[JasonB]

I believe Sheffield were the first team to be called United, if memory serves Newcastle were the second, and I forget the third.

Newton Heath were only the fourth team to be called United, when they changed their name to Manchester.

Leeds United arrived in 1919, after Leeds City got done for, of all things, paying players.

There are in fact 14 other Uniteds in the English football league, namely Newcastle, Sheffield, West Ham, Carlisle, Southend, Hartlepool, Scunthorpe, Leeds, Torquay, Rotherham, Peterborough, Colchester, Cambridge and Oxford.

It would be nice if fans of Manchester United could remember that.

[munter]

Usually traditional colours are changed when there is a chance of confusion in the visual sense. 
Ireland are usually green, SA green and gold so there is a chance for a mix up by a player or ref.

[Kevan]

I believe Sheffield were the first team to be called United, if memory serves Newcastle were the second, and I forget the third.

Newton Heath were only the fourth team to be called United, when they changed their name to Manchester.

Leeds United arrived in 1919, after Leeds City got done for, of all things, paying players.

There are in fact 14 other Uniteds in the English football league, namely Newcastle, Sheffield, West Ham, Carlisle, Southend, Hartlepool, Scunthorpe, Leeds, Torquay, Rotherham, Peterborough, Colchester, Cambridge and Oxford.

It would be nice if fans of Manchester United could remember that.

And United have more fans than all those combined...traditionally too

[Kevan]

As far as national flags are concerned no doubt there would be uproar if those colours were changed 

[JasonB]

Usually traditional colours are changed when there is a chance of confusion in the visual sense. 
Ireland are usually green, SA green and gold so there is a chance for a mix up by a player or ref.

Yes, many teams have a second kit to avoid colour clashes. But South Africa have changed the colour of both and were still playing in their second kit of white top and turquoise shorts against Ireland.

[JasonB]

And United have more fans than all those combined...traditionally too

Manchester United have about a hundred genuine fans.

[Kevan]

Ah well. Ho hum. Never mind. 

[JasonB]

[Anthony B]

Was away visiting kids this last weekend so missed the game (tracked it on phone but did not watch). My daughter tells me I was lucky that I did not watch as she fears that I would have thrown something hard at the TV  

I believe the colour chnage had to do with sponsorship - by a large supermarket chain in SA - agree - they should be in Green and gold.

I too support a red footie team - but the REAL one that also has a 'blue' team in the same city!!!!  

Hopefully we - as in SA- get to quarters in the rugby as I have tickets for them and would like to watch them play although to watch them play France (probably) will be hugely stressfull 

[JasonB]

Was away visiting kids this last weekend so missed the game (tracked it on phone but did not watch). My daughter tells me I was lucky that I did not watch as she fears that I would have thrown something hard at the TV  

I believe the colour chnage had to do with sponsorship - by a large supermarket chain in SA - agree - they should be in Green and gold.

I too support a red footie team - but the REAL one that also has a 'blue' team in the same city!!!!  

Hopefully we - as in SA- get to quarters in the rugby as I have tickets for them and would like to watch them play although to watch them play France (probably) will be hugely stressfull 

I have respect for Liverpool, partly because of the story of when Leeds won their first English league title in 1969....

Leeds and Liverpool had been scrapping for top spot all year, and though United were ahead, Liverpool were hot on their heels, with a game in hand.

Leeds travelled to Anfield on the 28th April 1969 needing a draw to take the title. They managed it.

Bill Shankly, told Don Revie to take his team over to the Kop. Don and his captain Billy Bremner were unsure, but according to reports...

"The ground fell silent, but instead of being lynched, the Leeds team were surprised to find themselves being loudly hailed as champions by the 27,000 Koppites massed in front of them."


I was only five at the time, so it didn't register at the time, but it's gone down in Leeds folklore, and I for one will always have respect for Liverpool because of it.