Why United played a home game at Goodison

As Manchester United prepare to embark on what will be our final trip to Goodison Park, it is worth pointing out that the Reds once played a home game on Everton’s turf.

With Old Trafford badly damaged during the bombing that took place in the Second World War, United were forced to groundshare with Manchester City’s Maine Road.

However, there was an issue when the 1947/48 FA Cup fourth-round draw took place as both teams were handed home ties. Matt Busby’s men would face his former club Liverpool, while City were to host Chelsea.

With all the ties kicking off on a Saturday, a venue was required for the battle against the Merseysiders.

It was reported that it was an expression of Busby’s confidence in his charges that he agreed to stage the fixture on Liverpool’s doorstep, and he certainly had the backing of the club’s fans, who prepared to make an exodus to watch a game billed as ‘the match without a home’.

The Manchester Evening News wrote: “It was Manchester’s biggest invasion of Liverpool. They came by air, train and 400 motor-coaches.” Yes, apparently, flights were put on from Manchester Airport to Speke, charging four pence per head per mile. Others boarded work-trains, queuing from 5:30am and it became clear this game had really caught everyone’s attention.

Everton installed 80 turnstiles, reputedly only fewer than at Hampden Park and Wembley, but could predictably not accommodate the thousands streaming towards the stadium.

The gates were closed half an hour before kick-off and an estimated 12,000 fans were left milling towards the Bullens Road, with onlookers saying it was nigh-on impossible to get anywhere near a turnstile.

Mounted police helped to keep everything in check but some boys scaled a wall at St Luke’s Church in order to gain entry and the crowd swelled to around 75,000, smashing the record attendance.

One newspaper the next day reported the figure as 74,721 and there were worrying effects of overcrowding with St John’s Ambulance staff helping people caught in the crush, with some fainting and requiring medical attention.

Local reports paint a traditional picture of rosettes and rattles in the stands as the two teams entered the field, with Liverpool wearing white as the away team and “very new black numbers”, according to The Daily Echo. United captain Johnny Carey elected to play into the strong wind in the first half and the tie was effectively over before the interval, as three goals inside six minutes cheered the Reds fans crammed inside Goodison.

See our video about the blue shirt we wore in the 1948 FA Cup final.

The Echo acknowledged United looked “polished and confident”, with Jack Rowley opening the scoring from an angle, following a pass by Charlie Mitten.

When a free-kick was only partially cleared, Rowley fed Johnny Morris to blast a second past keeper Ray Minshull and, from the restart, Rowley’s header left Mitten clear to race through and slip home a third.

Liverpool, who had future manager Bob Paisley in their side, tried to get back into the game, with Billy Liddell coming closest, when hitting a post.

One match reported noted: “United are fast, crafty and tenacious but the big secret of their success is unselfish teamwork and loads of stamina.”

It was right for the cup fever to take hold as Busby’s side kept going in the competition. A similar issue for the next round ensured a home clash with Charlton Athletic was held at Huddersfield Town’s old Leeds Road ground.

Preston North End were overcome 4-1 at our temporary home Maine Road, with Old Trafford still out of action, and we went on to lift the trophy at Wembley when beating Blackpool 4-2 in a classic final. This was our first piece of silverware since 1911 and certainly one achieved the hard way.

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