In March 1909, Manchester United chairman and general benefactor, John Henry Davies, funded the purchase of a piece of land between the canal and the railway at Trafford Park. Archibald Leitch was appointed architect and plans were drawn for the construction of a large, lavish football stadium. Old Trafford, as it was duly named, was built in under a year and opened on 19 February 1910. With a capacity of 77,000 and a 12,000 seat main stand, it was thought to be the best stadium in the country.
The Old Trafford stadium and the neighbouring residential streets will have been together for 100 years. Other famous grounds have come and gone: Maine Road, Highbury, even Anfield and Goodison Park are coming to the end of their working life. The centenary of Old Trafford is remarkable milestone.
Like any long-term neighbours, there's bound to be disputes and niggles over the years, but the centenary is a time to celebrate the past and look forward to a harmonious future. We congratulate Manchester United and its supporters. We're proud they sing about our neighbourhood in their songs.
All the lads and lasses
with smiles upon their faces
walking down Warwick Road
To see Matt Busby's Aces
We want the centenary to celebrate the neighbourhood too. We're asking fans and residents how we can use the centenary to mark a new period of mutual respect.
Examples could include anything from neighbourhood street signs having a centenary emblem on them,
or United, Supporters, Residents etc. coming together to sign a neighbourhood charter
anything, the only limit is your imagination
Comment on our blog or write to your Labour Team for Gorse Hill; details on our contact page.
Or why not join the Labour Party?
Together we can make a difference.
Planning Submission to be made late September
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