How A Lost Dog Saved Manchester United From Bankruptcy
Today, Manchester United is one of the most recognised brands and biggest sporting institutions in the world.
However, things could’ve been very different; Back in 1901, an event occurred that impacted football history forever: A dog went missing in Manchester.
Here’s the story (that many fans don’t know) of how a lost dog played a key role in saving a struggling Newton Heath, the forerunners of Manchester United.
Background: The Club’s Struggles
It started in 1894, with the club, known as Newton Heath at the time, relegated to the Second Division.
Key players departed, and they failed to earn promotion back to the top flight First Division over the following seasons.
By 1900, the club’s financial struggles left them on the brink of bankruptcy and extinction.
The Fundraising Bazaar
In February 1901, the club organised a fundraising event in central Manchester, in an attempt to save them from going under.
The aim was to raise £1,000, which was worth substantially more than it is today, to help ease the financial burdens and ensure the team’s survival.
It turned out to be a failure, and the fundraiser cost the club more than it raised, leaving the club we know and love today in a desperate situation.
The Missing Dog
At the time, a St. Bernard dog, called The Major, was the club’s mascot.
The Major belonged to captain Harry Stafford, and was present on match days with a collection box attached to its collar, to help bring in extra funds.
On the final night of the fundraising bazaar, Major the St. Bernard went missing.
John Henry Davies
The Major’s disappearance led to a chain of events that would eventually save Newton Heath (Manchester United).
The dog was found wandering the streets of Manchester by a wealthy local businessman named John Henry Davies.
Davies was quickly fond of Major the St. Bernard, and wanted to buy the dog for his daughter.
After tracking down Harry Stafford, they eventually came to an agreement, and John Henry Davies became The Major’s new owner.
A plaque for John Henry Davies in the Old Trafford tunnel.
Change In Fortune: The Club Is Saved
Following his dealings with club captain Stafford, John Henry Davies became interested in helping Newton Heath’s worrying financial situation.
Along with Harry Stafford, and two other investors, Davies rescued the club from extinction, and became the new chairman.
In 1902, the club changed its name to Manchester United, and the rest is history.
Thank you, Major the St. Bernard dog.