The explosions stopped. Manchester fell silent.
All through the City smoke billowed from the wreckage where the bombs had struck.
Amongst the rubble lay the beams of a football ground.
When he heard the news James Gibson sat down and cried. All his hard work of the previous decade lay in the ruins of Old Trafford.
But James Gibson wasn't about to give up and walk away. He had already rebuilt United once, and he vowed he would see the phoenix rise from the flames again.
When Old Trafford was bombed by the German Luftwaffe on 11 March 1941 United were a much more stable football club than they had been for some time, producing young prospects and with a strong support.
Chairman James Gibson had rejuvenated the club from their darkest hours 10 years earlier and but for the suspension of football because of the outbreak of the War, may well have brought long overdue success to the red side of Manchester.
What he must have felt when he heard the news that Old Trafford had been bombed we can only speculate, but we do know that he sat down and cried. It was the only time his son Alan, who was to serve United himself with distinction for almost 50 years, ever saw his father cry.
James Gibson could have been forgiven for giving up at that moment. He had already spent 10 years of his life changing the fortunes of a once great club which by the end of 1931 was on its last legs.
When Gibson took on the task of rebuilding United they were hugely in debt, so much so that the banks had refused to give the club any further credit and it was only a matter of time before the club was wound up.
United literally needed a miracle. Just six days before Christmas 1931 they were to receive the greatest gift in their history.
James Gibson was a local businessman, born and bred in Salford. He was a fierce believer in the local community and loved his sport. Gibson was aware of the plight of United and had been saddened by their demise.
It had been arranged that club secretary Walter Crickmer was to meet Gibson at his home in Hale Barns on 19th December. That meeting is hardly mentioned in the United history books, but it is one of the key moments in the history of the club.
The meeting wasn't a long one. Crickmer put the plight of the club to Gibson who listened intently. If Gibson had decided not to help the club would have gone under.
The club's debts were huge, the country was in the grips of a depression and the only real income came from attendances on match days which had been falling rapidly.
So when Crickmer left with a cheque for £2,000 it was the biggest Christmas present he could have hoped for.
That £2,000 paid for the backlog of players wages, held the creditors off until after Christmas and gave the staff a turkey each for Christmas.
Gibson also promised to attend matches over the Christmas period with the possibility of him providing further assistance after the New Year.
It was the start of a 20 year association Gibson had with the club, and one which would see the fortunes of the club change in remarkable fashion.
Whilst Gibson was the new man in charge, becoming Chairman in 1932 and overseeing a new Board appointed, he put on record in the local press that he wanted to see the club shares as widely distributed as possible so that no man, least of all himself, would be able to have a controlling interest.
The first thing Gibson needed to do was win back the confidence of the United supporters. Attendances had slipped to an all-time low and the new Chairman knew that with no other money coming into the club except turnstile receipts, something had to be done to bring the fans back to Old Trafford.
The Chairman took the supporters into his confidence, arranging meetings with the supporters group to explain what his vision was for the club.
Gibson also arranged for steps to be built from the platform at the station at Old Trafford and for trains to stop on match days so supporters could have an easier journey to Old Trafford.
The supporters began to return to the club and, although the team continued to struggle on the pitch – narrowly avoiding defeat which would send them down to the Third Division on the final day of the 1934 season – things began to improve.
United continued to leak money and James Gibson knew that something had to be done to bring in new players without paying transfer fees.
Gibson knew that if he could harness the talented youth of the area they could build a team around them. In 1937/8 he created the Manchester United Junior Athletic Club (MUJAC), a formal youth team system.
The newly formed MUJACs was visionary – it would be the birthing ground for the conveyer belt of players United have produced through their own ranks - but they needed a home, and Gibson arranged a tenancy at the Old Broughton Rangers ground, known as The Cliff.
Life remained tough financially for United, but at least now they had the foundations laid for success. The MUJACs were delivering on the pitch, winning the Chorlton Amateur League in 1939, scoring an incredible 223 goals in the process.
Just as things started to look better the Second World War intervened. Football was effectively suspended and players were amongst those who went to the battlefields and never returned.
The War was also being fought nearer home, in the skies above the country, and that fateful day in March 1941 when Old Trafford was destroyed.
Having heard the news of the bombing, Gibson immediately sprang into action.
The main stand had been completely destroyed and had to be removed before any work could be done on a new structure.
It was far from easy with the War continuing unabated to gain Government permission to demolish the stand and start rebuilding. With so much material needed for other structures damaged in the bombing Gibson and United had to be patient.
It was only through the Chairman’s continued persistence that the War Damage Commission finally granted United enough funds to remove the damaged stand and, after further pressure, to provide enough for the stands to be rebuilt.
In all, 10 clubs had been damaged in the bombing raids and it was only the determination of Gibson via Stoke MP Ellis Smith that prompted the debate which finally led to funds being made available for the grounds to be rebuilt.
United also needed a place to play their home games, with Old Trafford unable to host games after the resumption of football. Gibson arranged for home games to be played at City’s Maine Road stadium until such times as United could return home – that day would not come until 1949.
After the War much had changed. United needed to rebuild like all teams, and they also needed a new manager to guide them through the brave new world.
Gibson was a shrewd judge of character and saw something in an untried Scotsman that he liked. Matt Busby was appointed as Manager and in the first two seasons after the resumption of football United finished runners-up in the league.
In 1948 United also reached the FA Cup final, where they took on the mighty Blackpool. The seasiders had the likes of Matthews and Mortensen in their ranks, but United triumphed, winning the final 4-2.
Chairman Gibson was unable to watch his side’s triumph at Wembley, having suffered a stroke in the months before the game. There is little doubt that he would have been quietly satisfied with the outcome of the game, but would have already been planning how to build on that success in the future. His son, Alan, had also been appointed to the Board of Directors at the club in 1948 – the start of a lifetime of service to the club.
With Gibson unable to travel to see the game, the team returned to Manchester with the Cup, and visited their Chairman to present him with the trophy.
United continued to come close to the league title, finishing runners-up again in the 1950-51 season. As the new season started there was fresh hope that United would finally win that elusive title, and they were duly crowned League Champions in 1952.
Sadly for Gibson he would not live to see the trophy at Old Trafford. He had been attending games at Old Trafford up until the end, but passed away from a second stroke in September 1951.
It was a sad day for United. The Chairman’s seat would remain empty.
Never again would the man who had given two decades of his life to save the club from ruin and rebuild their fortunes sit amongst the Old Trafford faithful on match days.
Sean Bones of the Manchester United Supporters Trust is in no doubt of the importance of James Gibson to the club: “James Gibson was there when the club faced extinction and needed him. He realised in essence what Manchester United was all about in terms of community. By example he gave his everything to save the club and with a huge amount of kindness and nurturing. He created the environment at Old Trafford for Manchester United to grow, which in time gave supporters the opportunity to have their dreams fulfilled.”
Little is known about United’s fortunes before the War, and far fewer supporters are aware of the contribution of the likes of Gibson and club secretary Walter Crickmer.
Bones believes the club’s roots should not be forgotten: “It's very important that the stories from United's history and formation are passed down to the younger generations of the United family. James Gibson character, style and vision has play a huge part in shaping the heritage of the club and the traditions we follow today. He should be remembered and honoured from within the club in the same way other great figures in Manchester United's history have been.”
It is hard to understand the significance of James Gibson’s contribution to United. The club now are valued at over £1billion and are a worldwide brand.
Back in 1931 United were on the brink.
Gibson’s personal contribution in today’s terms would be in excess of £2million, but his impact was far greater than just money.
His vision and determination pulled United through one of the darkest times in the club’s history and set the foundations for the future – a future which has been paved with gold.
James Gibson should not be forgotten.
Written by Andrew
All through the City smoke billowed from the wreckage where the bombs had struck.
Amongst the rubble lay the beams of a football ground.
When he heard the news James Gibson sat down and cried. All his hard work of the previous decade lay in the ruins of Old Trafford.
But James Gibson wasn't about to give up and walk away. He had already rebuilt United once, and he vowed he would see the phoenix rise from the flames again.
When Old Trafford was bombed by the German Luftwaffe on 11 March 1941 United were a much more stable football club than they had been for some time, producing young prospects and with a strong support.
Chairman James Gibson had rejuvenated the club from their darkest hours 10 years earlier and but for the suspension of football because of the outbreak of the War, may well have brought long overdue success to the red side of Manchester.
What he must have felt when he heard the news that Old Trafford had been bombed we can only speculate, but we do know that he sat down and cried. It was the only time his son Alan, who was to serve United himself with distinction for almost 50 years, ever saw his father cry.
James Gibson could have been forgiven for giving up at that moment. He had already spent 10 years of his life changing the fortunes of a once great club which by the end of 1931 was on its last legs.
When Gibson took on the task of rebuilding United they were hugely in debt, so much so that the banks had refused to give the club any further credit and it was only a matter of time before the club was wound up.
United literally needed a miracle. Just six days before Christmas 1931 they were to receive the greatest gift in their history.
James Gibson was a local businessman, born and bred in Salford. He was a fierce believer in the local community and loved his sport. Gibson was aware of the plight of United and had been saddened by their demise.
It had been arranged that club secretary Walter Crickmer was to meet Gibson at his home in Hale Barns on 19th December. That meeting is hardly mentioned in the United history books, but it is one of the key moments in the history of the club.
The meeting wasn't a long one. Crickmer put the plight of the club to Gibson who listened intently. If Gibson had decided not to help the club would have gone under.
The club's debts were huge, the country was in the grips of a depression and the only real income came from attendances on match days which had been falling rapidly.
So when Crickmer left with a cheque for £2,000 it was the biggest Christmas present he could have hoped for.
That £2,000 paid for the backlog of players wages, held the creditors off until after Christmas and gave the staff a turkey each for Christmas.
Gibson also promised to attend matches over the Christmas period with the possibility of him providing further assistance after the New Year.
It was the start of a 20 year association Gibson had with the club, and one which would see the fortunes of the club change in remarkable fashion.
Whilst Gibson was the new man in charge, becoming Chairman in 1932 and overseeing a new Board appointed, he put on record in the local press that he wanted to see the club shares as widely distributed as possible so that no man, least of all himself, would be able to have a controlling interest.
The first thing Gibson needed to do was win back the confidence of the United supporters. Attendances had slipped to an all-time low and the new Chairman knew that with no other money coming into the club except turnstile receipts, something had to be done to bring the fans back to Old Trafford.
The Chairman took the supporters into his confidence, arranging meetings with the supporters group to explain what his vision was for the club.
Gibson also arranged for steps to be built from the platform at the station at Old Trafford and for trains to stop on match days so supporters could have an easier journey to Old Trafford.
The supporters began to return to the club and, although the team continued to struggle on the pitch – narrowly avoiding defeat which would send them down to the Third Division on the final day of the 1934 season – things began to improve.
United continued to leak money and James Gibson knew that something had to be done to bring in new players without paying transfer fees.
Gibson knew that if he could harness the talented youth of the area they could build a team around them. In 1937/8 he created the Manchester United Junior Athletic Club (MUJAC), a formal youth team system.
The newly formed MUJACs was visionary – it would be the birthing ground for the conveyer belt of players United have produced through their own ranks - but they needed a home, and Gibson arranged a tenancy at the Old Broughton Rangers ground, known as The Cliff.
Life remained tough financially for United, but at least now they had the foundations laid for success. The MUJACs were delivering on the pitch, winning the Chorlton Amateur League in 1939, scoring an incredible 223 goals in the process.
Just as things started to look better the Second World War intervened. Football was effectively suspended and players were amongst those who went to the battlefields and never returned.
The War was also being fought nearer home, in the skies above the country, and that fateful day in March 1941 when Old Trafford was destroyed.
Having heard the news of the bombing, Gibson immediately sprang into action.
The main stand had been completely destroyed and had to be removed before any work could be done on a new structure.
It was far from easy with the War continuing unabated to gain Government permission to demolish the stand and start rebuilding. With so much material needed for other structures damaged in the bombing Gibson and United had to be patient.
It was only through the Chairman’s continued persistence that the War Damage Commission finally granted United enough funds to remove the damaged stand and, after further pressure, to provide enough for the stands to be rebuilt.
In all, 10 clubs had been damaged in the bombing raids and it was only the determination of Gibson via Stoke MP Ellis Smith that prompted the debate which finally led to funds being made available for the grounds to be rebuilt.
United also needed a place to play their home games, with Old Trafford unable to host games after the resumption of football. Gibson arranged for home games to be played at City’s Maine Road stadium until such times as United could return home – that day would not come until 1949.
After the War much had changed. United needed to rebuild like all teams, and they also needed a new manager to guide them through the brave new world.
Gibson was a shrewd judge of character and saw something in an untried Scotsman that he liked. Matt Busby was appointed as Manager and in the first two seasons after the resumption of football United finished runners-up in the league.
In 1948 United also reached the FA Cup final, where they took on the mighty Blackpool. The seasiders had the likes of Matthews and Mortensen in their ranks, but United triumphed, winning the final 4-2.
Chairman Gibson was unable to watch his side’s triumph at Wembley, having suffered a stroke in the months before the game. There is little doubt that he would have been quietly satisfied with the outcome of the game, but would have already been planning how to build on that success in the future. His son, Alan, had also been appointed to the Board of Directors at the club in 1948 – the start of a lifetime of service to the club.
With Gibson unable to travel to see the game, the team returned to Manchester with the Cup, and visited their Chairman to present him with the trophy.
United continued to come close to the league title, finishing runners-up again in the 1950-51 season. As the new season started there was fresh hope that United would finally win that elusive title, and they were duly crowned League Champions in 1952.
Sadly for Gibson he would not live to see the trophy at Old Trafford. He had been attending games at Old Trafford up until the end, but passed away from a second stroke in September 1951.
It was a sad day for United. The Chairman’s seat would remain empty.
Never again would the man who had given two decades of his life to save the club from ruin and rebuild their fortunes sit amongst the Old Trafford faithful on match days.
Sean Bones of the Manchester United Supporters Trust is in no doubt of the importance of James Gibson to the club: “James Gibson was there when the club faced extinction and needed him. He realised in essence what Manchester United was all about in terms of community. By example he gave his everything to save the club and with a huge amount of kindness and nurturing. He created the environment at Old Trafford for Manchester United to grow, which in time gave supporters the opportunity to have their dreams fulfilled.”
Little is known about United’s fortunes before the War, and far fewer supporters are aware of the contribution of the likes of Gibson and club secretary Walter Crickmer.
Bones believes the club’s roots should not be forgotten: “It's very important that the stories from United's history and formation are passed down to the younger generations of the United family. James Gibson character, style and vision has play a huge part in shaping the heritage of the club and the traditions we follow today. He should be remembered and honoured from within the club in the same way other great figures in Manchester United's history have been.”
It is hard to understand the significance of James Gibson’s contribution to United. The club now are valued at over £1billion and are a worldwide brand.
Back in 1931 United were on the brink.
Gibson’s personal contribution in today’s terms would be in excess of £2million, but his impact was far greater than just money.
His vision and determination pulled United through one of the darkest times in the club’s history and set the foundations for the future – a future which has been paved with gold.
James Gibson should not be forgotten.
Written by Andrew