Paul McGrath Written by John White for Manchester United Then & Now “Cinderella Man” is the story of the Irish-American boxer James J. Braddock. He was a supposedly washed-up fighter who came back from obscurity and became the Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World from 13 June 1935 to 22 June 1937. On 10 November 1982, Paul McGrath made his competitive debut for Manchester United, a 0-0 draw away to Bradford City in the 3rd Round of the League Cup. He was football’s Cinderella Man. Paul was born on 4 December 1959 in Ealing, London to an Irish mother, Betty, and a Nigerian father ..read more

Written by John White for Manchester United Then & Now Sir Alex Ferguson described Roy Keane as the best he’s ever worked with, aspiring footballers and Reds everywhere worshipped the ground he walked on but above all else, Keano epitomised the unwavering spirit and desire to succeed which Manchester United stands for. The Cork-born midfielder began his career with Cobh Ramblers after failing to gain an apprenticeship in English football. However, the legendary Brian Clough took him to Nottingham Forest for a bargain £47,000 in 1990 before he completed a then-record £3.75 million swit ..read more

Manchester United once again started the match on the front foot, out played the Saints and go up a goal up by half time. United are unable to manage the rest of the match and once again, just like Burnley and Middlesbrough, concede the equalizer and can only hang on till the final whistle. Unlike last season where United were able to come from behind, away from home, and go on to win the match, this season they have lost all confidence. Rangnick’s men are unable to put in a full 90 minutes and players are being picked despite not playing well. United started the match with a lot of energy and ..read more

Just another day supporting Manchester United. It is hard not to make things sound more dramatic than it is but when you are seeing actual conflict between players and staff it is hard to get behind United. However, fans always find a way and this troublesome United side are no longer Ole’s Odd Bunch they are certainly Ralf’s Rabble. They welcome the visit of Southampton who have caused trouble against United for several seasons now. Apart from the amazing 9-0, United have not had it their own way against the south coast side. It is like they crumble when they face them. However, they have not ..read more

Man Utd were knocked out of the FA Cup on Friday to Middlesborough in a penalty shootout. In the January transfer window Man Utd did not bring in a single transfer. A head scratcher at the very minimum, and a failure in many peoples eyes given their lack of depth in the middle of the pitch. Man Utd’s window consisted of letting Anthony Martial and Donny van de Beek leave on loan, Martial looks primed to stay at Sevilla. While United lend Everton a midfielder player that could be useful incase of injuries, but the return of Paul Pogba softens that blow. Rivals fighting for that fourth spot did ..read more

Written by John White for Manchester United Then & Now It was on this day 64 years ago that the heart and soul was cruelly ripped from the heart of Manchester United Football Club. In their first two away fixtures of the 1957-58 European Cup Manchester United used scheduled airline services to avoid the players from experiencing the fatigue of long journeys by road, rail or sea. However, their return journey from the Czechoslovakian capital, Prague, following a game versus Dukla Prague on 4th December 1957, had been beset by problems. A fog over England forced the aircraft transportin ..read more

Taken from Kicking Through the Troubles by John White (empire-uk.com) – Buy your copy now My Early Years I was born on 23 August 1962 in Belfast City Hospital, the first born child to John McDermott White and Rosaleen White (nee Doherty). Mum told me that for the first five years of my life we lived in her Mum’s house at 34 Harper Street, Short Strand, Belfast. My brother David was born in the front bedroom of my Granny Doherty’s house and in December 1966 the first of my three sisters, Donna, was born. I cannot recall everything that happened to me during the first five years of my ..read more

Taken from Kicking Through the Troubles by John White (empire-uk.com) – Buy your copy now Introduction There are places I remember, All my life, though some have changed, Some forever not for better, Some have gone and some remain, All these places have their moments, With lovers and friends I still can recall, Some are dead and some are living In my life I’ve loved them all But of all these friends and lovers, There is no one compares with you, And these memories lose their meaning, When I think of love as something new, Though I know I’ll never lose affection, For people and things that went ..read more

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