| 1986- Sir Alex Ferguson 
Sir
Alex: Profile |
After spells as a player
with Queen's Park, St Johnstone, Dunfermline, Glasgow Rangers, Falkirk and
Ayr United, and as manager of East Stirlingshire, St Mirren and Aberdeen,
Alex Ferguson succeeded Ron Atkinson as manager of Manchester United on 6
November 1986. In the thirteen League matches up to Ferguson's arrival at
Old Trafford, United had only won three and had lost six. Stuck in the
bottom four of the Division One table, Ferguson immediately set about
attempting to stave off the very real threat of relegation. Without
resorting to the transfer market, Ferguson guided United up the table to
finish in eleventh place. In his first full season, Ferguson guided United
to a League runners-up position as new signings Viv Anderson, Steve Bruce
and Brian McClair made their mark. This was followed by eleventh position in
1988/89 and, after a further threat of relegation, thirteenth position in
1989/90. United's poor League form continued but, on 17 May 1990, for the
first time in five years, the fans tasted success when United won the FA
Cup, defeating Crystal Palace 1-0 after a replay. In 1991 Ferguson's team
lost the League Cup final, but went on to defeat Barcelona 2-1 in the
European Cup-Winners' Cup Final. United again came close in 1991/92 when
Leeds United pipped them to the title. Some silverware did return to Old
Trafford that season as Nottingham Forest were defeated 1-0 in the League
Cup Final and Red Star Belgrade were defeated by the same scoreline in the
European Super Cup Final. Ferguson's team became the inaugural Champions of
the breakaway F.A. Premier League in 1992/93. The twenty-six year wait was
over. This Championship victory also won him the 'Manager of the Year'
trophy, an award he won again the following year as United retained their
hold on the Premier crown. His team went one better becoming only the sixth
team to win the League and FA Cup Double but missed the treble when losing
to Aston Villa in the League Cup Final. His 1993 Premier League victory
meant that Ferguson became the first manager to win League titles north and
south of the border. He is also only the second manager, after Johan Cruyff,
to win the European Cup-Winners' Cup with teams from different countries.
Ferguson was awarded C.B.E. in the New Year honours list (1995), however
failure to win at West Ham on the last day of the season and losing to
Everton in the FA Cup Final meant that the trophy cabinet at Old Trafford
was empty for the first time in five years. When the 1995/6 season began it
did so minus Eric Cantona, Mark Hughes, Andrei Kanchelskis and Paul Ince,
players who had played such an important part in United's success. By the
end of the season, memories of 1995 had been washed away as United's 'kids',
led by a rejuvenated Cantona, won an historic 'Double Double'. A testimony
to Alex Ferguson's managerial ability, which won him the Carling Premiership
'Manager of the Year' award yet again. In November 1996, the Boss completed
ten years as manager of Manchester United, the longest serving coach since
Sir Matt Busby and the second longest serving boss in the League behind
Crewe's Dario Gradi. The season ended with United picking up their fourth
Premiership title and narrowly missing out on reaching the European Cup
Final, losing the semi-final to the eventual winners Borussia Dortmund.
Again Ferguson won the Carling Premiership 'Manager of the Year' award,
confirming his place amongst the great Managers to have graced the British
game. That status was confirmed in the 1998/99 season, when
United completed the unprecedented Treble – Premiership, FA Cup and European
Cup. He followed Matt Busby to Buckingham Palace, and became the first
working football manager to be knighted. He also took United to
another league titles in 2001 which was the third in a row - the first team
to do so. Another title in 2003 and the FA Cup in 2004. Even though
the next season was barren, United captured the Carling Cup in 2006.
Trophies: 31
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1981-1986 Ron Atkinson  |
The turning point in Atkinson's football career came in 1971 when, at the age of 32, he was offered the position of player-manager at Kettering Town. There, Atkinson won Southern League First Division and Premier Division Championships and took them to within one vote of gaining League status. In December 1974 Atkinson made the step up into League management with Cambridge United. In his second full season at Cambridge, Ron guided them to the old Fourth Division Championship, and later into the Second Division. Within six years, Atkinson was managing in the First Division with West Bromwich Albion. In his first spell at the Hawthorns, he twice took them into the UEFA Cup, in 1978/79 and 1979/80. Then, in 1981, came the big one, the job which most managers would normally find hard to resist - the post of Manchester United manager. United were the biggest and the best supported club in Britain, but had won only one major trophy since 1968 - the FA Cup in 1977. The League Championship had eluded every United manager since Matt Busby. In October 1981, he galvanised the United midfield by signing two of his former charges at West Brom, Remi Moses and Bryan Robson. A transfer fee of £1.5 million made Robson the most expensive player in Britain at the time. Within two years, Robson had captained Atkinson's United in two Wembley finals, losing the Milk Cup to Liverpool but winning the FA Cup in the same season, 1982/83. In 1985, they won the FA Cup for a second time and then started the following season by winning their first ten League matches. At one point in 1985/86, United led the old First Division by ten points, only to lose the title race when the team was hit by injuries. Liverpool finished first again, and to make matters worse, completed the League and FA Cup double. Even though United never finished lower than fourth in their five years under Atkinson, his failure to really challenge Liverpool proved to be his undoing. In November 1986, United parted company with him. Trophies: 3 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1977-1981 Dave Sexton  |
His first managerial post was with his former club Leyton Orient after successful coaching spells with Arsenal and Fulham. In October 1967 he replaced Tommy Docherty as Manager of Chelsea where he won the FA Cup and then the Cup Winners Cup in 1968. Another Cup Final followed in 1970, this time the League Cup. However, Chelsea failed to overcome Stoke City in the Final and finished as runners-up. In October 1974 Dave was sacked as manager of Chelsea Football Club. He then joined QPR. In 1976 Rangers finished just a point behind League Champions Liverpool. Finishing in second position still remains the Club's highest League placing. However when Tommy Docherty was sensationally sacked by Manchester United in July 1977 Sexton became Manchester United's thirteenth Manager. Sexton's stay with Manchester United lasted a little less than four years. During this time he broke the club's transfer record four times, signing Joe Jordon from Leeds United for £388,888 (including League levy), Gordon McQueen also from Leeds United for £450,000 (plus £45,000 League levy), Ray Wilkins for £700,000 (excluding levies) and Garry Birtles for £1.25 million. Sexton led United to an FA Cup Final in 1979 and second place in the First Division in 1980, two points behind eventual Champions, Liverpool. The following season, 1980/81, saw United slip down the table to eighth position and crash out of the FA Cup in the fourth round, the UEFA Cup in the first round and the League Cup in the second round. Nevertheless, at the end of the season and despite United winning their last seven games, Sexton was sacked by the United Board. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1972-1977 Tommy Docherty  |
In February 1961 Tommy took up his first managerial post as player-coach of Chelsea. Less than twelve months later he took over as manager. With Chelsea he achieved promotion to Division One in 1963, won the League Cup in 1965, and reached the FA Cup Final in 1967 only to end up on the losing side for the second time in his career. Seven months after reaching the Cup Final, Docherty resigned and then had spells with Rotherham, QPR, Aston Villa, FC Porto and Hull City before taking over as caretaker manager of the Scottish national team in September 1971, a position which became permanent in November of the same year. With the sacking of Frank O'Farrell in December 1972, the temptation of managing one of Europe's most glamorous clubs proved too tempting and he quit his job with the S.F.A. to take up the role of manager of Manchester United. At Manchester United Docherty enjoyed his most successful spell as manager, winning the Second Division Championship in 1975 and reaching the FA Cup Final in 1976 and 1977, winning the latter. This was United's first major trophy in nine years. Fans flocked to Old Trafford to see an exciting brand of football not witnessed since the days of Sir Matt Busby. Less than two months later he was sacked after his affair with physiotherapist's wife Mary Brown had become public. It was not long before Docherty was back in work, taking the managerial reins at Derby County, where he stayed for two season before resigning in April of 1979. Next he took over Derby but became embroiled in a bitter Court case against ex-Manchester United captain Wille Morgan and Granada T.V. for libel. The case was dropped but The end of the Court case coincided with the end of Docherty's managerial career with Derby. He then went to Queens Park Rangers where he was sacked almost immediately, then reinstated after just nine days. On taking over at Loftus Road, Rangers had been relegated to the Second Division and Docherty had to lift the team spirits to start the new season. Although money was spent, QPR finished the season four points short of promotion to the First Division. In October of 1980 he was sacked. He has since carved out a successful career in after dinner speaking. As a manager Tommy Docherty was nothing if not controversial. However outspoken his attacking style of football made him popular with supporters, especially Manchester United fans who missed his entertaining style of play after he'd been sacked. Trophies: 2 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1971-1972 Frank O'Farrell  |
He began his managerial career as the Player-Manager of Southern League team Weymouth in October 1961. Here he helped the team to the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history and also led them to the Southern League Championship. His success led him to Torquay United and then Leicester where he had reasonable success. O'Farrell was appointed manager of Manchester United Football Club in June 1971. Along with O'Farrell came Malcolm Musgrove as chief coach. Musgrove had been O'Farrell's assistant at Leicester City and was appointed to do the same job at Manchester United. Under the new managerial team, United began the 1971/72 season well, losing only one of their first fourteen games. By October they led the First Division and as Christmas approached O'Farrell's team had opened up a five point lead at the top of the table. Things soon began to go downhill though. A run of three draws and seven defeats in late December, January and February sent United sliding down the League table. The inspiration of the new management team had all but vanished and United finished the season in eighth position. The 1972/73 season began badly with three successive defeats to Ipswich, Liverpool and Everton and the stars of the 60s were ready for retirement. Pat Crerand looked after the youth team and Bill Foulkes was in charge of the Reserves, whilst there was also the problem of the wayward genius of George Best. By December 1972 United had played 22 matches, won five, drawn six and lost eleven. On Tuesday 19 December 1972 he and Musgrove were sacked. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1970-1971 Wilf McGuiness  |
Wilf McGuinness was born in Manchester on 25 October 1937. As a youngster he captained Manchester, Lancashire and England schoolboys. He signed for Manchester United on amateur forms in January 1953. He turned professional in November 1954 and made his debut as a seventeen year old on 8 October 1955 at Old Trafford against Wolves. However, first team opportunities were limited and McGuinness faced tough competition from players such as Duncan Edwards. He did however play in thirteen games in the 1955/56 season, which meant that he qualified for a League Championship medal. In 1958 McGuinness suffered a bad injury, but one which probably saved his life as he missed the ill-fated trip to Belgrade. As a player he had a tremendous amount of determination and strength, and these were qualities which were recognised by his national coaches. He played for England youth, the Under-23's, and twice for the full England team. He also twice represented the Football League. In 1965 at the age of 22 McGuinness was forced to retire after he broke his leg playing in the Central League. He took over as youth team manager in 1961 at Manchester United. In addition to this, he assisted England as youth team coach, and later helped Alf Ramsey with the training of the 1966 World Cup squad. In March 1969 McGuinness was promoted from assistant trainer to chief coach at Manchester United, a position he took up in June 1969. In August 1970, he was granted the title of manager of Manchester United. However, in December 1970 he was demoted to reserve team coach, with his predecessor Sir Matt Busby taking over all first team duties for the remainder of the season. McGuinness resigned in February 1971 to take up a coaching appointment in Greece. He has since had managerial spells with York City, Hull and Bury (as physiotherapist). Today, Wilf is a popular after-dinner speaker and works for United's commercial department on a match day. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1945-1970 Sir Matt Busby  |
"Winning matches at all costs is not the test of true achievement... there is no dishonour in defeat as long as you play to the limit of your strength and skill. What matters above all things is that the game should be played in the right spirit... with fair play and no favour, with every man playing as a member of his team and the result accepted without bitterness and conceit. Played at its best between first class teams, football is a wonderful spectacle. I love its drama, its smooth playing skills, its carefully laid rhythm, and the added flavour of contrasting styles. Its great occasions are, for me at any rate, unequalled in the world of sport. I feel a sense of romance, wonder and mystery, a sense of beauty and a sense of poetry. On such occasions the game has the timeless, magical qualities of legend." Matthew Busby was born in the village of Orbiston, Lanarkshire on 26 May 1909. His first taste of English football came on 11 February 1928 when he joined Manchester City from the Ayrshire side Denny Hibs, making his debut in November 1929 versus Middlesbrough. A fee of £8,000 saw Busby sign for Liverpool in March 1936. After the war, although still officially on the books of Liverpool, he accepted the position of Manager at Manchester United on 19 February 1945, joining the club on his demobilisation in October 1945. In doing so he filled a post left vacant since the resignation of A. Scott Duncan in 1937 and temporarily filled by Club Secretary Walter Crickmer. After demob Busby took charge of a club bombed out and derelict and with a £15,000 overdraft. His first signing for the club was Jimmy Murphy, who was to be a great servant of the club serving as assistant manager until 1971. Ironically Murphy was Matt Busby's opposing number in that single international appearance back in 1933. Together they created United's first great post-war team built around the defensive capabilities of Johnny Carey, John Aston and Allenby Chilton together with the attacking skills of Charlie Mitten, Jack Rowley and Stan Pearson. League runners-up in 1947, 1948 and 1949, United were FA Cup winners in 1948 defeating Blackpool 4-2. Runners-up again in 1951, the title flag eventually came to Old Trafford in 1952. Matt Busby and Jimmy Murphy had been quietly planning for the future and the day when this great team would be reaching the end of the road. In 1947 a youth policy was organised based on the pre-war successes of the MUJACs and the scouting system was expanded and reorganised. The early 1950s saw the first fruits of this policy as Jeff Whitefoot, Jackie Blanchflower and Roger Byrne broke into the first team. By 1953 a new team was being blooded in the First Division as Bill Foulkes, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Liam Whelan, Eddie Colman and Duncan Edwards all broke through. League success soon followed as this new young side, soon christened the 'Busby Babes', won the League in both 1956 and 1957 and were Cup finalists in 1957. Busby was still looking to the future, trailblazing the way for English clubs in Europe by entering the European Cup. Defiantly ignoring the threats of the Football League, United reached the semi-finals of the competition losing to eventual winners, Real Madrid. The following season started with high hopes but was overshadowed by tragedy at Munich. United, still challenging in all three competitions, suffered the loss of eight players, the club secretary, trainer and coach. Matt Busby too almost perished. Twice given the Last Rites, he survived to see the team rebuilt by Jimmy Murphy reach the FA Cup Final. Murphy, who had missed the tragedy at Munich because of his commitments as manager of the Welsh national side, brilliantly guided his patched up team to an emotionally charged Wembley Final versus Bolton Wanderers, losing 2-0. Returning to take up the reins of management in August 1958, Busby began to add some big money purchases to his homegrown talent. Players including Albert Quixall, Noel Cantwell, Denis Law and Pat Crerand joined United in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Despite poor League form United fought through to a 3-1 FA Cup Final victory over Leicester City in 1963. A Championship was won in 1965 followed by a second in 1967. Since he first entered United for the European Cup it had always been Matt Busby's dream to win this prestigious trophy. After each of United's Championship victories, in 1956, 1957 and 1965, United had been eliminated at the semi-final stage. This time however United eventually reached the European Cup Final to play Benfica at Wembley. On a night of emotion United defeated the Portuguese giants 4-1 after extra-time to give Busby victory in what was probably his last chance as a manager. It was a fitting tribute to the players and staff killed and injured 10 years before and was Matt Busby's crowning achievement as manager of Manchester United. The following season he took United yet again to the semi-final stage of the European Cup. After 23 years as Manager Sir Matt Busby announced that he would be retiring at the end of 1968/69 season. Relinquishing his coaching duties as Wilf McGuinness took over as manager, Sir Matt Busby became general manager of the club. His retirement was brief, ending on 28 December 1970, with the Directors inviting him to take over again until the end of the season. Then Sir Matt announced his retirement and became a Director of the club, a position he held until 1982. A respected figure throughout his career, Sir Matt Busby was awarded the CBE in 1958, made the 66th Freeman of Manchester in 1967, was knighted after United's European Cup victory in 1968, and in 1972 he was made a Knight Commander of St. Gregory by the Pope. He became President of Manchester United in 1980, was elected Vice-President of the Football League in 1982 and went on to become a life member. He also won the Manager of the Year Award in 1968. In 1993 Warwick Road North was renamed Sir Matt Busby Way in honour of the man described as 'Mr Manchester United'. In addition to managing United he also guided the British Olympic football team to a semi-final place in the 1948 Olympics and in 1958 was Manager of Scotland, giving an eighteen year old by the name of Denis Law his first cap. After a short illness Sir Matt Busby died on 20 January 1994 at Alexandra Hospital, Cheadle. His funeral a week later saw thousands line the streets of Manchester as his cortege drove from Chorlton to Old Trafford and finally to Manchester's Southern Cemetery. Tributes to Sir Matt Busby came from around the world. Perhaps the most poignant came not from the famous but from the ordinary fans, supporters of many different clubs, who sent thousands of shirts, wreaths, pictures and especially scarves creating a multi-coloured memorial to one of the greatest club managers the world of football has seen. A bronze statue of Sir Matt Busby was unveiled on 27 April 1996 at the Scoreboard End of Old Trafford as Manchester United remembered the man who epitomised the club. Trophies: 11 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Feb. - Aug. 1958 Jimmy Murphy  |
Welsh international wing-half Jimmy Murphy was with West Brom from 1928 to the outbreak of war. He served in Italy, where he met Matt Busby, and when Busby was offered the United Manager’s job in 1945, Murphy was his first ‘signing’. He was initially employed as Coach and, always Busby’s right-hand man, he was officially appointed assistant-Manager in 1955. Shortly afterwards he became the Wales team Manager, and around this time was offered lucrative jobs in Brazil and with Italian giants, Juventus. A talented Coach, Murphy guided the development of many fine players, but he regarded Duncan Edwards as the finest footballer he ever saw. When the United party flew to Belgrade in 1958, Murphy missed the trip because he was on International duty with the Welsh team for a World Cup qualifier at Cardiff. In the wake of the Munich tragedy, he took charge of United and led them to the 1958 FA Cup Final. In August that year, Murphy made way for the return of Busby. He had been a monumental tower of strength in the months following the disaster. An avid reader and pianist in the classical mould, Murphy resigned as assistant Manager in 1971, although he continued to scout for the club he has served for over 25 years. He died on 14 November 1989. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1932-1937 Scott Duncan  |
Duncan was born on 2 November 1888 in Dumbarton, where he began his career in football with local side Dumbarton. At this time he combined playing with clerical work within a solicitors office. In 1908 Duncan was transferred to Newcastle United for a fee of £105. He made 81 appearances for Newcastle and picked up a League Championship medal in the 1908/09 season and an FA Cup winners' medal a year later in 1910. Scott Duncan was appointed Manager of Manchester United Football Club on 1 August 1932. Prior to joining Manchester United Duncan had been Manager in his native country, Scotland, at Hamilton and Cowdenbeath. As a player he had made a name for himself as a tricky winger with Dumbarton, Rangers and Newcastle United. In his first full season in charge United finished in sixth position. The following season was to be the lowest point in United's history so far. On 5 May 1934, the final day of the season, Manchester United looked doomed to the Third Division North. Placed second from the bottom, United needed to visit The Den, home of Millwall, and come away with a victory. Millwall were one point above United in twentieth position. The team that day lined up as follows: Hacking, Griffiths, Jones, Robertson, Vose, McKay, Cape, McLenahan, Ball, Hine and Manley. United played as though their lives depended on the result and came away with a 2-0 victory and their Second Division status. Manley scored the first and Cape added a second. The following season saw a dramatic improvement with United finishing in fifth position. The 1935/36 season began disappointingly with a 3-1 defeat away to Plymouth Argyle. Nevertheless things improved and after a nineteen match unbeaten run Duncan took United to the top of the Second Division. On 29 April 1936 United clinched the Second Division Championship with a 3-2 victory over Bury at Gigg Lane. This was to be his most successful season with the Club. The following season saw United finish in 21st position and return back to Division Two. On 9 November 1937, the shock announcement was made that Duncan was resigning as manager of Manchester United. Shortly after his resignation Duncan took the manager's at Ipswich and guided the club to the Football League (Second Division). He remained at Ipswich Town until 8 August 1955. Trophies: 1 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1931/32 & 1937-45 Walter Crickmer  |
Walter Crickmer joined Manchester United as a clerk in 1919. Promoted to the position of secretary of Manchester United in 1926, Crickmer served the club faithfully for almost forty years before losing his life at Munich on 6 February 1958. In the aftermath of Munich a club official wrote in the programme "How to write an epitaph for Walter? He was more than our secretary - he was a part of Manchester United....He'd a hand in everything, from helping with the United Review to building the floodlight pylons," (United Review, 19 February 1958). Indeed amongst the many hats he wore was team manager. Although he never assumed the official title of manager, he took charge of team affairs in 1931/32 until A. Scott Duncan was appointed, and again in 1937 when Duncan resigned right up until the appointment of Matt Busby in 1945. It was Crickmer who was responsible for the introduction of the youth policy which flourished under Matt Busby and Jimmy Murphy in the 1950s, when he set up the Manchester United Junior Athletic Club (MUJAC's) in 1938. Crickmer organised a committee of local teachers and institutes from Manchester University to set about encouraging school leavers to join Manchester United. (The MUJAC's built on the success of the Club's 'A' team and the junior 'Colts', which had been set up under the management of long serving ex-player Lal Hilditch). During his time in charge of first team affairs Crickmer was assisted by United scout Louis Rocca. In 1945 he was relieved of his duties with the first team to concentrate on his administration duties. He was renowned for his talents in this field as well as his devotion to Manchester United. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1927-1931 Herbert Bamlett  |
Born in Gateshead in 1882, Herbert Bamlett's first association with football was as a referee. He soon became known as one of the country's top referees, and at the age of 32 became the youngest man to take charge of an FA Cup final, when he was the referee for the Liverpool v Burnley final at Crystal Palace in 1914. During his time as a referee, he was appointed to take charge of the FA Cup quarter-final match between Manchester United and Burnley in 1908/09 season. The match was played at Burnley's Turf Moor ground where the weather conditions were far from ideal, with snow falling heavily. With only eighteen minutes to go and Burnley winning 1-0, Bamlett called it a day and abandoned the match. A replay was organised which United went on to win 3-2! Many said from that moment on that the Gods were on United's side and the FA Cup was destined to end up at Clayton. It did. United went on to beat Newcastle United in the semi-final and Bristol City in the final at Crystal Palace. Herbert Bamlett was appointed manager of Manchester United Football Club in April 1927. His predecessor Clarence Hilditch, who'd filled the role of Player-Manager, made himself available for team selection again when Bamlett was appointed. Before taking up the position at Manchester United, Bamlett had held managerial roles at Oldham Athletic, Wigan Borough and Middlesbrough. In his first three years at United, the team never managed to drag themselves out of the bottom half of the table, finishing eighteenth, twelfth and seventeenth. In the 1930/31 season, which proved to be Herbert Bamlett's final year as manager of Manchester United, the team got off to the worst start in the club's history. In their first twelve matches they managed to register an incredible twelve defeats. Throughout the season United made little improvement and Herbert Bamlett lost his job in April 1931. United were relegated to the Second Division at the end of the season, after finishing bottom of the table. Trophies 1 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1926(Oct)-1927(April) Clarence Hilditch  |
Born in Hartford, Cheshire on 2 June 1894, Clarence "Lal" Hilditch began his footballing career with Hartford and played for local teams Witton Albion and Altrincham before joining Manchester United in January 1916. He was initially played as an outside-left before finding his niche at half-back. By the time he retired in 1932 Hilditch had served United faithfully for sixteen years, but unfortunately had no medals to show for his efforts. Lal Hilditch, holds the distinction of being the only player-manager in the club's history and also the first in the English First Division. When United's manager John Chapman was suspended in October 1926, Hilditch took over as manager of the club until a replacement could be found (which was in April 1927). After playing 332 games for Manchester United, scoring seven goals, Hilditch retired from playing professional football and took over as coach of the United 'Colts' (United's youth team). As a player and a person Hilditch was an extremely likeable character. A cartoon portraying Hilditch in the 1920's had the caption "Lal Hilditch, a gentleman on and off the field". |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1921-1926 John Chapman  |
John Chapman was appointed Manager of Manchester United Football Club in October 1921, after his predecessor John Robson had resigned through ill health. In his first fifteen matches in charge, United managed to register only one victory. This came in a League match against Aston Villa on the 20 November 1921. The team's results went from bad to worse; out of 42 League games played during the season United only managed eight victories. United ended the season bottom of the League table and were relegated to Division Two. Their first season in Division Two for sixteen years began well with six wins out of eight, However the season ended in disappointment with United finishing in fourth position. The following season Chapman successfully led his team to second place in the Division and promotion to the top flight at the second attempt. United's first season back in Division One saw the Club end in a respectable ninth position in the League. During this season Chapman also led United to the semi-final of the FA Cup for only the second time in their history. However any hopes of success were brought to an end as Ernest Mangnall's Manchester City defeated United 3-0 at Bramhall Lane to deny them their first trip to Wembley. Shortly after the start of the following season, 1926/27, on 8 October, Manchester United received the following telegram from the FA. "For improper conduct in his position as secretary-manager of your Club Mr J. A. Chapman is suspended from taking any part in football or football management during the present season". Full details of John Chapman's alleged crime were never made public and to hazard a guess would be unfair. Following the announcement by the FA, the Manchester United Directors ended all connections John Chapman had with the club. Clarence Hilditch, a player under Chapman, succeeded him as player-manager (the only person in the history of Manchester United to assume the role of player and manager jointly). |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1914-1921 John Robson  |
His first club was 'Boro, when he played in goal for the "The Swifts". Whilst at the club he took over as secretary of the Swifts sommittee and also managed team affairs. In May 1899 he graduated to the position of secretary-manager. It was during the same year that the club successfully applied to join the Football League. As secretary of the Middlesbrough Club he came to Manchester to attend the annual meeting of the Football League with Mr Harry Walker, and they told the League many reasons why their club should be elected - what they did not tell was that they did not have a team. They were elected, and secretary Robson found his team in less than a week. Robson remained as secretary-manager until May 1905, after which he journeyed south to join Crystal Palace where he spent two seasons, before joining Brighton and Hove Albion. At Brighton he enjoyed a considerable amount of success, steering them to the Southern League Championship in 1910. On 28 December 1914 he was appointed manager of Manchester United, the first man to assume the title of manager (prior to his appointment all managers took the position of secretary-manager). During his seven year stay with United, Robson saw the club through the period of the First World War and four years of Regional League football. When war came to an end in 1918, and League football resumed the following season, he found that the team was very different to the one he'd inherited five years earlier. Many of the great pre-war side had been transferred or were nearing the end of their careers. The two seasons following the war saw United finish in twelfth and thirteenth position respectively. His seven-year association with the club came to an end in October 1921 when he retired on the grounds of ill-health. Shortly after, in 1922, a heavy cold led to pneumonia, which took his life on 11 January 1922. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1912-1914 John Bentley |
James John Bentley was born in Turton, Lancashire in June 1860. He grew up with football as his father encouraged the game and his two brothers Tom and William both played for the local club, Turton. Bentley first played for Turton in November 1874. They were a man short for a match against West Houghton so the young fourteenth-year-old filled in at half-back. By the age of twenty he had been elected captain and went on to become the secretary and treasurer of the club. Bentley went on to further his football career with Bolton Association; this led to him earning several county caps. He gave up playing at the early age of 25 and became a collector of income tax in Bolton. He later became the Chairman of Bolton Wanderers 1895, but shortly afterwards, in 1897, he left the club. The earliest records United hold of James John Bentley date back to 1903 when he was chairing meetings of the board of directors of Manchester United. Here his name regularly signs the minutes of the board meetings, and continues to do so until December 1908. Bentley was a shareholder in Manchester United holding ten ordinary shares as of the 26 November 1907. During this time he was also controller of the Lancashire FA. He also served on the committee of the Football League from 1888 to 1893 and 1910 to 1912; he became Vice- President in 1893/94; President from 1894 to 1910; and a life member in 1912. In view of all the senior positions he held it is very easy to see why he was one of the candidates considered for the position of manager to Manchester City Football Club in 1912. However, this time he lost out to Ernest Mangnall. As Mr Mangnall moved across the city of Manchester, James Bentley took over the vacant post of Secretary-Manager at Manchester United. During 1912/13 season, Bentley's first season in charge, he guided the Club to the very respectable place of fourth in the League table. However the following season the Club ended up in fourteenth position. On 28 December 1914 a new manager, John Robson, was appointed. James Bentley then stepped down to resume his previous role as club secretary. Throughout his time with Manchester United, Bentley's most inspired move would have to be that of recommending Ernest Mangnall to succeed James West as United's secretary-manager. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1903-1914 Ernest Mangnall  |
Ernest Mangnall was not particularly known for being a football player but more so for being a great Manager. He first began his career in football as a Director of Bolton Wanderers, the town in which he was born. After a successful two year spell at Bolton, he then moved onto Burnley Football Club where he took the role of Secretary-Manager on the 27th December 1899. Here he was noted for bringing the Club through the greatest crisis in its history. The crisis revolved around the lack of money flowing through the Club. At one point Ernest Mangnall himself was the only member of staff not being paid. He even had to mow the pitch himself, all in an effort to cut back on expenses. He resigned from this position on the 2nd October 1903 to take up a similar post at Manchester United Football Club. After an 11 year struggle to gain promotion into the First Division, Ernest Mangnall guided the Club up after only two seasons in charge. In only their second season of top flight football Manchester United were crowned Champions 1907/08. The following season, 1908/09, he led his team to victory in the F.A. Cup Final and in season 1910-11 won the First Division Championship again after the club had moved into a new ground called Old Trafford. He also became the first Manager to win the Charity Shield, in 1908, and repeated this success in 1911. However this marked the end of a great era for Manchester United. It was another 41 years before the League Championship returned to Old Trafford. His reputation and success had been noted by Chairmen all round the country and on the 21st August 1912 it was announced that Ernest Mangnall would be leaving Old Trafford. He only had a short move across the city to take up his new position of Secretary-Manager of Manchester City Football Club! He spent 13 years at City before being released from his contract in May 1924. This was Ernest Mangnall's last position in the world of football. Trophies: 5 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1900-1903 James West 1892-1900 A. H. |
Manchester United Football Club was first formed in 1878, albeit under a different name - Newton Heath LYR (Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway). Little suspecting the impact they were about to have on the national, even global game, the workers in the railway yard at Newton Heath indulged their passion for association football with games against other departments of the LYR or other railway companies. Indeed, when the Football League was formed in 1888, Newton Heath did not consider themselves good enough to become founder members alongside the likes of Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End. They waited instead until 1892 to make their entrance. Financial problems plagued Newton Heath, and by the start of the twentieth century it seemed they were destined for extinction. The club was saved, however, by a local brewery owner, John Henry Davies. Legend has it that he learned of the club's plight when he found a dog belonging to Newton Heath captain Harry Stafford. The club was renamed Manchester United Football Club around this time |
