I'm going for one other, a midfield player with almost 400 starts for 'United' and who did every bit as much for our team as Peter Schmeichel or Dennis Law.
I'm talking of Norbert Stiles, or 'Nobby' as he was more affectionally known, who played for United from 1959 until 1971.

Nobby was born 1942 in North Manchester and started his 'Red Devils' apprenticeship at the age of 15, that same year he had played for 'England Schoolboys' where his true potential became obvious for all to see.
The diminutive Styles (5'6"-ish) was hampered from early in his career by being extremely shortsighted and so, to get the best from him on the pitch, strong contact lenses were needed. Off the pitch the heavily bespectacled Stiles would have, in those days, been quite the antithesis to todays David Beckham for, apart from being shortsighted and small of stature, he sported a tooth gapped grin and showed early signs of a balding head, complete with combover.
A hairstyle that proved to be very popular and quickly taken up by fellow teammate and 1960's pin-up boy Bobby Charlton.

Nobby was possibly the forerunner of todays 'Holding Midfield' player. He was a great reader of the game with the added ability to hold up the ball whenever needed. A fearless and tenacious tackler, whatever he lacked for in height he made up for with heart.
In fact I believe that Paul Scholes, in his book 'The Complete Art of Tackling', gave Nobby due credit as being "the man he had based his whole career on". Wink
(Unfortunately for Paul, that style of tackling went out 20 years previously.)

Nobby won several honour during his 11+ years at 'Old Trafford', they were :~
The First Divi­sion Title in 1965 & 1967 ;
The FA Charity Shield in 1965 (A draw: Honours shared with 'The Bin Dippers') & 1967 ;
and The European Cup in 1968.

Undoubtably though, he will best be remembered for his performances, both on and off the field of play, at the 1966 World Cup. Here Nobby won his 15th Senior Cap as England began their campaign, a goalless draw against Uraguay. Keeping his place as the home side progressed through the competition he probably played his best game while picking up his 20th Cap when England were drawn against Portugal in the semifinals.
Eusébio, their playmaker,and most prolific goal scorer, found that in Nobby he had well and truly met a man at the top of his game. He struggled to stamp his mark on the game, rarely managing to outwit Nobby's consummate abilities and hard (though at times unorthodox) tackling throughout the whole of the match. 'The Black Pearl' ended the game with just a penalty to his name as England ran out the 2 - 1 winners.
This was a performance that Nobby was to recreate, (although to perhaps a lesser extent) two years later against Benfica as United lifted The European Cup in 1968.
(We were 4 - 1 winners after extra time.)

After winning the Final (a result disputed even to this day) against West Germany, the pitch-side celebrations of the England team were to be made even more memorable by the sight of Nobby doing a totally involuntary jig, holding the World Cup aloft on the top of his head with one hand while his false teeth were singing 'We Won The Cup' in his other hand. A scene never to be forgotten and still sung about almost half a century later.

After having picked up his '66 World Cup winners medal Nobby was to add just 3 more England Caps to his total before his career began to wind down. However, Alf Ramsay did pick him for the 1970 World Cup but it was only as an understudy to Alan Mullery, unfortunately he wasn't called upon as England gave up their title in the quarterfinals and Stiles was never picked for his country again.

[Image: NobbyAge29ShortlyafterleavingUnited.png]

Nobby, (Age 29) Shortly after leaving United.

In 1971 Manchester United sold Nobby to Middlesborough, where he moved on 2 years later to become Player/Coach for Bobby Charlton at Preston North End.
With things not working out for Charlton, 1977 saw Nobby take over from him as fulltime manager, successfully taking them to promotion in the '77/'78 season from the Third to the Second Division.

Leaving PNE in 1981 for the (then) trendy and lucrative North American Soccer League Stiles was to spend the following 3 years as coach to the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Nobby left Canada and the NASL in September '85 for the English Midlands where his last fling at football management would see him spend a truly forgettable time at the helm of West Bromwich Albion. On leaving the Midlands after just 5 short months, with only three wins and the onset of depression to show for his time there, Nobby finally closed the door on his footballing career ......
Until 1989 that is, when Manchester United came calling once again with a position of Youth Team Coach to fill .
...... and the rest is history.

Between 1989 and 1993 Nobby worked hard, helping to develop and bring to the fore the appreciable and significant skills of 6 teenagers who were to become the celebrated and talented nucleus of the Manchester United First Team for years to come.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nobby Facts
  • Nobby received just £1000 for his World Cup Appearances.
    Of that £1000, the government took £400 from him in Income Tax.

  • Stiles is one of only three Englishmen to have won both World & European Cup Final Medals.
    (The others .... Bobby Charlton & Ian Callaghan)

  • Nobby was elected to football’s 'Hall of Fame' in 2007

  • In 2000 Nobby was decorated, alongside Alan Ball, Roger Hunt, Ray Wilson and George Cohen, with the MBE.

Nobby Myths
  • Stiles was a keen guitarist, a close friend of Syd Barrett (of Pink Floyd). In the late '60's, the two were often to be found 'jamming' together.

    (Don't believe me ? ..... Google it, and see.)
]]>