| The very first Manchester United team was formed in 1878, by a group of workers from the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. Under the name 'Newton Heath LYR', they played at a local ground in North Road. In 1902, Newton Heath suffered major financial difficulties, causing the club to go bankrupt. It was thanks to Harry Stafford that the club did not totally disappear. He raised funds with three Manchester business men. Each invested �500 in return for a say in how the club was run. One of the men, John Henry Davies, later paid �60,000 for a new ground to be built. This was Old Trafford. To celebrate the fact that the Heathens' were saved, it was decided that the name of the club should be changed. It was Louis Rocca who suggested Manchester United, and the name stayed. Things were looking up for United. The financial situation had improved dramatically, United were winning more and more games, and their string of managers all added to the club's success. However, the run of good luck came to an abbrupt stop in 1939, when World War Two broke out. During the war, Old Trafford was badly hit, consequently causing Manchester United to share Maine Road with neighbours Manchester City. United had to pay �5000 a year in rent, almost causing the club to go bankrupt again. Also, many of the players were in the armed forces, which prevented United from having their full successful team in their games. Something, or someone, was needed quickly, to relieve United of their financial and team worries. That someone was Matt Busby... |
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