Season 1900/01
original illustrations of the kits worn during the season
Home Kit
Change Kit
The Season in brief
Locked in a downward spiral, unable to retain the better players and with falling gate receipts and increasing debt, unable to replace them, Alf Albut's resignation was accepted by the Board in August 1900.
James West was appointed Secretary on August 27th 1900. He had earned a reputation for astute financial management in three years as Secretary at Lincoln. By January, the club were able to announce a small increase in gate receipts and lower wages. After a brief spell in the bottom four, the team were now in a safe mid table position (they would eventually finish 10th). Perhaps West would prove the saviour.
A Grand Bazaar was held over four days from February 27th 1901, at the St. James' Hall in Manchester but was poorly attended. Bad weather and poor results contributed to falling attendances and gate receipts. The club again posted a loss in their annual accounts, and a financial crisis loomed.
On the pitch the 'Heathens' reached their first Manchester Cup Final since 1893, but were comprehensively beaten 4-0 by Manchester City at Hyde Road.
There was no change to Newton Heath's home kit. The club's registered colours are given as white and blue in the Association of Football Statistics annual covering the 1900/01 season. This information was confirmed by contributor Pete Wyatt. A team photograph taken in spring 1901 confirms the style of the club's home shirt had remained unchanged since it's introduction in 1896
We believe the 'Heathens' continued to wear the red/black striped shirt as their change kit, although we have found no contemporary evidence.