Not many a team hopes to visit this stadium and beat the hosts. It has been a 100 years since the doors of Old Trafford opened and there are as many reasons why it is known as the ‘Theatre of Dreams’. iSporter Pulasta Dhar dedicates this one to Old Trafford’s completion of a century….
When a certain John Henry Davies joined hands with a club named Newton Heath in 1902, a new name was given to it. The club was re-christened Manchester United and it was not until 19th February 1910 that with the help of architect Archibald Leitch that Old Trafford hosted its first match. It is no surprise that it was a rival match with Liverpool and it lived up to its expectation, finishing 3-4 in Liverpool’s favour. If spirits were dampened due to the result, then OT has warmed up over the years, delivering unbelievable games and trophies that are hard to count. The only remaining dampness is that which comes from the incessant rain of Manchester.
In the next 5 years, OT hosted the FA Cup final and in 1920 came the highest pre-war attendance at the stadium when 70,504 people saw United lose 3-1 to Villa. It soon established itself as a stadium of international class and hosted its first international game between Scotland and England, where the Scots won 1-0.
1931 remains a year remembered for United getting relegated to the second division and the economy fell so bad that the help of a local benefactor was needed to set up a road terrace, which today stands in the form of the North Stand. The club made a comeback to the First Division in 1939 and recorded a yet unbeaten attendance of 76,962 in an FA Cup semi played between Wolves and Grimsby.
United’s stadium went through the worse damage compared to any other club in the bombings of 1940 and 1941 and they had to play at Maine Road under Matt Busby and it was the beginning of an uprising. In 1949, United returned to Old Trafford and beat local rivals Bolton by 3-0. United became the most tormenting team in the post-war years and it was in 1957 that floodlights were installed to host the European Cup semi final against Real Madrid.
Consecutive titles and European escapades made United rich and it was announced that OT’s capacity would go up to a 100,000. But the Munich disaster brought a hold to the surging development of the club. Eventually the seating capacity was increased to 66,500.
The first private viewing boxes, souvenir shop, big screens and a cantilever were all part of the refurbishment that came along with the advent of England hosting the World Cup in 1966 and OT selected as one of the hosts. Best, Law and Charlton brought glory days to Old Trafford and until 1974, when United were relegated and safety fences erected to combat the most outrageous problem Britain was facing: hooliganism. Problems were short lived as United were promoted next season. Not many knew Ferguson was just 10 years away….
Cricket matches were also hosted for a few times and seats were erected at the Stretford end apart from the museum and restaurants being opened. Live concerts were also welcome at OT, with tickets being sold off in a couple of hours. The Hillsborough disaster came along the way and it was decided that all stadiums in the First and Second divisions should be seating only. The standing paddocks at OT were converted to seating and fence height reduced.
Ferguson’s era had begun and though he won many trophies, it was not until that United brought home the league after a 26 year wait. Three-tier north stand and the new West stand were erected and the capacity went up to 67,500. The Reds were by now sweeping all before them and Fergie’s fledglings were entertaining crowds unseen in other stadiums.
With the completion of North-west and North-east stands, OT’s capacity went to a little more than 76,000 roaring fans. The Champions League final between Juventus and AC Milan took place here apart from 12 England matches while the new Wembley was being made. The statue’s of trio Law, Charlton and Best was erected in 2008 and evolution off the pitch was being matches on the pitch also.
It is this story which contains many unsaid facts which makes Old Trafford daunting for opposition with the history it captures. The fact is that even if you visit the stadium on a day when there is no match, Old Trafford is such a place that it will not fail to give you goosebumps if you share the passion of that game…..football.
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