Work From Home Jobs Gravesend
Manchester United F.C.
One of the most well known and successful football teams in the world
Manchester United Football Club is an English football club, based at the Old Trafford stadium in Trafford, Greater Manchester, and is arguably the most popular football club in the world, with over 330 million supporters worldwide almost 5% of the world's population. The club was a founding member of the Premier League in 1992, and has played in the top division of English football since 1938, with the exception of the 1974-75 season. Average attendances at the club have been higher than any other team in English football for all but six seasons since 196465.The club is the second most successful in the history of English football and by far the most successful of recent times, having won 20 major honours since the start of Alex Ferguson's reign as manager in November 1986. They are the Premier League's reigning champions, and have won England's top division 17 times, one short of Liverpool's record of 18 league titles. In 1968, they became the first English club to win the Eur...
History
Earlyyears(18781945)
TheclubwasformedasNewtonHeathL&YRF.C.in1878astheworksteamoftheLancashireandYorkshireRailwaydepotatNewtonHeath.Theclub'sshirtsweregreenandgoldhalves.Theyplayedonasmall, dilapidatedfieldonNorthRoad, nearthefuturesiteoftheManchesterPiccadillyrailwaystationforfifteenyears, beforemovingtoBankStreetinthenearbytownofClaytonin1893.TheclubhadenteredtheFootballLeaguethepreviousyearandbegantoseveritslinkswiththeraildepot, becominganindependentcompany, appointingaclubsecretaryanddroppingthe"L&YR"fromtheirnametobecomesimplyNewtonHeathF.C..Notlongafterwards, in1902, theclubnearedbankruptcy, withdebtsofover2, 500.Atonepoint, theirBankStreetgroundwasevenclosedbythebailiffs.[12]
Justbeforehavingtobeshutdownforgood, theclubreceivedasizeableinvestmentfromJ.H.Davies, themanagingdirectorofManchesterBreweries.[13].LegendgoesthatHarryStafford, theclubcaptain, wasshowingoffhisprizedSt.Bernarddogataclubfund-raiser, whenDaviesapproachedhimtobuythedog.Stafforddeclined, butwasabletopersuadeDaviestoinvestintheclubandbecomeclubchairman.[14]Itwasdecidedatoneoftheearlyboardmeetingsthattheclubrequiredachangeofnametoreflectthefreshstarttheyhadbeenafforded.ManchesterCentralandManchesterCelticwereamongthenamessuggested, beforeLouisRocca, ayoungimmigrantfromItaly, said"Gentlemen, whydon'twecallourselvesManchesterUnited?"[15]Thenamestuck, andManchesterUnitedofficiallycameintoexistenceon26April1902.Daviesalsodecideditwouldbeappropriatetochangetheclub'scolours, abandoningthegreenandgoldhalvesofNewtonHeath, andpickingredandwhitetobethecoloursofManchesterUnited.
ErnestMangnallwasappointedasclubsecretaryafterJamesWesthadresignedasmanageron28September1902.MangnallwaschargedwithtryingtogettheclubintotheFirstDivision, andfelljustshortofthattargetatthefirstattempt, finishingin5thinDivisionTwo.Mangnalldecidedthatitwasnecessarytobringinsomefreshfacestotheclub, andsignedplayerssuchasHarryMogeringoal, DickDuckworthathalf-backandJohnPickenupfront, butitwasanothernewhalf-backbythenameofCharlieRobertswhomadethebiggestimpact.Hecosttheclubathen-record750fromGrimsbyTowninApril1904, andhelpedthemtoathirdplacefinishinthe190304season, justapointshortofthesecondpromotionplace.
Itwasnotlong, however, beforetheclubwasatlastpromotedtotheFirstDivisionforthefirsttimeundertheirnewname, finishinginsecondplaceinthe190506SecondDivision.Aseasonofconsolidationfollowed, withtheclubfinishingin8th, beforetheyfinallywontheirfirstleaguetitlein1908.ManchesterCityhadrecentlybeenunderinvestigationforpayingsomeoftheirplayersasalaryovertheamountallowedbyFAregulations.Theywerefined250andeighteenoftheirplayerswerebannedfromplayingforthemeveragain.Unitedwerequicktopounceonthesituation, pickingupBillyMeredith(theWelshWizard)andSandyTurnbull, amongstothers.ThenewboysfromacrosstownwereineligibletoplayuntilNewYear'sDay1907, duetotheirsuspension, soitwasleftuntilthe190708seasonforthemtomakeaproperimpactonUnited'sbidforthetitle.Andthattheydid, gettingthecampaignofftoastormingstart, witha21victoryoverSheffieldUnited, beginningarunoftenconsecutivevictories.Despiteashakyendtotheseason, Unitedmanagedtohangonandfinishedtheseasonninepointsaheadoftheirclosestrivals, AstonVilla.
ThefollowingseasonbeganwithUnitedpickingupanotherpieceofsilverware, thefirsteverCharityShield, [16]andendedwithanother, theclub'sfirstFACuptitle, sowingtheseedsforwhathasbecomearecordnumberofFACuptitles.Justastheywereintheclub'sfirsttitle-winningcampaign, TurnbullandMeredithwereinstrumentalinthisseason, TurnbullscoringthewinnerintheFACupFinal.Theclubhadtowaitanothertwoyearsbeforewinninganymoresilverware, winningtheFirstDivisionforthesecondtimeinthe191011season.Inthemeantime, UnitedmovedtotheirnewgroundatOldTrafford.Theyplayedtheirfirstgamethereon19February1910againstLiverpool, butlost43havingthrownawaya30lead.Theythenwenttrophylessagaininthe191112season, whichnotonlyprovedtobethelastwithMangnallincharge(hemovedtoManchesterCityaftertenyearswithUnited), butalsothelasttimetheclubwontheFirstDivisionfor41years, thelongesttheyhavegonewithoutwinningtheleagueintheirhistory.
Forthenexttenyears, theclubwentintoastateofgradualdeclinebeforebeingrelegatedbackdowntoDivisionTwoin1922.Theywerepromotedagainin1925, butstruggledtogetintothetophalfofthetable, andwererelegatedagainin1931.IntheeightyearsleadinguptotheSecondWorldWar, theclubbecamesomewhatofayo-yoclub, reachingtheirall-timelowestpositionof20thinDivisionTwoin1934.TheywerepromotedandrelegatedonceagainbeforebeingpromotedinthepenultimateseasonbeforetheSecondWorldWar.Theyguaranteedtheirplaceinthetopflightforafterthewarbyfinishingin14thinthe193839season.
TheBusbyyears(19451969)
1945sawtheappointmentofMattBusbytothemanager'spostatOldTrafford.Hetookanuncommonapproachtohisjob, insistingthathebeallowedtopickhisownteam, choosewhichplayerstosignanddirecttheteam'strainingsessionshimself.Hehadalreadymissedoutonthemanager'sjobathisformerclub, LiverpoolF.C., becausetheclubsawthosetasksasjobsforthedirectors, butUniteddecidedtotakeachanceonBusby'sinnovativeideas.Busby'sfirstsigningwasnotaplayer, butanewassistantmanagerbythenameofJimmyMurphy.TherisktheclubhadtakeninappointingBusbypaidimmediatedividends, withtheclubfinishingsecondintheleaguein1947, 1948and1949andwinningtheFACupin1948, thanksinparttothelocally-borntrioofStanPearson, JackRowleyandCharlieMitten(RowleyandPearsonbothscoredinthe1948CupFinal), aswellasthecentre-halffromtheNorth-East, AllenbyChilton.
CharlieMittenhadfledtoColombiainsearchofabettersalary, buttheremainderofUnited'soldheadsmanagedtowintheFirstDivisiontitlebackin1952.Busbyknew, however, thatfootballteamsrequiredmorethanjustexperienceintheside, andsoheadoptedapolicyofbringinginplayersfromtheyouthteamwheneverpossible.Atfirst, theyoungplayerssuchasRogerByrne, BillFoulkes, MarkJonesandDennisViollet, tooktimetobedthemselvesintotheside, slidingtoalowof8thplacein1953, buttheteamwontheleagueagainin1956withanaverageageofonly22, scoring103goalsintheprocess.TheyouthpolicysetinmotionbyBusbyhasnowbecomeahallmarkofthemostsuccessfulperiodsintheclub'shistory(themid-1950s, mid-to-late-1960sand1990s).Busby'soriginal"crop"ofyouthplayerswasreferredtoastheBusbyBabes, thejewelinthecrownofwhichwasawing-halfnamedDuncanEdwards.TheboyfromDudleyintheWestMidlandsmadehisUniteddbutattheageofjust16backin1953.ItwassaidthatEdwardscouldplayatanypositiononthefield, andmanywhosawhimplaysaidthathewasthegreatestplayerever.Thefollowingseason, 195657, theywontheleagueagainandreachedtheFACupfinal, losingtoAstonVilla.TheyalsobecamethefirstEnglishteamtocompeteintheEuropeanCup, atthebehestoftheFA, whohaddeniedChelseathesameopportunitythepreviousseason, andreachedthesemi-final, onlytobeknockedoutbyRealMadrid.Enroutetothesemi-final, Unitedalsorecordedawinthatstillstandsastheirbiggestwininallcompetitions, beatingBelgianchampionsAnderlecht100atMaineRoad.
Tragedystruckthefollowingseason, whentheplanecarryingtheteamhomefromaEuropeanCupmatchcrashedontake-offatarefuellingstopinMunich, Germany.TheMunichairdisasterof6February1958claimedthelivesofeightplayers-GeoffBent, RogerByrne, EddieColman, DuncanEdwards, MarkJones, DavidPegg, TommyTaylorandLiam"Billy"Whelan-andanotherfifteenpassengers, includingUnitedstaffmembersWalterCrickmer, BertWhalleyandTomCurry.[17]Therehadalreadybeentwoattemptedtake-offsbeforethefatalthird, whichwascausedbyabuild-upofslushattheendoftherunwayslowingtheplanedowntoaspeedinsufficientfortake-off.Theplaneskiddedofftheendoftherunway, throughafenceandintoanunoccupiedhouse.UnitedgoalkeeperHarryGreggmanagedtomaintainconsciousnessafterthecrash, andthroughfearoftheplaneexplodingatanysecond, hegrabbedbothBobbyCharltonwhohadmadehisUniteddbutlessthan18monthsearlierandDennisViolletbytheirwaistbandsanddraggedthemtosafety.SevenUnitedplayersdiedatthescene, whileDuncanEdwardsdiedafortnightlaterinhospital.Right-wingerJohnnyBerryalsosurvivedtheaccident, butinjuriessustainedintheaccidentbroughthisfootballcareertoaprematureend.MattBusbywasnotgivenmuchhopeofsurvivalbytheMunichdoctors, andwasevengiventheLastRitesatonepoint, butrecoveredmiraculouslyandwasfinallyletoutofhospitalafterhavingspentovertwomonthsthere.
Therewererumoursoftheclubfoldingandwithdrawingfromallcompetitions, butwithJimmyMurphytakingoverasmanagerwhileBusbyrecoveredfromhisinjuries, theclubcontinuedplayingwithamakeshiftside.Despitetheaccident, theyreachedtheFACupfinalagain, wheretheylosttoBoltonWanderers.Attheendoftheseason, UEFAofferedtheFAtheopportunitytosubmitbothUnitedandtheeventualchampions, WolverhamptonWanderers, forthe195859EuropeanCupasatributetothevictims, buttheFAdeclined.UnitedmanagedtopushWolvesrighttothewirethefollowingseason, finishinginacreditable2ndplace;notbadforateamthathadlostninefirst-teamplayerstotheMunichairdisaster.
Busbyrebuilttheteamthroughouttheearly1960s, signingplayerssuchasDenisLawandPatCrerand, allthewhilenurturinghisnewgenerationofyoungsters.PerhapsthemostfamousofthisnewbatchwasayoungmanfromBelfastnamedGeorgeBest.Besthadanaturalathleticismrarelyseen, buthismostvaluableassetwashisclosecontrolofafootball.Hisquickfeetallowedhimtopassthroughalmostanygapintheoppositiondefence, nomatterhowsmall.TheteamwontheFACupin1963, albeitfinishingin19thplaceintheFirstDivision.TheFACuptriumphseemedtoreinvigoratetheplayers, whohelpedtheclubto2ndplacein1964, andthenwentonebetterbywinningtheleaguein1965and1967.UnitedwontheEuropeanCupin1968, beatingEusbio'sSLBenfica41inthefinal, becomingthefirstEnglishclubtowinthecompetition.ThisUnitedteamwasnotableforcontainingthreeEuropeanFootballersoftheYear:BobbyCharlton, DenisLawandGeorgeBest.MattBusbyresignedasmanagerin1969andwasreplacedbythereserve-teamcoachandformerUnitedplayer, WilfMcGuinness.
19691986
UnitedstruggledtoreplaceBusby, andtheteamstruggledunderWilfMcGuinnessinthe196970season, finishingadisappointing8th, andfollowingapoorstarttothe197071season, McGuinnesswasdemotedbacktothepositionofreserveteamcoach.Busbywascoaxedbacktotheclub, albeitonlyforsixmonths.ResultsgotbetterwithBusby'sguidance, buthefinallylefttheclubforthelasttimeinthesummerof1971.Inthemeantime, Unitedhadlostanumberofhigh-profileplayerssuchasNobbyStilesandPatCrerand.
DespiteapproachingCeltic'sEuropeanCup-winningmanager, JockStein, forthemanager'sjobSteinhadagreedaverbalcontracttojoinUnited, butpulledoutatthelastminuteFrankO'FarrellwasappointedasBusby'ssuccessor.However, likeMcGuinness, O'Farrellonlylastedlessthan18months, theonlydifferencebetweenthetwobeingthatO'Farrellreactedtotheteam'spoorformbybringinginsomefreshtalent, mostspecificallyMartinBuchanfromAberdeenfor125, 000.TommyDochertybecamemanagerattheendof1972.Docherty, or"theDoc", savedUnitedfromrelegationthatseasonbutUnitedwererelegatedin1974, bywhichtimethegoldentrioofBest, LawandCharltonhadlefttheclub.DenisLawhadmovedtoManchesterCityinthesummerof1973, andendedupscoringthegoalthatmanypeoplesayrelegatedUnited, andpolitelyrefusedtocelebratethegoalwithhisteammates.PlayerslikeLouMacari, StewartHoustonandBrianGreenhoffwerebroughtintoreplaceBest, LawandCharlton, butnonecouldliveuptothestatureofthethreethatcamebefore.
Theteamwonpromotionatthefirstattempt, withayoungSteveCoppellmakinghisdbuttowardstheendofthatseason, havingjoinedfromTranmereRovers, andreachedtheFACupfinalin1976, butwerebeatenbySouthampton.Theyreachedthefinalagainin1977, beatingLiverpool21.Inspiteofthissuccessandhispopularitywiththesupporters, Dochertywassackedsoonafterthefinalwhenhewasfoundtohavehadanaffairwiththephysiotherapist'swife.
DaveSextonreplacedDochertyasmanagerinthesummerof1977, andmadetheteamplayinamoredefensiveformation.Thisstylewasunpopularwithsupporters, whowereusedtotheattackingfootballpreferredbyDochertyandBusby.MajorsigningsunderSextonincludedJoeJordan, GordonMcQueen, GaryBaileyandRayWilkins, butSexton'sdefensiveUnitedfailedtobreakoutofmid-tableobscurity, onlyoncefinishinginthetoptwo, andonlyreachedtheFACupfinalonce, losingtoArsenal.Becauseofthislackoftrophies, Sextonwassackedin1981, eventhoughhewonhislastsevengamesincharge.
HewasreplacedbytheflamboyantRonAtkinson, whoseextrovertattitudewasreflectedintheclubshemanaged.HeimmediatelybroketheBritishrecordtransferfeetosignBryanRobsonfromhisoldclub, WestBrom.RobsonwouldcometobetoutedinthefutureasUnited'sbestmidfieldplayersinceDuncanEdwards.Atkinson'steamfeaturednewsigningssuchasJesperOlsen, PaulMcGrathandGordonStrachanplayingalongsideformeryouth-teamplayersNormanWhitesideandMarkHughes.UnitedwontheFACuptwiceinthreeyears, in1983and1985, andwereoverwhelmingfavouritestowintheleagueinthe198586seasonafterwinningtheirfirsttenleaguegames, openingaten-pointgapovertheirrivalsasearlyasOctober.Theteam'sformcollapsed, however, andUnitedfinishedtheseasoninfourthplace.Thepoorformcontinuedintothefollowingseason, andwithUnitedontheedgeoftheFirstDivision'srelegationzonebythebeginningofNovember1986, Atkinsonwassacked.
AlexFergusonera, pre-Treble(19861998)
AlexFergusonarrivedfromAberdeentoreplaceAtkinsonandguidedtheclubtoan11thplacefinish.Thefollowingseason(198788), Unitedfinishedsecond, withBrianMcClairbecomingthefirstUnitedplayersinceGeorgeBesttoscoretwentyleaguegoalsinaseason.
However, Unitedstruggledthroughoutthenexttwoseasons, withmanyofFerguson'ssigningsnotreachingtheexpectationsofthefans.AlexFergusonwasreportedlyonthevergeofbeingsackedatthebeginningof1990butaMarkRobinsgoalgaveUnitedanarrow10wininthethirdroundoftheFACupoverNottinghamForest.Thiskepttheseasonalive, andtheteamwentontowinthecompetition, beatingCrystalPalaceinareplayinthefinal.
UnitedwontheEuropeanCupWinners'Cupin199091, beatingthatseason'sSpanishchampionsBarcelonainthefinal, butthefollowingseasonwasadisappointmentasalateseasonslumpsawthemmissoutontheleaguetorivalsLeedsUnited.Meanwhilein1991, theclubfloatedontheLondonStockExchangewithavaluationof47million, [18]bringingitsfinancesintothepubliceye.
ThearrivalofEricCantonainNovember1992providedthecrucialsparkforUnited, andblendingwiththebestoftrustedtalentinGaryPallister, DenisIrwinandPaulInce, aswellasbuddingstarslikeRyanGiggs, theyfinishedthe199293seasonaschampionsforthefirsttimesince1967.Theywonthedouble(theleagueandtheFACup)forthefirsttimethefollowingseason, aidedbythecaptureofRoyKeane, adeterminedmidfielderfromNottinghamForest, whowouldgoontobecometheteamcaptain.Inthesameyear, however, theclubwasplungedintomourningfollowingthedeathoflegendarymanagerandclubpresidentSirMattBusby, whodiedon20January1994.
In199495, CantonareceivedaneightmonthsuspensionforjumpingintothecrowdandassaultingCrystalPalacesupporterMatthewSimmons, whohadgivenCantonaracialabuseasheleftthefield, inUnited'sgameatSelhurstPark.DrawingtheirlastleaguematchandlosingtoEvertonintheFACupfinalleftUnitedasrunners-upinboththeleagueandFACup.Fergusonthenoutragedthesupportersbysellingkeyplayersandreplacingthemwithplayersfromtheclub'syouthteam, includingDavidBeckham, GaryNeville, PhilNevilleandPaulScholes.TelevisionpunditAlanHansenfamouslydeclared"you'llneverwinanythingwithkids."[19]Thenewplayers, severalofwhomquicklybecameregularinternationalsforEngland, didsurprisinglywellandUnitedwonthedoubleagainin199596.ThiswasthefirsttimeanyEnglishclubhadwonthedoubletwice, andthefeatwasnicknamedthe"DoubleDouble".[20]
Theywontheleaguein199697, andEricCantonaannouncedhisretirementfromfootballattheageof30.Theystartedthefollowingseason(199798)well, buttheyfinishedinsecondplace, behindthedouble-winningchampionsArsenal.
TheTreble(199899)
The199899seasonforManchesterUnitedwasthemostsuccessfulseasoninEnglishclubfootballhistoryastheybecamethefirstandonlyEnglishteamtowinTheTreblewinningthePremiership, FACupandUEFAChampionsLeagueinthesameseason.AfteraverytensePremierLeagueseason, ManchesterUnitedwonthetitleonthefinaldaybeatingTottenhamHotspur21, whilstArsenalwon10againstAstonVilla.WinningthePremiershipwasthefirstpartoftheTrebleinplace, theonepartthatmanagerAlexFergusondescribedasthehardest.[22]IntheFACupFinalUnitedfacedNewcastleUnitedandwon20withgoalsfromTeddySheringhamandPaulScholes.Inthefinalmatchofthatseason, the1999UEFAChampionsLeagueFinaltheydefeatedBayernMunichinwhatisconsideredoneofthegreatestcomebackseverwitnessed, goingintoinjurytimeagoalbehindandthenscoringtwicetowin21.Fergusonwassubsequentlyknightedforhisservicestofootball.Roundingoutthatrecordbreakingyear, ManchesterUnitedalsowontheIntercontinentalCupafterbeatingPalmeiras10inTokyo.
AftertheTreble(1999present)
Unitedwontheleaguein2000and2001butthepresssawtheseseasonsasfailuresastheyfailedtoregaintheEuropeanCup.In2000, ManchesterUnitedbecameoneof14foundermembersoftheG-14groupofleadingEuropeanfootballclubs.[26]Theclubalsodeclinedtotakepartinthe1999-2000FACup, insteadcompetingintheinauguralFIFAClubWorldChampionshipinBrazil, citingpressurefromtheFA, UEFAandtheEngland2006WorldCupbidcommittee.FergusonadoptedmoredefensivetacticstomakeUnitedhardertobeatinEuropebutitwasnotasuccessandUnitedfinishedthe200102Premiershipseasoninthirdplace.Theyregainedtheleaguethefollowingseason(200203)andstartedthefollowingseasonwell, buttheirformdroppedsignificantlywhenRioFerdinandreceivedacontroversialeightmonthsuspensionformissingadrugstest.Theydidwinthe2004FACup, however, knockingoutArsenal(thatseason'seventualleaguechampions)ontheirwaytothefinalinwhichtheybeatMillwall.
The200405seasonwascharacterisedbyafailuretoscoregoals, mainlyduetotheinjuryofstrikerRuudvanNistelrooyandUnitedfinishedtheseasontrophylessandinthirdplaceintheleague.Thistime, eventheFACupeludedthemasArsenalbeatUnitedonpenaltiesafteragoallessdrawafter120minutes.Offthepitch, themainstorywasthepossibilityoftheclubbeingtakenoverandattheendoftheseason, TampabusinessmanMalcolmGlazer, acquiredacontrollinginterestintheclub.
Unitedmadeapoorstarttothe200506season, withmidfielderRoyKeaneleavingtheclubtojoinCelticafterpubliclycriticisingseveralofhisteam-mates, andtheclubfailedtoqualifyfortheknock-outphaseoftheUEFAChampionsLeagueforthefirsttimeinoveradecadeafterlosingtoPortugueseteamBenfica.TheirseasonwasalsodealtcruelblowswithinjuriestokeyplayerssuchasGabrielHeinze, AlanSmith, RyanGiggsandPaulScholes.However, theywerepreventedfrombeingleftempty-handedinsuccessiveseasonsadisappointmentnotenduredinthelast17yearsbywinningthe2006LeagueCup, beatingnewly-promotedneighboursWiganAthleticinthefinal40.Unitedalsoensuredasecond-placefinishandautomaticChampionsLeaguequalificationonthefinaldayoftheseasonbydefeatingCharltonAthletic40.Attheendofthe200506season, oneofUnited'skeystrikers, RuudvanNistelrooy, lefttheclubtojoinRealMadrid, duetoarowwithAlexFerguson.[27]
The200607seasonsawUnitedreturntotheattackingstyleoffootballthatwasthecornerstoneoftheiryearsofsuccessinthelate1990s, scoringalmost20moregoalsin32matchesthansecondplacedsideChelsea.InJanuary2007, UnitedsignedHenrikLarssononatwo-monthloanfromSwedishsideHelsingborgs, andthestrikerplayedanimportantroleinadvancingUnitedtothesemi-finalsoftheChampions'League, [28]withhopesforasecondTreble;however, uponreachingthesemi-finals, UnitedlosttoA.C.Milan35onaggregate.[29]
Incommemorationofthe50thanniversaryofManchesterUnited'sentryintoEuropeancompetition, aswellasthe50thanniversaryoftheTreatyofRome, ManchesterUnitedplayedMarcelloLippi'sEuropeanXIatOldTraffordon13March3007.Unitedwonthegame43.[30]
Fouryearsaftertheirlasttitle, UnitedclaimedbackthePremierLeaguetitleon6May2007, afterChelseadrewawaywithArsenal, leavingtheBluessevenpointsbehindwithtwogamestogo, followingUnited's10victoryintheManchesterderbythepreviousday, makingittheirninthPremiershiptitleinthe15seasonsofitsexistence.However, anunprecedentedfourthDoublewasnottobe, asChelseabeatUnited10inextratimeinthefirstFACupFinaltobeheldatthenewWembleyStadium;thefirsttobeheldinEnglandsincetheoldstadiumwasdemolishedsevenyearsearlier.
2007-08sawUnitedsuccessfullycompletetheEuropeandoubledespiteapoorstarttotheseason, findingthemselvesin17thplaceinthePremierLeagueafterthreematches.However, on11May2008, UnitedretainedthePremierLeaguetitlewithawinoverWiganAthletic.WithtitlerivalsChelseaonlyabletodrawwithBoltonWanderers, Unitedfinishedtheseasontwopointsclear.TheclubalsoreachedtheEuropeanCupfinalforthethirdtimeintheirhistory, havingknockedoutsuchclubsasBarcelonaandRomaen-routetothefinal.TheybeatChelsea65onpenaltiesinthefinalinMoscow'sLuzhnikiStadium, aftera11drawinnormaltimeon21May2008.Withthiswin, theyearnedtheirthirdEuropeanCuptitleandkeptuptheirrecordofneverhavinglostamajorEuropeanfinal.Coincidentally, thisseasonmarkedthe100thyearsinceManchesterUnitedwontheirfirstLeaguetitle, 50yearsaftertheMunichairdisasterand40yearsafterManchesterUnitedbecamethefirsteverEnglishsidetowintheEuropeanCup.TheEuropeanCupfinalalsosawRyanGiggsmakehis759thappearancefortheclub, overtakingBobbyCharltonastheclub'srecordappearancemaker.
TheMalcolmGlazertakeover
On12May2005, AmericanbusinessmanMalcolmGlazeracquiredacontrollinginterestintheclubthroughhisinvestmentvehicleRedFootballLtd.inatakeovervaluingtheclubatapproximately800million(approx.$1.5billion).[31][32]On16May, heincreasedhissharetothe75%necessarytode-listtheclubfromtheStockExchange, makingitprivateagain, andannouncedhisintentiontodosowithin20days.[32]On8JuneheappointedhissonstotheManchesterUnitedboardasnon-executivedirectors.[33]
InJuly2006, theclubannouncedarefinancingpackage.Thetotalamountwillbe660million, onwhichinterestpaymentswillbe62millionayear.[34]Thisresultofthisnewfinancingplanwillbea30%reductionofannualpayments.[35]
Clubcrestandcolours
ManchesterUnitedbadgeuptothemostrecentrevisionin1998
DuringitsdaysasNewtonHeath, theclub'shomejerseyswereyellowandgreen;thisstripwasrevivedasanawaykitintheearly1990s.In1902, inconjunctionwiththenamechangetoManchesterUnited, theclubchangedtheircolourstoredjerseys, whiteshortsandblacksocks, whichhasbecomethestandardformostManUtdhomekitseversince.Themostnotableexceptiontothisistheshirtthattheteamworeinthe1909FACupFinalagainstBristolCity, whichwaswhitewithathinredV-neck.Thisdesignwasresurrectedinthe1920sbeforeUnitedrevertedbacktotheall-redshirts.
Awaystripsareusuallywhitejerseyswithblackshortsandwhitesocks, butothercolourshavebeenused, includingablueandwhitestripedshirtusedon-and-offfrom1903to1916, anall-blackkitin1994and2003andanavyblueshirtwithsilverhorizontalpinstripesin2000.Oneofthemostfamous, yetshort-lived, Unitedawaykits, though, wastheallgreykitfrom199596.ThiskitwasdroppedafterManchesterUnitedfailedtowinasinglegamewhilewearingit.Athalf-timeduringagameagainstSouthampton, whenUnitedwerealready30down, theyswitchedtotheirblueandwhitethirdkit, buteventuallylost31.Accordingtotheplayers, thegreykitwasnotvisibleenoughwhichledtothepoorresults.AnotherfamousManUtdawaykitincludedareversibleshirtthatwaswhitewithblacksleevesandgoldtrimononeside, andgoldwithblacktrimontheotherside.ThisshirtwasreleasedasthelastkitcreatedbyUmbrofortheclubbeforethechangetoNike, andcommemorated100yearssincetheclubhadchangeditsnamefromNewtonHeathtoManchesterUnited.
TheUnitedthirdkitistraditionallyall-blueinhomagetothekitthatthe1968EuropeanCupwaswonin.Exceptionstothisrulehaveincludedabrightyellowkitwornintheearly1970s, theaforementionedblueandwhitestripedshirtfrom1996, whichprovedtobeafirmfavouritewiththefans, andawhiteshirtwithblackandredhorizontalpinstripesfrom2004.Unitedhavealsousedwhatwereoriginallyusedastrainingshirtsastheirthirdkitinthepast, havingadoptedanall-blackkitinthe199899seasonandadarkblueshirtwithmaroonsidesin2001forgamesagainstSouthamptonandPSVEindhoven.
Currently, ManchesterUnited'shomejerseysareredwithavertical, whitebrokenstripewithblacktrimonthereverse.ThestripeisadornedwiththelettersMUFCatthetopofthebottomportion, andasilhouetteofthedevilfromtheclubbadgeatthetopofthetopportion.TheAIGandNikelogosarealsowhite.Apatchwiththewords"TheRedDevils"writteninwhite, overanimageoftheclubbadge'sdevil, isattachedtothebottom-leftoftheshirt.Theclubcrestsitsonaredkiss-cutshieldontheleftbreast.Theawaykitiswhitewithbluepipingaroundthesideandbackoftheneckanddownthesidesofthebody.Thetrimonthefrontoftheneckisred.ThelettersMUFCareonthebackoftheneckandtheclubbadgeislocatedonawhiteshieldovertheleftbreast.Theawayshirtiswornwithblueshorts.[38]
TheManchesterUnitedcresthasbeenalteredonafewoccasions, butthebasicformremainssimilar.ThebadgeisderivedfromthecrestofthecityofManchester.Thedevilontheclubbadgestemsfromtheclub'snickname"TheRedDevils", whichwasadoptedintheearly1960safterMattBusbyhearditinreferencetothered-shirtedSalfordrugbyleagueside.[39]Bytheendofthe1960s, thedevilhadstartedtobeincludedonclubprogrammesandscarves, beforeitwasfinallyincorporatedintotheclubbadgein1970, holdingitsunmistakabletrident.In1998, thebadgewasonceagainredesigned, thistimeremovingthewords"FootballClub".[40]Thismovewasmetwithoppositionfromsomesupporters, whovieweditasamoveawayfromtheclub'sfootballingrootsandmoreintothebusinesssideofthegame.
Ballond'Or
ThefollowingplayershavewontheBallond'OrwhilstplayingforManchesterUnited:
DenisLaw1964
BobbyCharlton1966
GeorgeBest1968
EuropeanGoldenShoe
ThefollowingplayershavewontheEuropeanGoldenShoewhilstplayingforManchesterUnited:
CristianoRonaldo(31goals)2008
Ladiesteam
ManchesterUnitedLadiesFCwasfoundedin1977, andofficiallybecameapartofManchesterUnitedFCatthestartofthe200102season.TheyplayedintheNorthernCombinationleague(thethirdtierofwomen'sfootballinEngland)untiltheywerecontroversiallydisbandedbeforethestartofthe200405seasonforfinancialreasons.ThedecisionwasmetwithconsiderablecriticismgiventhehugeprofitsmadebyManchesterUnitedandalsoduetothefactthattheteamswerewithdrawnfromalltheirleaguesbeforetheplayerswereeveninformedofthedecision.[44]
Support
BeforetheSecondWorldWar, fewEnglishfootballsupporterstravelledtoawaygamesbecauseoftime, cost, andlogisticalconstraintssuchasthescarcityofcarsamongstthepopulation.AsCityandUnitedplayedhomematchesonalternateSaturdays, manyMancunianswouldwatchUnitedoneweekandCitythenext, butafterthewar, astrongerrivalrydevelopedanditbecamemorecommonforasupportertochoosetofollowoneteamexclusively.
WhenUnitedwontheleaguein1956, theyhadthehighestaveragehomeattendanceintheleague, arecordthathadbeenheldbyNewcastleUnitedforthepreviousfewyears.FollowingtheMunichairdisasterin1958, morepeoplebegantosupportUnitedandmanystartedtogotomatches.[hiscausedUnited'ssupporttoswellandisonereasonwhyUnitedhavehadthehighestleagueattendancesinEnglishfootballforalmosteveryseasonsincethen, evenasaSecondDivisionsidein197475.
Inthelate1990sandearlypartofthe2000s, anincreasingsourceofconcernformanyUnitedsupporterswasthepossibilityoftheclubbeingtakenover.Thesupporters'groupIMUSA(IndependentManchesterUnitedSupporters'Association)wasextremelyactiveinopposingaproposedtakeoverbyRupertMurdochin1998.Anotherpressuregroup, ShareholdersUnitedAgainstMurdoch(whichbecameShareholdersUnitedandisnowtheManchesterUnitedSupporters'Trust)wasformedataroundthistimetoencouragesupporterstobuysharesintheclub, partlytoenablesupporterstohaveagreatersayintheissuesthatconcernthem, suchasticketpricesandallocation, andpartlytoreducetheriskofanunwantedpartybuyingenoughsharestotakeovertheclub.However, thisschemefailedtopreventMalcolmGlazerfrombecomingthemajorityshareholder.Manysupporterswereoutraged, andsomeformedasplinterclubcalledF.C.UnitedofManchester.Despitetheangerofsomesupporterstowardsthenewowners, attendanceshavecontinuedtoincrease.
Theatmosphereproducedbythefanshas, however, beencriticisedattimes.In2000, commentsmadeaboutsectionsoftheOldTraffordcrowdbythethen-clubcaptainRoyKeane, claimingsomefanscouldnot"spellfootball, nevermindunderstandit"ledtothembeingdubbedthe"prawnsandwichbrigade".AlexFergusonhasalsomadeseveralcommentsaboutthecrowd, evengoingasfarasclaimingtheatmosphereon1January2008waslikea"funeral".Afterwards, hecommented"Ithinktherehavebeendayslikethisinthepast.Ithappenedsomeyearsago, whenweweredominant".Afterafamous10winoverBarcelonaatOldTrafford, whichsentUnitedtothefinaloftheChampionsLeagueinMoscow, FergusonsaidthatUnitedfans"wereabsolutelybrilliant"andthatthey"gotusovertheline".
Stadium
OldTrafford -TheatreofDreams
Whentheclubwasfirstfounded, NewtonHeathplayedtheirhomegamesonasmallfieldonNorthRoadinNewtonHeath, neartowhereManchesterPiccadillyStationiscurrentlylocated.However, visitingteamsoftencomplainedaboutthestateofthepitch, whichwas"abogatoneendandrockyasaquarryattheother".[12]Thechangingroomswerealsonothingtobeproudof, beinglocatedtenminuteswalkawayattheThreeCrownspubonOldhamRoad.TheywerelatermovedtotheShearsHotel, anotherpubonOldhamRoad, butachangewasneedediftheclubwastocontinueintheFootballLeague.
TheHeathensremainedattheirNorthRoadgroundforfifteenyearsfrom1878to1893, ayearafterenteringtheFootballLeague, beforemovingtoanewhomeatBankStreetinnearbyClayton.Thenewgroundwasnotmuchbetter, onlyafewtuftsofgrassstickingupthroughthesandysurface, andcloudsofsmokecomingdownfromthefactorynextdoor.Ononeoccasion, theWalsallTownSwiftsevenrefusedtoplay, theconditionsweresobad.Alayerofsandwasputdownbythegroundsmanandthevisitorswerefinallypersuadedtoplay, eventuallylosing140.Theyprotestedagainsttheresult, citingthepoorconditionsasthereasonfortheirlossandthematchwasreplayed.Theconditionswerenotmuchbetterthesecondtimearound, andtheWalsallteamlostagain, althoughthistimetheyonlylost90.
In1902, theclubwentclosetobankruptcyandtheBankStreetgroundwasclosedbybailiffsduetoitsinsolvency.TheclubwassavedatthelastminutebycaptainHarryStafford, whomanagedtoscrapetogetherenoughmoneytopayfortheclub'snextawaygameatBristolCityandfoundatemporarygroundatneighbouringHarpurheyforthenexthomegameagainstBlackpool.
Followinginvestmenttogettheclubbackonanevenkeel, theyrenamedasManchesterUnited, thoughstillwithadesireforapassableground.SixweeksbeforeUnited'sfirstFACuptitleinApril1909, OldTraffordwasnamedasthehomeofManchesterUnited, followingthepurchaseofthenecessarylandforaround60, 000.ArchitectArchibaldLeitchwashiredbyUnitedchairmanJohnHenryDavies, andgivenabudgetof30, 000forconstruction.Originalplansindicatedthatthestadiumwouldholdaround100, 000, thoughthiswasscaledbackto77, 000.Despitethis, arecordattendanceof76, 962wasrecorded, whichismorethaneventhecurrentstadiumofficiallysupports.ConstructionwascarriedoutbyMessrsBrameldandSmithofManchester.Attheopeningofthestadium, standingticketscostsixpence, whilethemostexpensiveseatsinthegrandstandwouldhavesetyoubackfiveshillings.Theinauguralgamewasplayedon19February1910againstLiverpoolF.C., andresultedina43winforthevisitors.Asithappened, thechangeofgroundcouldnothavecomesoonenough.OnlyafewdaysaftertheclubplayedtheirlastgameatBankStreet, themainstandwasblowndowninastorm.
BombingduringtheSecondWorldWar, on11March1941, destroyedmuchofthestadium, notablythemainstand.ThecentraltunnelintheSouthStandwasallthatremainedofthatquarteroftheground.Thoughthegroundwasrebuiltin1949, itmeantthatagamehadnotbeenplayedatOldTraffordfornearly10yearsastheteamplayedalltheir"home"gamesinthatperiodatManchesterCity'sground, MaineRoad.ManCitychargedtheclub5000peryearfortheuseoftheirstadium, plusanominalpercentageofthegatereceipts.UnitedfiledareportwiththeWarDamageCommissionandreceivedcompensationtothevalueof22, 278forthereconstructionoftheground.
Subsequentimprovementsoccurred, beginningwiththeadditionofarooffirsttotheStretfordEndandthentotheNorthandEastStands.However, theold-fashionedroofsupportsobscuredtheviewofmanyfans, resultingintheupgradingoftheroofstoincorporatethecantileveringstillseenonthestadiumtoday.TheStretfordEndwasthelaststandtoreceivetheupgradetothecantileveredroof, theworkbeingcompletedintimeforthestartofthe199394season.
Floodlightswerefirstinstalledatthegroundinthemid-1950s.Four180-foot(55m)-tallpylonswereerected, eachhousing54individualfloodlights.Thewholelightingsystemcosttheclub40, 000, andwasfirstusedforamatchon25March1957.However, theoldstylefloodlightsweredismantledin1987, tobereplacedbyanewlightingsystemembeddedintheroofofeachofthestands, whichhassurvivedtothisday.
In1990, followingtheHillsboroughdisaster, areportwasissuedwhichdemandedallstadiamustbeall-seaterstadia, leadingtosubsequentrenovation, whichdroppedcapacitytoaround44, 000.However, theclub'spopularityensuredthatfurtherdevelopmentwouldoccur.In1995, theNorthStandwasredevelopedintothreetiers, bringingthecapacityuptoapproximately55, 000.ThiswasfollowedbyexpansionsoffirsttheEastandthenWestStandstoreachatotalcapacityof68, 000.Themostrecentexpansionwascompletedin2006, whentheNorth-EastandNorth-WestQuadrantswereopened, allowingthecurrentrecordof76, 098, only104shortofthestadium'smaximumcapacity.
Ithasbeenestimatedthatforanyfurtherdevelopmenttobeattemptedonthestadium, specificallytheSouthStandwhichisstillonlyonetierhigh, developmentcostswouldalmostequalthe114millionalreadyspentonthestadiuminthelastfourteenyears.Thisisduetothefactthatuptofiftyhouseswouldhavetobeboughtoutbytheclub, whichwouldcausealotofdisruptiontolocalresidents, andanyextensionwouldhavetobebuiltoverthetopoftherailwaylinethatrunsadjacenttothestadium.Ideally, theexpansionwouldincludebringingtheSouthStanduptoatleasttwotiersandfillingintheSouth-WestandSouth-Eastquadrantstorestorethe"bowl"effectofthestadium.Presentestimatesputtheprojectedcapacityofthecompletedstadiumatapproximately96, 000, morethanthenewWembleyStadium.
Sponsorship
On6April2006, chiefexecutiveDavidGillannouncedAIGasthenewshirtsponsorsofManchesterUnitedinaBritishrecordshirtsponsorshipdealof56.5milliontobepaidoverfouryears(14.1millionayear).[54]ManchesterUnitednowhasthemostvaluablesponsorshipdealintheworld, duetotherenegotiationofthe15million-a-yeardealJuventushadwithoilfirmTamoil.[55]Thefour-yearagreementhasalsobeenheralded, byextension, asthelargestsponsorshipdealinBritishhistory, eclipsingChelsea'sdealwithSamsung.
CompaniesthatManchesterUnitedcurrentlyhavesponsorshipdealswithinclude:[56]
AIGPrincipalSponsor
NikeOfficialSportswearPartner
AudiOfficialCarSupplierandDugoutSeatProvider
BudweiserOfficialBeer
BetfredOfficialBettingPartner
XfmManchesterOfficialRadioStation
Theclubhasonlyeverhadthreemainshirtsponsors.Thefirstandlongest-runningwasSharpElectronics, whosponsoredtheclubfrom1982to2000, whichwasoneofthelengthiestandmostlucrativesponsorshipdealsinEnglishfootball. Sharp'slogowasonthefrontofUnited'sshirtsduringthese17years, duringwhichtheteamwonsevenPremierLeaguetitles, fiveFACups, oneFootballLeagueCup, oneEuropeanCupWinners'CupandoneEuropeanCup.Asthisperiodwassomethingofagoldenerafortheclub, witha(coincidental)declineinfortuneshappeningonceVodafonebecamethenewshirtsponsorsin2000, somefansnowtermthisperiodparticularly19932000asTheSharpYears.Vodafonetookoverinaninitialfour-year30milliondeal. Thesponsorshipwasextendedanextratwoyearsandtotalled36million.On23November2005, Vodafoneannouncedthattheywouldpartwaysaftertheirdealexpired.
Similarly, theclubhasonlyhadfourindependentkitmanufacturers, thefirstbeingAdmiral.Adidastookoverinthemid-1980s, onlyforlocalsportswearcompanyUmbrotoreplacethemin1992.Umbro'ssponsorshiplastedfortenyears, untiltheclubstruckarecord-breaking302.9milliondealwithNike.TheagreementwithNikewilllastaninitial13years, runninguntilatleast2015.
Rivalries
United'snumberonerivalisdifficulttodetermine.Traditionally, theclosestrivalshavebeenLiverpool, ManchesterCityandLeeds, thoughArsenalhavecomeintotheframeinrecentyears. Currently, mostfansseeLiverpoolastheirbiggestrivals, duetothesuccessofbothclubsaswellastheirproximitytoeachother, whileothersrateintra-cityrivalsManchesterCityastheirbiggestrivals.TheLiverpoolrivalrybeganduringthe1960swhenthetwoclubswereamongthestrongestinEngland, andhavebeencompetingcloselyjustabouteveryseasonsince.TheManchesterCityrivalrydatesbacktotheNewtonHeatheraofthe1890s, andhasremainedfierceduetobothclubsbeinginthesamedivisionformuchoftheirhistory.
WhilstbasedintraditionalYorkshire-Lancashirerivalry, therivalrywithLeedsUnitedbeganduringthelate1960swhenLeedsemergedasatopside, andcontinuedthroughthe1970sand1980sbeforearguablyreachingitsapexwhenLeedspippedUnitedtotheleaguetitlein1992.TherivalrywithArsenalismorerecentandbasedmoreonbattlesonthepitch;ithasbeenparticularlyintensesinceArsenalandUnitedhavebeenindirectcompetitionforseveraltrophiessincethelate-1990s.
Work From Home Jobs Gravesend News
Ask LH: How Can I Take Sick Days Without Feeling Like A Slacker?
21 May 2012 at 5:47pm Dear Lifehacker, My job lets me work from home from time to time, so usually when I?m sick I just work from my sick bed. I know I should just take it easy, but I feel like a slacker when I take a sick day, knowing that I could drag myself to my computer and work. How do I take it easy and shake my guilty conscience when I?m under the weather? Sincerely, Sick of Being Sick Titl ...Read more...
Work ethic taught at home by parents will help their children succeed on the ...
21 May 2012 at 5:20pm Gaston Gazette Many of our ?trophy kids? are now entering the real world and to be blunt, are not only unprepared to function with minimum supervision on the job, but are too arrogant to even realize it. Just ask managers and supervisors in many lines of work and ... |
Read more...
How Can I Take Sick Days Without Feeling Like a Slacker? - Lifehacker
21 May 2012 at 1:04pm Lifehacker My job lets me work from home from time to time, so usually when I'm sick I just work from my sick bed. I know I should just take it easy, but I feel like a slacker when I take a sick day, knowing that I could drag myself to my computer and work. and more » |
Read more...
Next page: Work From Home Jobs Hebdenbridge













