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United Through Time - Manchester United history podcast

Part One: Billy Meredith

Season 1, Ep. 6

This is the story of football's first superstar. This is the story of a boy miner who became a global celebrity, the story of a man with as much skill as almost any footballer who came after him in the 20th-century, this is the story of a man who dedicated his life to the improvement of players' rights, this is the story of Billy Meredith.

Billy Meredith is genuinely one of the greatest names in football. Almost a century after his final game for Manchester United and Wales, he is still regarded as one of the best players to feature for club and country.

When Meredith made his final appearance for Manchester City (yeah we'll get onto that) he was only four months shy of his 50th (yes 50th!) birthday. In a career spanning across a quite ridiculous four decades, Meredith had won the FA Cup with both United and City, played more than 300 games for both clubs and had been banned for bribery.

His career, and his career took up most of his life, is one filled with the most brilliant stories. He is the subject of Episode Six of United Through Time and concludes over first series: "The Formative Figures".

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    Host Harry Robinson is joined by Wayne Barton, author of 20+ books on Manchester United, including the excellent recent publications Jimmy Murphy: The Man Who Kept the Red Flag Flying and Eternal: Duncan Edwards.The pair chat after listening to the latest episode of United Through Time, a one-hour documentary on James W. Gibson, who served as club President from 1932 until his 1951 death. Harry and Wayne discuss the enduring legacy of his actions and vision as well as his similarity to United's new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.You can buy Harry's book The Men Who Made Manchester United here and find him on Twitter here.You can see all of Wayne's fantastic work here, and follow him on Twitter here.
  • 8. James W. Gibson

    01:00:46
    This is the story of a visionary businessman who laid the foundations for the modern Manchester United. This is the story of a man who answered United's desperate calls in the Great Depression, who worked with secretary Walter Crickmer to create the Academy and who played a part in the evolution of the football manager by appointing and trusting a fresh-faced Matt Busby after the Second World War. This is the man who rebuilt Manchester United twice. This is James W. Gibson and this is his story on United Through Time.When Manchester United's long-serving President John Henry Davies died in 1927, there were fears that the club, often playing in front of a small crowd inside the vast Old Trafford stadium, would decline. They already had since their pre-World War One halcyon days. Those fears came true, exaggerated further by the 1929 Wall Street Crash and subsequent Great Depression. United needed a saviour, a second coming. Welcome James W. Gibson, a clothing magnate and proud Mancunian.Few men have established the global reputation of Manchester United more prolifically than this Salford-born businessman, who had only a vague interest in football before Walter Crickmer arrived at his house in Hale Barns and asked him to save one of the city's finest institutions.James Gibson would end up saving Manchester United twice.In Episode Eight of United Through Time, this is the story of James Gibson. United Through Time is the podcast delving into the history of Manchester United with extensive original research, thorough interviews, and immersive documentaries. Going in chronological order, the podcast looks at the most influential individuals from Newton Heath to Manchester United in the modern day,Host Harry Robinson - author of The Men Who Made Manchester United - is joined by the following guests:Tony Park, author of Sons of UnitedJim White, author of Manchester United: The Biography, among other worksAlan Embling, great-nephew of James W. Gibson himselfIf you want a signed copy of The Men Who Made Manchester United with a special discount for United Through Time listeners, get in touch on Twitter at @UtdThroughTime or @HarryRobinson64. Alternatively, you can email at unitedthroughtime[at]gmail[dot]com
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    This is the breathtaking story of an old Manchester United manager. This is the story of the ravenously determined man who created the club's academy, who single-handedly dragged the club through a six-year global war, who set up United to be managed by an ambitious young scot named Matt Busby. This is a man who died in the Munich snow. This is Walter Crickmer's story.In 1930, United had nothing. Supporters protested. The bank said, 'no more'. The directors didn't know what they were doing. Walter Crickmer dragged Manchester United back from debt to glory. But by the end of the decade, by which time Crickmer had started Manchester United's world-famous academy and become first team manager too, war had begun. In 1941, United had nothing once again. Kits, records, footballs and everything else was destroyed as a stray Nazi bomb struck Old Trafford. Crickmer single-handedly dragged United back to life. This Wigan-born football fanatic cared deeply for his club and worked tirelessly to ensure its success. When Matt Busby came, yet to be demobbed, he had a team ready for glory. All thanks to Walter CrickmerHe is the subject of Episode Seven of United Through Time and begins our first series: "The Inter-War Years".Host Harry Robinson is joined on this episode of United Through Time by three guests:Tony Park - author of Sons of United, @mrmujac on Twitter.Jim White - author of Manchester United: The Biography, among other books, writer for The Telegraph and United We Stand. @jim1 on Twitter.Alan Embling - nephew of former-United President James W. Gibson.United Through Time is the podcast delving into the history of Manchester United with extensive original research, thorough interviews, and immersive documentaries. Going in chronological order, the podcast looks at the most influential individuals from Newton Heath to Manchester United.
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  • 6. Part Two: Billy Meredith

    01:42:43
    This is the story of football's first superstar. This is the story of a boy miner who became a global celebrity, the story of a man with as much skill as almost any footballer who came after him in the 20th-century, this is the story of a man who dedicated his life to the improvement of players' rights, this is the story of Billy Meredith.Billy Meredith is genuinely one of the greatest names in football. Almost a century after his final game for Manchester United and Wales, he is still regarded as one of the best players to feature for club and country.When Meredith made his final appearance for Manchester City (yeah we'll get onto that) he was only four months shy of his 50th (yes 50th!) birthday. In a career spanning across a quite ridiculous four decades, Meredith had won the FA Cup with both United and City, played more than 300 games for both clubs and had been banned for bribery.His career, and his career took up most of his life, is one filled with the most brilliant stories. He is the subject of Episode Six of United Through Time and concludes over first series: "The Formative Figures".
  • 5. Part Three: Charlie Roberts

    54:13
    United Through Time looks at Charlie Roberts - the first Manchester United captain to lift a league title.The Darlington-born centre half-back was a footballing pioneer. His style of play on the pitch paved the way for future generations and a new tactical system in football. Off the pitch, he was a key member in the creation of the Players' Union, the predecessor to the PFA.Charlie's impact on football is perhaps greater than any of the other figures to be discussed on this podcast so far. This is his story for United Through Time, the new podcast delving into Manchester United’s long and famous history. Going in chronological order, United Through Time will focus on the most important individuals at the club since Manchester United was founded as Newton Heath in 1878.Hosted by Harry Robinson, five guests are heard on this episode as United Through Time covers far more than just football.Guest One: Ted Roberts - the grandson of Charlie Roberts.Guest Two: Paddy Barclay - the esteemed Scottish author and football journalist who acted as biographer for Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho.Guest Three: Gary James - one of the definitive authorities on Manchester’s football history. His latest book 'The Emergence of Footballing Cultures in Manchester: 1840-1919' is a groundbreaking piece of work published by Manchester University Press. It's available to buy now and is a must-read.Guest Four: Richard Butler - a football journalist who started a campaign in 2015 to get greater recognition for Charlie in his hometown of Darlington.If you enjoy the episode, please take the time to leave us a review on iTunes. You can even do it while you’re listening! You can also follow us on Twitter at @UtdThroughTime or check out our website at unitedthroughtime.comMusic creditsFunkorama by Kevin MacLeodLink: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3788-funkorama)License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Whimsy Groove by Kevin MacLeodLink: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4623-whimsy-groove](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4623-whimsy-groove)License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Piano Between by Kevin MacLeodLink: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4212-piano-between](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4212-piano-between)License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)I Knew a Guy by Kevin MacLeodLink: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3895-i-knew-a-guy](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3895-i-knew-a-guy)License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Immersed by Kevin MacLeodLink: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3900-immersed](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3900-immersed)License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeodLink: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba)License: [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Others:Leveled UpPictures of the Floating World - Waves
  • 5. Part Two: Charlie Roberts

    52:36
    United Through Time looks at Charlie Roberts - the first Manchester United captain to lift a league title.The Darlington-born centre half-back was a footballing pioneer. His style of play on the pitch paved the way for future generations and a new tactical system in football. Off the pitch, he was a key member in the creation of the Players' Union, the predecessor to the PFA.Charlie's impact on football is perhaps greater than any of the other figures to be discussed on this podcast so far. This is his story for United Through Time, the new podcast delving into Manchester United’s long and famous history. Going in chronological order, United Through Time will focus on the most important individuals at the club since Manchester United was founded as Newton Heath in 1878.Hosted by Harry Robinson, five guests are heard on this episode as United Through Time covers far more than just football. It’s a three-part episode with each part lasting around 50 minutes.Guest One: Ted Roberts – the grandson of Charlie Roberts.Guest Two: Paddy Barclay – the esteemed Scottish author and football journalist who acted as biographer for Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho.Guest Three: Gary James – one of the definitive authorities on Manchester’s football history. His latest book ‘The Emergence of Footballing Cultures in Manchester: 1840-1919’ is a groundbreaking piece of work published by Manchester University Press. It’s available to buy now and is a must-read.Guest Four: Mark Metcalf – the esteemed football history author who wrote ‘Manchester United 1907-1911, the First Halcyon Years’. You can buy it from Amazon here.Guest Five: Richard Butler – a football journalist who started a campaign in 2015 to get greater recognition for Charlie in his hometown of Darlington.If you enjoy the episode, please take the time to leave us a review on iTunes. You can even do it while you’re listening! You can also follow us on Twitter at @UtdThroughTime or check out our website at unitedthroughtime.comMusic CreditsFrom Chad Crouch: Shipping LanesLoopster by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4991-loopster License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Chill Wave by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3498-chill-wave License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Groove Grove by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3831-groove-grove License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/From ben sound:The Jazz Piano“Songs From the Vault” Fullest Self Slow Moving Landslides Recorded at WISTIA HQ in Cambridge, MA Written, arranged and performed by Dan Mills Engineered, mixed, and mastered by Dan Mills Album art by Michelle Fine