[Red Devil]

This from Geordiemancunian in original thread:

Sir Alex Ferguson is the most undesputed successful manager in British football history – winning 18 major trophies during his time in charge of the Reds. Yet despite almost two decades at the Old Trafford helm he remains focused on increasing that tally, bringing yet more silverware to Manchester United.

The Reds boss enjoyed a playing career north of the border that saw him take in spells with Queen's Park, St Johnstone, Dunfermline, Glasgow Rangers, Falkirk and Ayr United. But it is not for his playing of the game that Sir Alex was to become a success.

Following a spell out of the game he moved into coaching, taking up the role of manager of East Stirlingshire, St Mirren then Aberdeen. It was his time at Pittodrie where he earned his reputation as a top coach. He broke the Glasgow dominance of Scottish football to lead Aberdeen to three Scottish titles, four Scottish cups, one League Cup and one European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Following the sacking of Ron Atkinson as manager of Manchester United, the Old Trafford hierarchy moved quickly for his services. They got their man on 6 November 1986.

Ferguson inherited a dispirited team of underachievers who had consistently, to their supporters’ discontent, failed to break Liverpool’s domination. Stuck in the bottom four of the Division One table, Ferguson immediately set about attempting to stave off the very real threat of relegation. Without resorting to the transfer market, he guided United up the table to and eleventh place finish.

By now it was clear to Ferguson that he faced a major job in turning the club around. United were an entertaining side but one that seemed unable to cope with the more physical aspects of League football. In his second season the Reds fared better finishing second behind Liverpool, but the position painted a false picture. The turning point came in the 1989/90 season.

Following a run of games in which the Reds were drawn away in every round, United picked up their first silverware of the Ferguson era. Lee Martin scoring the only goal in a final replay against Crystal Palace to in the FA Cup.

This first trophy opened the flood gates. The European Cup Winners’ Cup was won the following season in Rotterdam, Barcelona defeated 2-1 thanks to a brace from Mark Hughes. Then in 1991/02 the League Cup was added to United’s list of honours.

Sadly the title remained elusive. It was the Holy Grail to United fans, the 26 championships free years being exacerbated by Liverpool’s dominance of the domestic and European game.

In 1992/93 the long wait for the League championship came to an end. The Reds, inspired by £1m signing Eric Cantona, pipping Aston Villa in the final weeks of the season.

The shackles were broken: the double followed in 1993/94, the double-Double (with ‘kids’) in 1995/96, and another title in 1997. Finally United were matching off-field might with on-field success. Liverpool’s dominance was well and truly over.

Sir Alex’s greatest achievement came in 1998/99. No side before or since has achieved a treble haul of Premiership title, FA Cup and European Cup. On an unforgettable night in Barcelona his decision to throw on substitutes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer assured history was made. The pair scoring injury-time goals to win the Champions League and complete the treble.

Ferguson was knighted following that success and some suggested he should retire, believing his desire would wane following the realisation of a dream. Not a bit of it. Another title followed in 1999/2000 and he made it three-in-row in 2000/01. His eighth Premiership duly arrived in 2002/03; his fourth FA Cup a year later came against Millwall in Cardiff.

The Reds had by now entered a period of rebuilding. The side of homegrown players he’d first put together in 1995/96 was now breaking up and he’d recruited new stars like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, brought in to spark a new era of success.

Sir Alex believes that the Carling Cup win of 2005/06 – where the Reds beat Wigan Athletic 4-0 - may well provide the catalyst for a new era of success. And whilst Chelsea may well be the dominant force in the transfer market, Sir remains as hungry as ever for more silverware.

So hungry in fact, that he has put on hold plans for retirement and has set his sights on making Manchester United English football’s - and Europe’s - premier force again.

Source: Manutd.com

This from Salford Red:

This is a brilliant thread for those who love United and care about their history and should be a must read for everyone who comes on here.
Just like to add a couple of quick things.

Newton Heath applied several times to join the football league, each time being rejected, untill they were admitted in 1892.
They first entered the FA cup in the 1886/87 season and their first game against Fleetwood Rangers ended in a 2 - 2 scoreline but they were thrown out by the FA .
Normal time ended 2 - 2 and the referee decided extra time be played, Newton Heath said it should be a replay and refused to play extra time. The match was awarded to Fleetwood.

A great site to bookmark is www.stretfordend.co.uk/
14,000 pages containing every bit of information, facts and figures you could ever need.
Hope it helps spread the word.

From Carly: First official league game was 'v' Sunderland in the Football Alliance, won 4-1 with a crowd of 3000........

And, finally, from kingstreet, the reason for the rewrite: I'm sorry 1970 to 1979 is missing from the history. Docherty, the FA Cup Finals, Relegation, Division 2 all made the 70s easily the best and most interesting decade to start following United!