The Definitive Newton Heath

This book has been around for a while, but as it covers the United years prior to the reformation in 1902 it is hardly going to go out date. Thought I'd make use of my council tax by borrowing it from the local library. I discovered you can browse the online catalogue, reserve books with a click, and pick them up at your local library. Marvellous - rediscovered the lending service after 15 years away.

It's part of my research into the Whalley Range ground venue of Newton Heath's first trophies, and numerous rugby internationals and FA Cup semi-finals & etc. The research has got a bit confusing because I've discovered there was another ground nearby, or possibly the same ground under a different name belonging to West Manchester FC (whatever happened to them?) situated at nearby Brook's Bar.

Anyway it's all good stuff for a stato - dates, scores and scorers along with verbose Victorian newspaper reports and blurry photos. A mention of football fans to be detered from travelling to Blackburn because of an outbreak of smallpox in Manchester caught my attention. Also some good wins over Ardwick (Manchester City) in long shorts and shins pads tied on the outside of the socks.

At £8.99, 80 pages, soft back, A4 size it's still widely available to order and buy.