GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN by Iain McCartney
T
he email came through requesting another contribution to ‘Echoes’ and also for that contribution to continue of the theme of the ‘Manchester United Graves Society’. Some, perhaps many, might find the subject matter of little interest, but it is part of the United history, an important part in my eyes, as it keeps the memories of those individuals who played for United or Newton Heath alive and whether they played one game for the Heathens reserves in the 1800’s or 2/300 games for Manchester United in the modern era, they are all part of the United story. Once I manage to find the burial place or cremation details of a player, I then begin looking at their career in order to write up a brief biography of that individual. Some reveal interesting stories. Take George Anderson for instance. Born in the Cheetham area of Manchester in May 1893, he was to score thirty-nine goals in eighty-six Football League and FA Cup ties is a favourable record, but unfortunately, it is quickly forgotten about as George Anderson’s name is more associated with the accusation of fixing United’s game against Burnley in December 1917. Signed from Bury in September 1911 for a fee of £50, he was to make only one appearance prior to November 1912, but by the end of 1913-14 he was leading scorer. Although making a handful of appearances for United during 1915-16, he made his way to Belfast in February 1916 to play for Belfast United without permission and it was only the involvement of the Football League that made him return to Old Trafford where he resumed his United career. In March 1918, despite maintaining his innocence, George Anderson was found guilty of ‘conspiring with certain persons unknown
George Anderson is pictured centre of front row.
to defraud other persons unknown who had made bets on the results of various matches’, with United’s game against Burnley on 29 December 1917 one of those games. He was subsequently banned from Old Trafford, with reports in the ‘News of the World’ of 24 March 1918 adding fuel to the fire and following a court appearance, he was jailed for eight months. BURIAL - Blackley Cemetery and Crematorium. PLOT – BC consecrated 2356 There is also the sad story of Prestwich born James Collinson, one of the earliest known local players to represent the club and he was to score on his debut against Lincoln City on November 16th 1895, having been signed
from local football in August of that year. He was also to score both goals in the Lancashire Senior Cup Final victory over Blackburn Rovers at Goodison Park in 1898. He was also something of a versatile individual, as he could also be found at inside-forward. Employed as a glassblower following his playing career, he was to lose his job due to ill-health and sadly took his own life, leaving a note to his family which read – “Before I am any incumbrance to anyone, I think this is the best step to take. Goodbye and God bless you all.” Jimmy Collinson is buried in Agecroft Cemetery, Manchester. But it’s not just the players whose resting places are eagerly searched for, managers are just as important and I was really pleased recently to find the resting place of the club’s very first manager, Alf Albut. Sadly, there is no headstone for the man. Fredrick Attock, a supervisor at the Carriage and Wagon works of the Lancashire and Yorkshire
34 VOL 49 - ISSUE 2 - DECEMBER 2021
