My Memories

[bredred]

Recently I promised to start recalling my Manchester United memories, some going back 60+ years. I will commence by an early memory from 1948.

The occasion; Manchester United’s triumphant parade with the F.A.Cup.

Location; Up a lamppost in Albert Square, Manchester.

I had been taken from Lower Broughton to Albert Square, by my mother a non-football follower to see the returning heroes of Manchester United parading the coveted F.A Cup through the town centre in an open top, double decker bus.

I recall it was something special and complained I couldn’t see what was going on, at 7 years of age I was rather small.

With that some United supporter lifted me up a lamp post where I perched, legs over the metal cross piece arms hugging the crown f the lamp. The crosspiece was originally added to the design of the old lamp posts so that the ‘lamp lighter’ could rest his ladder against the lampost whilst lighting the wick of the ‘gas’ light.

A roar went up and into the square the bus arrived.

On the top deck of the red bus were members of the 1948 F.A Cup Winning side. Instantly I was swept up in the euphoria of the occasion. I was at the very second in time, Manchester United’s newest supporter.

There were my newest hero’s:
Crompton, Carey, Aston, Anderson, Chiltern, Cockburn, Delaney, Morris, Rowley, Pearson, Mitten accompanying them was Matt Busby who had steered his side to Wembley by battling through all stages of the FA Cup and by beating first division opposition in every round. This included the 3-0 demolition of champions Liverpool.

I don’t remember much more of the day except the mass of red, white & black scarves and the long walk to the Salford Exchange Bus Station to go home.

Short & sweet memory, but it still lives with me.

More to come when the mists of time clear.

Bred Red

[ScholesEvilTwin]

Absolute quality mate!

Keep em coming!

[traffordbrown]

Seconded. Really interesting to read!

[redom]

Always great to hear about the experiences of some of our more mature reds, I'm sure moments like yesterday were probably even sweeter for your goodself having supported us through the hard times where as a lot of us have been lucky enough to live the majority of our lives with United being top dogs and don't have those memories of having to watch our bitter rivals revel in their success for year upon year, look forward to the next installment.

[bredred]

Ahhh but I was lucky enough to follow Manchester United through the Sir Matt Busby era, the famed Busby Babes, ballet dancing players, bet that gets someone going. the Busby Babes, I recall won the first five F.A Youth Cups, take a look at the 'aggregated 2 leg scores' scores below:

1953 Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers 9-3
1954 Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers 5-4
1955 Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion 7-1
1956 Manchester United v Chesterfield 4-3
1957 Manchester United v West Ham United 8-2

I won't go into deails but I was an avid Youth Team Supporter and saw every one of those finals, even travelling for whichever leg was away, as the FAYC Final in those days was played over two legs. Somewhere I still have a number of programmes stashed away from period.

I also remember the introduction of 'coupons' in the programmes, used for obtaining F.A cup match tickets.

I recall running onto the hallowed O.T pitch with hundreds of other supporters, just dancing with all & sundry, mainly people I'd never met or seen again, but pure joy at seeing the future of our great team was and still is indescribable.

I am hoping from afar, that the current crop of United kids can do it again this year and start another dynasty.

[traffordbrown]

Do you still go to games, Bredred? It'd be nice to think you were going to be going to this year's FAYC final as well!

And where are you based, if you don't mind me asking?

[bredred]

Hi Traffordbrown,

I watch as much football as I can. The EPL is regularly screened on TV here and I can watch heaps on the WWW.

Unfortunalely, unless I win the Lotto, I'll not be attending the 2010 - 2011 FAYC. I am sure I will get to read almost every word written about the match. I may even get to watch some 'video' highlights.

I am based on the east coast of Australia and therein lies the problem of getting to O.T..

My personal opinion, for what it is worth, is that these 'youth matches' allow our kids to shine and get some exposure, something which is almost a non event with the importation of players from around the world.

In my youth I saw players such as Duncan Edwards, Eddie (Swivel hips) Coleman, Albert Scanlan, Bobby Charlton etc etc grow and blossom into great players, who stood up tall and were prepared to be counted because of their love for the game, not the money. Of course there were many more kids who blossomed, my point is simple, give youth a chance.

I asked a question earlier about, a 'ballet dancing' United player. There were no takers on answering so here goes: The person I referred to 'practiced' ballet dancing to incease his leg strength and agility. He scored the fastest goal ever from a distance of 58 yards. I was not there, I wish I had been. Four (4) seconds after the halftime break, goalie off his line by a mile and wham, ALBERT QUIXALL dented the back of the onion bag. Most stop watches had the goal at 4 seconds, others at 3 seconds. Amazing!!!! Another 'record' not often mentoned or even compared with THAT Beckham goal. There again it could not really be compared, In the late 1950's the footballs were much much heavier than current footballs and got even heavier during wet weather.

(Headed a wet 'casey' once and had a migraine for a week. )

United purchased Albert Quixall for a then record 45,000 pounds from Sheffield Wednesday after the Munich disaster. He was referred to by the press as "Golden Boy."

I saw a similar goal scored by a United youngster against Pompey at Old Trafford. In goal for Portsmouth was Norman Uprichard (Courageous Irish International goalkeeper who sadly passed away in February this year.) He had NOT strayed off his line but the feosity of the shot from just on half way took the ball and Uprichar into the back of the net. The score, none other than the great Duncan Edwards. That one I did see with my Uncle & grandfather from a viewing position, opposite the players 'tunnel' mid terrance. There was deathly silence for a few seconds until the fans realised that it was a goal at the old scoreboard end.

BTW, (By The Way) the Quixall goal I referred to earlier was against Bayern Munich in a friendly which United won 2 - 3. At some later stage I will recover some old newspaper cuttings about an incident where a German Football Reporter was instrumental in getting our Golden Boy sent off in a 'friendly match.'

Oh if only I could put EVERYTHING down in words.

A minor postscript, Chel$ki drew at home against Newcastle, Arsenal lost as did Liverpool. What a weekend, that is why I love this game so much! ;D

Have a great day.

[traffordbrown]

Superb. It's a real pleasure reading your posts, I must say!

Didn't realise you were in Oz now! What was the last United game to went to?

[ScholesEvilTwin]

Aye, i second Trafford - absolute pleasure reading them Bredred - keep em coming.

Stories about United i have never heard mention of before.

[Bestie]

Thirded, keep the stories coming Bredred!

[wonderfuel_gas]

Thanks a million for that bredred, great stories and told well. Haven't spoken to you so far actually so welcome to RoM, you're already one of the most highly valued contributers on here.

[samhill]

Fantastic stories!

[Raf's Hairdryer Treatment]

Your third post actually had me trawling the web for more info.

Absolutely fantastic Bredred. Keep 'em coming.

[Bestie]

Glad this has been stickied.

[mattbw7]

This could turn into a book, then you could afford to visit again