Season 1911/12
original illustrations of the kits worn during the season
Home Kit
Variant
Home Kit 2
Variant
Home Kit 3
Variant
Change Kit
Variant
Home Kit with large roll top
Home Kit with white undershirt
Change Kit
Variant
The Season in brief
The financial restructure demanded by the F.A. was finally completed in November 1911 when fifteen thousands shares in the club were issued at £1. The company also entered into a new rental agreement for Old Trafford. The immediate impact was several players were transfer listed, including Livingston, Picken, Sheldon and Whalley. United's financial position was not helped by a slump in attendances; the average for League games fell to below 21,000, from over 28,000 the previous season.
United mounted a strong defence of the title until the turn of the year, but eventually finished 12th. On January 6th,at Everton, George Wall, who had been subjected to continuous verbal abuse from one fan, retaliated. Striding into the crowd Wall thumped the fan before returning to the pitch! The club also reached the F.A. Cup quarter finals, and were drawn at home against Blackburn R. The tie attracted the largest crowd of the season, 59,300, and the Board's decision to increase admission prices in the popular side to 1s.(5p), despite a local miner's strike, helped produce record club receipts of £3,114 5s. The game was a 1-1 darw, and United lost the replay 4-2 after extra time, despite leading 2-1 with just six minutes to go.
Photographs from the pre season trial match and of the first team with the Championship trophy reveal that the rounded collar (often repaired with laces) and the high necked shirts remained in use, whilst a new design with a white collar, was introduced. The use of two style of socks also continued through 1911/12.
It is highly probable that the goalkeepers continued to wear an all white shirt. Photographs suggest Hugh Edmonds preferred a thick jersey with high roll-up neck, whilst Harry Moger persisted with a shirt similar in style to that of the outfield players, but worn with a white collared under-shirt. It appears the change shirts were royal blue. The squad photograph from the practice game in August shows reserve 'keeper Hugh Edmonds wearing a design with a darker collar yoke.