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| Sir Alex Ferguson with the great Sir Matt Busby |
I've been a Manchester United fan all my life and believe me when
I say it; no feeling comes close to matching the United way of life. A club
seen by rival fans (and even some so-called 'fans') as a bully, I've seen more
fake United fans, who support the club only because they're successful, than
true ones. Jealously, that's all I can say. Manchester United are a club with
as humble a background as any (not one with dogs biting people in a pub). In
the early and middle 19th century, North Road in Manchester was off everybody's
compasses, but in 1878 it was at the very epicenter of change. A mere thirty
years previously this part of Manchester was nothing but open heathlands
stretching to the Pennines. It was in these grim surroundings that Newton Heath
LYR FC (renamed Manchester United in 1902) was born - The club of Taylor,
Edwards and Colman, of Best, Law and Charlton, of Cantona, Beckham and Giggs.
Newton Heath initially comprised of railway men from all over Britain and was soon
Manchester's most successful club. All ties with the Lancashire & Yorkshire
Railway officials, who refused to fund the clubs developmental projects, were
soon severed. What's more when the Football League decided to split into two
divisions, Newton Heath were placed in the first division with Ardwick
Association FC (later renamed Manchester City, who last won a trophy in 1976)
placed in Division Two. Today even though North Road in Manchester is a
bustling district, there is not a sign anywhere which indicates that the
world's greatest sporting franchise had its roots there.
From the humble beginnings in 1878 to the Munich
Air Disaster in 1958, From financial trouble in the early 1900's to European
Glory in 1968. From relegation to Division Two in 1974, to becoming World
Champions in 2008, we've witnessed both sweet and bittersweet memories. We've
seen both glory and relegation albeit the former was more abundant.
The story of Manchester United is largely the
story of three men and their title winning teams - the late Ernest Magnall, the
late, great Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson, United manager since November
1986. These three men led United to their Eighteen (now Nineteen) League Titles and eight of
their eleven FA Cups. (Both of which are records; United used to share the League
record with Liverpool, but have now surpassed them)
Manchester United was right up there with the best
in the world the most famous team being the title winning side of 1955/56 and
1956/57. The Busby Babes as they were called were like the Arsenal of today
only much better. Fortune seemed to favour the youthful side until that
ill-fated day, the 6th of February 1958, when eight players were killed after
the team aeroplane failed to take off and crashed at Munich Airport.
"Manchester United had become more than just a football team." so
said the Manchester News Chronicle. For the players who died, their reputation
was forever secured. They died young and carefree, about to conquer the world.
The tragedy at Munich was the reason why several people began to follow the club
out of sympathy. What added to the poignancy of the loss was the comeback.
Manchester United didn't die in the slush of Munich. They were resurrected like
a phoenix. With upper lips stiffened, chins raised and backs braced they
rebuilt and recovered. Manchester United did not concede defeat. A heavily
patched up team made it to the FA Cup final that year only to lose to a Nat
Lofthouse inspired Bolton.
A decade after Munich, having reassembled the
team, Sir Matt Busby won the Holy Grail - the European Cup. Sir Matt, together
with Munich survivors Bill Foulkes and one (Sir) Bobby Charlton, united in
bittersweet triumph in memory of fallen friends and colleagues. United were
kings of Europe at last, the first team from England and the second from
Britain. It was during this renaissance that the world was introduced to the
King Of Old Trafford, Denis Law who racked up 237 goals in 404 games. Charlton,
Law and Belfast boy wonder, George Best formed the famous United Trinity that
entertained fans for years.
Manchester United are the Premier League era's
most successful team and are amongst the seven teams that have never been
relegated during the same period. Twelve Premier Leagues, Four FA Cups, Three
League Cups, Two European Cups, A Club World Cup, An Intercontinental Cup and
Eight Community Shields all made their way to Old Trafford during this short
time.
The dawn of the Premier League saw the arrival of
Eric Cantona for a princely sum of £1.2million. The second King of the Old
Trafford led his army of youngsters amongst them David Beckham, Nicky Butt,
Ryan Giggs, the 'Ginger Prince' Paul Scholes and brothers Gary and Phil
Neville. Quoth Liverpool legend Alan Hansen, "You'll never win anything
with kids." I bet he eats his own words year after year.
Nothing can or will ever come close to 1998/99 season, the treble
year. United were champions of England and Europe as well as winners of the FA
Cup and no one will ever win the European Cup in such dramatic fashion again!
United had ended the millennium as World Champions after lifting the
Intercontinental Cup, truly those were happy times.
The last couple of years have been fabulous. From
recapturing the Premier League in 2006/07 after three years of near misses to
John Terry's famous slip in Moscow in 2008 which handed us our third European
Cup, from the departure of Ronaldo to the arrival of Chicharito, who at the
time of writing had scored sixteen in his debut season.
There is a buzz in the hearts of United fans like
me. The feeling that something big is on the cards, something quite similar to
1998/99. Needless to say the Glazers must go and take all their debts with
them. There is no room in United's heritage for people like them. Instead of
helping the club, the Glazer family is slowly ruining the club, propelling us
to a debt close to £1billion; something that has to be done away
with. Change is required; it's high time we fans protest. With a talented crop of youngsters coming through the
ranks along with the charisma and presence of players: Rooney, Nani,
Valencia, Vidic to name a few, the future of the club looks bright as ever. It's an
exciting time to be a United Fan and I for one can't wait to see what the
future has in store.
All
together now: "Glory Glory Man United
And the Reds go marching on and on....."Photo Credits: http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_sow_experts__10/ept_sports_sow_experts-847369891-1279229903.jpg?ymPPRdDDj4l_PeSQ
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