GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN by Iain McCartney
T
he Manchester United Graves Society doesn’t simply concentrate on the burial places of those who wore the shirt, but also attempts to find cremation details where and when they apply. Some notable names were cremated. On the other side of the railway line that runs parallel with the main stand at Old Trafford is Railway Road and the majority of supporters, if not all of those, taking this route to the ground on a match-day are unaware that they are passing by the home of a player who features prominently in the history of Manchester United.
On the mor ning of the match, FA representatives, Mr Fredrick Wall and Mr Arthur Kingscott, visited the ground to discuss arrangements for the forthcoming FA Cup Final, to be held at the Old Trafford on April 24th and it was rather fortunate that they had to leave prior to the start of the game as the events of that particular afternoon produced much debate in the days and weeks ahead. As the rain poured down, the 15,000 crowd had to endure more than the adverse weather conditions, with the performances of both teams producing some very dubious play. United began the game quite promisingly and indeed opened the scoring with a goal from Anderson. Liverpool, however, were expected to take both points, as United were not enjoying the best of seasons, sitting in a precarious position, third bottom of the league with only eight games remaining and a place in Division Two beckoning.
Living at number 68 was Enoch “Knocker” Wes t , a s t r ong , robust centre forward of the old school type who had signed for Sheffield United in November 1903, but it wasn’t until he returned to his home county and joined Nottingham Forest that he came to the fore, helping them to the Second Division title in season 1906-07 with 14 goals, going on to score 93 goals in 168 appearances. He also had the distinction of being the first Forest player to be sent off. June 1910 saw the prolific scorer sign for United, scoring on his debut against Woolwich Arsenal and forging a noted partnership with Sandy Turnbull, scoring 19 to the Scot’s 18 in that title winning first season of 1910-11. But his goals, whilst bringing additional Football League representative honours did not bring continued success at club level and his playing career came to an abrupt end as 1914-15 came to a close and not simply due to the advent of the First World War. A Good Friday fixture against Liverpool at Old Trafford on April 2nd 1915, which ended 2-0 in United’s favour, was rocked with controversy, when West, along with seven other players, three from United and four from Liverpool, were found guilty of fixing the result.
Howe ver, a s the f ir st half progressed, the visitors showed little appetite for the game and play sluggishly dragged on to the interval. Half time opinion suggested that the second fortyf ive minutes would see the home side up ag ainst it, as their Lancashire neighbours commit ted themselves more to attack and began to show their true form. As it was to turn out, this was not the case and it soon became obvious to a large majority of the crowd that they were witnessing something a little more involved than a simple game of football. Voices of displeasure soon began to echo around the ground. Play continued to be rather mundane, until a United attack on the visitor’s goal saw a Liverpool defender being penalised and a penalty kick being awarded. Much to the crowd’s amazement, centre half O’Connell stepped up to take the spot-kick instead of the regular penalty taker Anderson. Seconds later, O’Connell’s effort gave the goalkeeper no cause for concern, as it flew well wide of the post. Anderson eventually did secure the points for United with his second goal, although near
the end, Liverpool’s Pagnam almost pulled a goal back, but his shot rebounded off the crossbar, when it looked easier to score. For his effort, he received a severe reprimand from some of his team mates, as the crowd looked on in disbelief. Two valuable points for United, but the press were not lacking in comment on the fixture. “the most uninteresting game ever seen at the ground” wrote the ‘Sporting Chronicle’ correspondent, while the Daily Dispatch reporter penned “United’s West was clearly employed in the second half in kicking the ball as far out of play as he could”. A couple of weeks after the match a letter, signed ‘Football King’ appeared in the ‘Sporting Chronicle’ on behalf of a firm of bookmakers, asking if anyone could help with information relating to several players betting on the United – Liverpool match ending in a 2-0 win for the home side? This opened a can of worms and although the finger of suspicion was pointed at several United players, they managed to keep their minds on playing, with relegation to the Second Division being avoided. In the meantime, a committee was assembled by the Football League to investigate the allegations arising from the match and the referee, John Sharpe, was even quoted as saying that following the penalty incident, he “suspected that something was amiss”, but decided to continue with the game, although it was the most extraordinary match that he had ever officiated over. United manager John Robson, was also disgusted by the performances of both teams and had left the ground before the final whistle. Following many hours of questioning players from both sides, the investigating committee announced that four Liverpool players, along with A. Turnbull, West and Whalley of United were to be suspended sine-die from football. Much was made of the case, and ‘Knocker’ West went to great lengths to declare his innocence in the matter. So incensed was he, that he decided to take the matter to court. Prior to a home match during the First World War, he even stood outside Old Trafford, having made the short journey from his home in nearby Railway Road, handing out leaflets which stated that he was prepared to give £50, quite a sum in those days, to any Red Cross Fund, if anyone could prove that he had placed a bet, or won any money, from the Good Friday fixture. No one ever came forward. On July 5th 1917, some two years after the eventful confrontation, the court case opened and while some players denied all knowledge of any attempts to fix the outcome of the game,
VOL 49 - ISSUE 4 - JULY 2022
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