Seasons 1939 - 1945
original illustrations of the kits worn during the seasons

'Tangeru' Change Kit
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unitedkits_number_0543

Kit Notes:

United lost most of their playing kits when Old Trafford was bombed in March 1941. Purchasing replacements was made difficult by the introduction of clothes rationing in June, and the club relied on borrowed kits from local sides including neighbours City.

Unfortunately with only limited photographic evidence it is impossible to identify all of the kits worn by United in the regional war games. We have concentrated on United's own kits rather than those lent to them by other clubs. It is entirely possible that the black/white hooped third kit was only worn by the club's junior sides, although after several years use it would almost definitely appear to be black and gray hoops!. We also know that United continued to wear white shirts and black shorts as an alternative third kit.

We believe United's goalkeepers wore a heavy woolen green jersey as the home kit, and a royal blue jesey as the change.

 
1939/40

United, competing in the Western Region War League, finished the season in fourth place, but with atendances rarely topping 8,000 lost £6,500 during the capaign. Notable exceptions were the two 'derby' games in the War League Cup, both games attracting crowds in excess of 21,000.

1940/41

United were forced to rent Maine Road for home games after Old Trafford was hit during an overnight air raid on March 11th/12th. United won the Lancashire Cup, beating Burnley 1-0 in the Final, and finished in 8th place in the League. They lost in the League Cup first round, 4-3, on aggregate, to Everton.

1941/42

United were fourth in the League North First Championship, and finished top of the Second Championship. In the War Cup (North), they beat Blackburn 5-2 on aggregate in the first round, but lost to Wolves 5-4 in the next round. They were beaten 2-1 on aggregate by Blackburn in the Lancashire War Cup second round, having beaten Oldham in the first round

1942/43

United won a second Lancashire War Cup. They beat Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield in the first leg, with goals from Jack Rowley, Stan Pearson and Alf Bellis. Rowley bagged a brace in the return leg with Billy Roughton scored the other in 1 3-3 draw. United again competed in the Football League North, finishing 4th in the Principal Championship, and 6th in the Second Championship.

1943/44

United were runners up in the League North First Championship, but were unable to replicate this form in the New Year, finishing 9th in the Second Championship. They progressed to the second round of the War Cup (North), losing to Birmingham 4-2 over the two legs. The 32,992 crowd for the home tie easily the biggest of the season. Even the five games against City, failed to attract more than 19,000.

1944/45

United were 30th in the first League North Championship, and hardly improved after the turn of the year, just scrapping into the War Cup (North) competition proper. They then sailed past Burnley (7-2 on aggregate), Stoke (10-2) and Doncaster (5-2)and Chesterfield (2-1). They lost the first leg of the FInal against Bolton 1-0 at Burnden Park. Despite goals from Billy Wrigglesworth and Bill Bryant, they could only draw the return leg 2-2, but the game attracted a crowd of 57,895.