WE ARE UNITED IV
Ever wondered what it was like supporting Manchester United in the 70's? Relegation threats, hooliganism on your doorstep and pitch invasions weren't that uncommon. The joys of victories and winning trophies were all too scarce, Man United were predominantly a cup team, yes our mighty United looking forward to a good cup run.
Hurt all it may, Liverpool were the English giants at the time with 4 league titles, 4 charity shields, 2 European Cups, 2 UEFA Cups, 1 FA Cup and 1 Super Cup.
With the help of Mr. Vinny Jones we can transport ourselves back for just a few minutes!
"For Irish supporters of United, we still travelled in our droves to The Theatre of Dreams. You got the ferry to Liverpool and the bus from Lime St. to Manchester Piccadilly. The Egg and Spoon for breakfast, heading to the match with friends, the famous Trafford Bar (albeit more run down than the fine establishment it is today), the atmosphere inside Old Trafford was something else and by the time you were out of the ground The Football Pink was out with all the results of the day."
The result, the performance nor the manager didn't take anything away from the fact that if you were a Manchester United supporter, you were United!
Man United... Man United... We'll support you evermore!
This is the chorus that rang around Old Trafford on April 27th 1974. It was after a match in which the great Denis Law hit the back of the net. A goal that was largely booed by the Old Trafford faithful. Why? It was scored for our neighbours from across the city.
An audacious backheel that the king himself failed to celebrate, out of a huge respect for the home team and the ground where he got many a cheer for hitting the back of the net as a red.
"The result a 1-0 win for the away team, which did not as many believe relegate us to the second tier, it was Birmingham winning that same day was the final nail in the coffin. In fact the damage that season was done before Christmas with a poor start to the campaign added to an abysmal away run."
Our manager at the time, Tommy "The Doc" Docherty, our league record W10-D12-L20, however no one was calling for his head that day, instead the fans ran onto the pitch more than once "to show their love for our football club and what the team and the players, past and present had achieved in the top flight up to that point."
A proud Sir Matt Busby witnessed in person the adoring chants as the police pushed the crowd back into the Stretford End...
Man United... Man United... We'll support you evermore!
Vinny was there that day, a game he describes as the worst one he attended, as he was throughout the 1970s. He attended home games and away games, in the first and the second division and mostly didn't even witness a victory.
A true red, supporting Man U through thick and thin, Vinny Jones is United!
Going back to our manager at the time of "The Lawman's" final outing at The Theatre of Dreams, The Doc, he ended the next season with a second division title and followed that with a 3rd place finish back where we belonged in the top flight and also a visit to Wembley for the FA Cup final.
Tommy then went one better the very next year in the FA Cup (1977) against our bitter rivals Liverpool, who were league champs. United going into the tie as massive underdogs won 2-1 to lift the FA Cup.
Coincidentally, Vinny's first game at Old Trafford was against City in 1970 and his best game at The Theatre of Dreams was was against Liverpool in 2012.
Vinny Jones is United!
First Game
"My very first game at Old Trafford we won 3-0, Willie Morgan got a penalty and Brian Kidd got 2, great atmosphere! I watched it from what they called at the time the unreserved terrace, which is now the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand.
A couple of points to note. City beat us 4-0 in the league in December and we could easily have hit them for four or five. Another disappointment being George Best was suspended, after getting a red card for Northern Ireland in his previous game, something that's unheard of now. However, not to worry George came back in the 5th round and scored 6 in an 8-2 victory over Northampton.
Another thing that made it all the sweeter was City were the cup holders at the time!
What a player Best was, I was lucky enough to see him play, twice in Ireland too.
In July 1968 there was a benefit match for Liam Whelan's brother John against Drumcondra and then they got drawn against Waterford in the 1st round of the European Cup in Lansdowne Road.
He was the best player I ever saw!"
Best Game
"The build up all week to it, is there going to be trouble.
One time I was delighted to be in the East stand for this one, I wouldn't say we were right beside the Liverpool fans but close enough to drown out their singing.
All through the game, It's never your fault, it's never your fault, always to beat them it's never your fault!
An Uneventful first half or so I thought until I seen Match Of The Day that night!
Just after half time Rooney scored and the place erupted. Then they made a defensive mistake and Rooney was in again, we were 2-0 up.
Of course Suarez had to score with 10 mins to go and then Gerrard had a free which was heading for the top corner until De Gea got a hand to it to make a brilliant save. Another cross hit Suarez but his header sailed over and wide. Into injury time and Rooney kept the ball in the Stretford end corner and won a free.
That was that. Oh Christ, the relief!
Then Evra's dance around the pitch, haha. In all my years I was never at a Liverpool game so that made it too, the atmosphere that day in Old Trafford reminded me of the 70s."
All Time Man U XI
Schmeichel
G. Neville, Stam, Rio, Irwin
Bobby, Keane, Robbo
Best, Cantona, Giggs
Top Player, George Best
"United to beat Spurs 2-1"
"I would like to say we will finish 4th, yeah I'm still going to say 4th"