CITY 

Introduction: 

Manchester is the “capital” of the north. The River Irwell to the west is the natural boundary with the City of Salford. The city population is currently 520,000 and that of Greater Manchester is 2.7 million. 

Brief History: 

Like many English towns and cities, Manchester was first known as a Roman fort, called Mamuciam, in 80 AD. The leaving of the Romans in 407 AD saw this settlement disappear. In the Domesday Book a village called Mamecester existed, which was eventually changed to Manchester. By the 13th century a manor house and church had been built, which together with the annual fair, turned Manchester into a medium sized town. 

The middle ages saw the formation of woolen and leather industries and in the 16th century saw the arrival of the grammar school. The 17th century saw two outbreaks of plague and the town supported the Parliamentarians in the Civil War. The town, in the next century saw the coming of the Industrial Revolution and a boom in the cotton, linen, textiles and silk industries. This period also brought new prosperity which meant an infirmary, theatre, newspaper, canals and quay, street lighting etc., as well as fine Georgian houses. 

However, this also brought slums and disease for the working population. In 1832 over six hundred people were killed by cholera. 

Still, the city progressed and horse drawn buses, railway to Liverpool and the Manchester Guardian arrived. In 1838 the town became a Borough, the population continued to grow rapidly, parks and a cathedral followed. In 1853 Manchester was made a city and further expansion continued with the Town Hall, Library  and Manchester Ship Canal. 

However, the twentieth century saw the decline of the traditional industries and by the end of the century tourism and shopping had become big business. 

In the 21st Century Manchester is known as the Northern power house, being a leader in transport, the arts and sport. 

Things to Do: 

For all transport information contact   www.tfgm.com 

National Football Museum:

This museum which used to be based in Preston, is now located at the Urbis Building in Manchester, sat nav M4 3BG. The museum holds a large range of football related exhibitions which are changed regularly and spread over six floors. Whether you are a player, a fan, or family of same, then there is much to explore and enjoy. Entrance is free and there is a café and shop. There are guided tours, if wanted, and the museum is open until 5pm every day, except the three days of Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The museum is easy to access with trains and trams at Victoria Station just across the road and the free metroshuffle from Deansgate and Oxford Road station stop outside the Urbis. 

Heaton Park:

Is the largest municipal park in Europe. It has, within its boundary a boating lake, 18 hole golf course, animal farm, ornamental gardens and a tram system. There is also a Grade 1 listed Hall, which sadly, is not open to the general public. There is also “one of” car shows, concerts, drama and musical productions. Eating and drinking facilities are available. To visit by car use sat nav M25 2SW. From the city centre take bus 135 (another ten routes serve the park from Greater Manchester locations). There is also a metrolink tram station at the park. For further information,  contact 0161 773 1085. 

Museum of Science and Industry:

This is a fascinating museum which collects and displays industrial, scientific and manufacturing objects, that were mainly made and used within the Manchester area. Vehicles, office equipment, and company paperwork, etc. are also obtained and shown. Based in Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester, M3 4FP, it is open every day until 5pm, except the three days of Christmas and New Year’s Day. There are two eating areas and a shop. 

Manchester Cathedral/Hanging Bridge:

The cathedral was made over in the 19th century, giving it a more modern look than it actually is. It possibly dates from 923 AD when a church was first built on the current site. From that point various barons and families have added new structures so that eventually the cathedral became the building it is today. Of interest are the Misericords, which are hinged seats in the quire stalls. Underneath these seats are wooden carvings that portray medieval tales and legends. They are said to be amongst the best in Europe.

Also of great interest is the Hanging Bridge. This can be seen in the Visitors Centre and is of medieval origin. Originally, there was a ditch between the church and town and a bridge was built to carry people to and fro. However, the ditch became filled in and properties built on same, hiding the bridge. This was rediscovered by Victorian builders and is now on view. The cathedral is located in Victoria Street, M3 1SX and can be contacted on 0161 833 2220. 

Imperial War Museum North:

This museum tells the stories of wars that Britain and the Commonwealth have been involved in since WW1. Like most museums it has an ever changing programme of exhibitions. Located on Trafford Wharf Road, Stretford, M17 1TZ, the museum is open daily until 5 pm, except the three days of Christmas. There are various eating areas and a shop.

To get to the museum you can use trams which stop a short walk away over the canal. This connects you to Piccadilly, Deansgate and St. Peter’s Square. Three bus routes, 50, 250 and X50, pass by and there is a very large car park.

The museum can be contacted on 0161 836 4000 or by email to contact@iwm.org.uk  

Museum of Transport:

Owned by Transport for Greater Manchester, but run by volunteers, this is one of the largest such museums in the country. The cores of the display are buses from the original local authority fleets that have now been brought under one Transport Authority wing. The pieces range from a Victorian Horse bus of 1890 through to trams and to those buses of the late twentieth century. It is a “fascinating journey through time.”  The museum is open from 10am to 4pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. There is free parking on adjacent roads but if travelling by public transport then the 135 bus (Corporation Street, Manchester to Bury) which stops at the Cheetham Hill Road/Queens’s Road junction is the best option.

Based in Cheetham, the modest entry prices are £4 for adults and £2 for children. There is a café and shop on site. 

Manchester Town Hall:

When Manchester was granted city status the council wanted a big new town hall to go with this honour. Designed by Alfred Waterhouse and completed in 1877, this is what they got. Originally the building housed the Surveyor, Treasurer, Chief Constable and all the other departments a city needed, together with an assembly hall.

Now, a Grade 1 listed Neo-Gothic Building, the Town Hall is opened for various tours, including one of the clock tower. You need to contact the office to find out when and where tours are taking place. The phone number is 0161 827 7661. Once inside there is the Sculpture Hall Café. The Town Hall, together with the Library, is based in the heart of the city at Albert Square and is served by many buses and trams. 

Lowry Centre:

Housed in a futuristic, modern building located in Salford Quays, the centre was initially built to house L.S.Lowry paintings, which are famous for their “matchstick men.” Now, it is much more. As well as the galleries which have changing exhibits there is a theatre which puts on drama and music. Admission to the art galleries is free and open every day until 5pm.The theatre is open until 11pm. There is a restaurant, café and bar, plus a shop.

There is secure parking at The Lowry Outlet Mall.  Eleven bus routes pass through Salford Quays , 50, 69 and 245 stopping outside the Lowry and the rest up to 20 minutes walk away. Two Metrolink tram lines from the city centre pass near to the Lowry:- The Eccles line and Media City line. 

Night Life: 

From Music Hall to Variety to 1960’s groups like The Hollies and Herman’s Hermits to Oasis and beyond, Manchester has always been a good night out. Like all cities the scene changes regularly and the following are some of the most popular currently:- The Liars Club, Revolucion de Cuba, The Milton Club and Suede. Pubs and bars abound. 

For gay entertainment visit the Village around Canal Street. 

Those who prefer more culture there is the Opera House, in Quay Street, the Palace Theatre, in Oxford Street, for top class musicals and the Royal Exchange, St. Ann’s Square, for drama, and the Lowry at Salford Quays. For What’s On for each of these venues check their relevant web sites. 

Cinema screens can be found in the city centre, Trafford and Lowry centres, Didsbury and Stretford. 

Eating Out:

Being a melting pot of nationalities and cultures the city has restaurants, cafes, fast food outlets to suit all tastes. 

Shopping:

Manchester is a shopaholics destination, with retail in the city centre, suburbia and out of town.

The city centre alone contains House of Fraser (Kendals), Selfridge and Harvey Nichols department stores. Added to this are all the major chain stores in the Arndale Centre and then up market boutiques and independent shops in Barton Arcade, The Avenue Spinningfields and St. Anne’s district.

Further out is the Trafford Centre with 200 stores, which are anchored by John Lewis and a further Selfridge department store. Also, there is the Lowry Outlet Mall, at Salford Quays.

Even further out shopping is good at Cheadle, with another John Lewis, Wilmslow and Bolton town centre.

Transport is very good to all shopping areas with details at top of page. 

Please Buy through this advert to help our charity funding

Accommodation:

There is no problem with getting a bed for the night in the city. With 160 establishments, from major top class international hotels down to budget chains down to boutique hotels and good old B&B’s, the choice is yours. They are scattered throughout the city centre and right out to the Airport. Check out accommodation web sites for best deals. 

Transport: 

Buses:

Approximately 120 routes run within and to outer Manchester, with Piccadilly Gardens and Studehill Interchange being major hubs.

Destinations from the city entre include Rochdale, Bolton, Oldham, Bury, Macclesfield, Stockport and Manchester Airport.

There are also 15 nightbus routes.

Further information can be sought at www.tfgm.com/bus or on 0871 200 2233. 

Tram:

The tram system has expanded rapidly over the years and there are currently seven routes:-

Altrincham to Bury via Old Trafford and St. Peter’s Square.

Altrincham to Piccadilly via Old Trafford and St. Peter’s Square..

Bury to Etihad Campus via Piccadilly.

East Didsbury to Rochdale via St. Peter’s Square.

Eccles to Ashton under Lyne via St. Peter’s Square and Piccadilly.

Manchester Airport to Colnbrook.

Media City to Piccadilly via St. Peter’s Square.

Contact for information is by phoning 0161 205 2000 or by emailing customerservices@metrolink.co.uk  

Road:

Good motorway connections are available both locally and nationally. The city is encircled by the M60, which links to following:

M62 from Liverpool to Leeds via Manchester.

M61 links to M6 heading north to Scotland.

M56 links to M6 which runs south to Birmingham and London and which changes to M5 for Bristol, South Wales and South West. 

Railway:

Within the city lie two major railway hubs, Piccadilly and Victoria. These two stations connect Manchester to the rest of the United Kingdom, together, of course, with the local area. For timetables and fares contact:-  www.nationalrail.co.uk..

Air:

Manchester Airport, just 20 minutes from the city centre is the third busiest airport in the UK. As well as car, there are links by rail, from Piccadilly and by Metrolink tram from Colnbrook. 

Taxis:-  Seven companies run services within the city.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Stadium: Old Trafford. Manchester. M16 0RA 

Founded: 1878                                                 

Joined League: 1892 

Chairmen: Avram & Joel Glazer             

Manager: Erik ten Hag

Current League: Premier 

Phone Number: 0161 868 8000 

Website: enquiries@manutd.co.uk 

Brief History: 

The origins of the club are as Newton Heath LYR Club, by workers of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, in 1878. 

They joined the Football League in 1892 and changed their name to Manchester United in 1902. After winning their first League Championship in 1908 and again in 1911, and an FA Cup Final trophy in 1909, no more major honours were won up to WW2. 

Starting in the top flight post WW2 the club employed Matt Busby as their manager in 1945. This good appointment leads to an FA Cup win in 1948 and runners up spot in the League in 1947, 1948 and 1949. Then in 1952, after a wait of 41 years, the League title was won again. Another League title was achieved in 1956 the basis of the team being the Busby Babes who had an average age of just 22. This leads to an appearance in the European Cup where they beat Anderlecht 10-0 but lost to real Madrid in the Quarter Finals. 

After winning the title again in 1957 they again took part in the European Cup.

Beating Red Star Belgrade, away from home, they were travelling back when their plane crashed in Munich, killing 23, including many of the club’s top players. 

Busby had to rebuild his team and by the early sixties had done so, using Bobby Charlton, Dennis Law and George Best as the core. This team won the FA Cup in 1963 and the League title in 1965 and 1967. Then in 1968 the club reached the final of the European Cup, played at Wembley, and became the first English club to win the trophy when they dispatched Benfica, of Portugal, 4-1. 

Matt Busby retired in 1969 and the team went into decline, leading to relegation in 1975 but bounced back the next season. However, the team could not get back to the glory days. They lost to Division 2 Southampton in the 1976 Cup final but did beat Liverpool for the same trophy the year after. 

They won the Cup in 1983 and 1985 and in 1986 the club appointed Alex Ferguson as manager. That elusive success continued until an FA Cup win in 1990 was the start of the glory days again. They beat Barcelona to win the European Cup Winners Cup in 1991, were inaugural members of the Premier League in 1992 and won the League and Cup double in 1994. Another double was won in 1996.

In 1999 they won the treble. That was the Double plus the European Champions League. The first English club to do so.. 

From this point Championships and Trophies were won on a very regular basis, all as detailed in their Honours below.

Honours:    

League Champions :

1908.  1911.  1952.  1956.  1957.  1965.  1967. 1993.  1994. 1996. 1997.  1999.  2000.  2001.  2003.  2007.  2008.  2009. 2011. 2013.  

FA CUP WINNERS:     

1909.  1948.  1963.  1977.  1983.  1985. 1990. 1994. 1996. 1999.  2004. 

League Cup Winners:

1992.  2006.  2009.  2010. 2017.  2023.

Charity Shield Winners:

1908.  1911. 1952.  1956.  1957.  1965*. 1967*. 1977*. 1983. 1990. 1993.1994. 1996. 1997. 2003.  2007.  2008.  2010. 2011.  2013.  *shared. 

European Cup Winners:

1968.  1999.  2008.                                                                                                      

 UEFA Cup Winners :

1991.   

UEFA Super Cup Winners:

1991. 

FIFA Club World Cup Winners:

2008.                                 

Match Day: 

Tickets:

Away fans should consult their own club regarding tickets.

The rest of the tickets are generally sold to club members. To purchase unsold tickets go to the official website and follow instructions. For further information phone 0161 868 8000 or email to:-   tickets@manutd.co.uk  . 

Transport: 

Bus:

Stagecoach bus routes 250 and 251 from Piccadilly Gardens to the Trafford Shopping Centre stop at Old Trafford. 

Metrolink:

Two routes, Piccadilly to Altrincham and Bury to Altrincham stop at Old Trafford. 

Car:

Use satnav to guide yourself to the stadium. You will need an official permit, obtained from the club, to park in the club car parks. 

Air:

Old Trafford is just a 20 minute ride by taxi from Manchester Airport. 

Stadium: 

Opened in 1910, Old Trafford with a capacity of 76100, is the largest club football ground in England. The Sir Alex Ferguson Stand is the biggest in an English club stadium and is three tiered. The two end stands, East and West, are also three tiered but the South Stand appears much lower as it is single tiered and away fans are housed in the eastern end of this stand. Unusually, for such an impressive arena the players emerge on to the pitch from one of the corners. 

3000 away fans can be accommodated and they have an excellent view. Although the away concourse appears cramped it does its job efficiently and food and beers are available. Whether the stadium actually lives up to its “Theatre of Dreams” reputation is apparently debatable. 

There are daily stadium tours, which includes a visit to the museum, currently costing £25 for adults and £18 for under sixteen year olds. These can be booked on 0161 868 8000. There is also a 17000 sq, feet Super Store, located under the East Stand, plus online purchasing.