American AngloFUN: Hump Day History!

"Glory, glory, Man United . . . And the reds go marching on, on, on!"

Last Saturday I was fortunate to experience my first professional football game, starring the hubby's favorite team. We (I mean Kieran's mate who generously volunteered himself to drive) made the 5 hour trek to Manchester early in the morning and travelled back the same way late that night. The whole thing was a bit of a blur, but overall a great experience.   Some interesting differences I noticed to American sporting events I've been to...

1) No booze allowed in the stadium. WHAT. How do you enjoy sports without a cheap plastic cup of Budweiser in your hand?

2) Due to issue #1 stated above, you're more likely to see fans holding cups of tea.

3) No vendors selling food, drink, or merchandise in the stands. Oh well, I always found them distracting anyways.

4) Betting agents stationed outside the stadium door helping you empty your wallet in hopes of winning some bets on the sporting event.

5) So much singing!! They had people selling Man United songbooks outside the stadium. It was brilliant.

6) Not as much unnecessary merchandise (i.e. foam fingers, blow-up bats, beer hats/helmets) on sale.

However, I did find the abundance of junk food and post-game traffic to be similar to what I'm used to!

In addition to the new cultural things I learned and experienced, I also found out that Manchester United's home stadium--Old Trafford--has an abundance of history, too. Next month, Old Trafford will turn 102 years old. However, the team itself goes even further back, to the 1870s!

Man United's story began in 1878 by employees of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company wishing to form a recreational football club. Thus, New Heath LYR was started. In 1902 the club was saved from near bankruptcy and re-named Manchester United Football Club.

The club has come back so many times from adversity and near destruction. It survived early financial problems and poor public opinion. It was all but destroyed by German bombs in May 1941. In 1958 a horrendous plane crashed killed most of their star players and critically injured the manager at the time. You have to commend the spirit of the team and the fans that kept them going all these years.

Like me, you might not be the biggest sports fan ever--but everyone can enjoy a good game atmosphere and an interesting back story helps, too!