 Fact
or Fiction:
Legend has it that as Newton Heath were close to extinction due to
financial difficulties a rather strange tale was beginning to take shape in the
form of the Legend of Manchester United.
Newton Heath trying anyway
possible to raise funds for the troubled club, held a "Fund Raising Bazaar",
Then current Newton Heath full back Harry Stafford had brought his St Bernard
dog "Major" to the event with a collection box strapped to his back. After
probably being bored Major decided to endeavour to explore the local area &
leave the Bazaar for maybe a more exciting climate, Major was found some
distance away by an associate of a wealthy local business man named John Henry
Davies who owned the Manchester Brewery Company.
Harry had though his dog was lost until he was tipped off that his beloved St
Bernard was in the possession of Davies, Stafford arranged to meet with John
Henry Davies and soon found out that he was pretty reluctant to part with the
animal & had set his sights on presenting Major as a birthday present for his
Daughter.
What happened next forged the
Legend that is now Manchester United as we know it, A stroke of genius from
Harry Stafford saw the Full back strike up a deal by which John Henry Davies
would keep soul possession of Major on the condition he invested money in Newton
Heath keeping the club away from the brink of collapse.
Harry Stafford not only saved Newton Heath & Manchester United but also spent
most of his spare time raising funds for the club & beyond the Call of Duty also
once along with 5 others pledged £500 at a Shareholders crisis meeting to keep
the club from bankruptcy. The F.A. eventually agreed for the club to
change its name from Newton Heath to Manchester United & All Reds should know
that this man is solely responsible for what we all love and follow today.
Harry Stafford is a true Legend in every shape way and form imaginable, 200+
games for the club, spent his spare time keeping the club above water & was a
director at the club.
Thank you Harry & Major, we salute you!!! |
