Many years ago at a book fair I spotted a menu signed by all the players of Manchester United F.A. Cup winning team of 1948 who had attended a banquet in their honour held at Eccles Town Hall in August that year. Last week I did a bit of further research and found the full story in the now defunct, Eccles and Patricroft Journal, which included a photograph of the team sat at a table in Eccles Town Hall with civic dignitaries sadly the article was on microfilm and the photo was basically a series of dots... however, I copied the article and this is very much it.. Manchester United played Blackpool in the final of the F.A. Cup at Wembley in April 1948 and won the game, 4 - 2, prior to the game, Eccles Council had sent the Manchester United team a message of support and an invitation to bring the trophy back to Eccles. Surprisingly, Johnny Carey the team captain messaged Eccles Council and said the team and the F.A. Cup would be brought to Eccles before the new 1948/49 season began, and true to his word he did. In the first week of August the Eccles and Patricroft Journal reported that a "gaily decorated coach" appeared on Regent Street, Eccles and the top was removed, Johnny Carey and the other players waved to the crowds lining the streets and showed off the F.A.Cup, as the coach drove through. Patricroft, Peel Green, Winton, Monton and finishing at Eccles Town Hall where the players and their wives were met by the Lord Mayor and Mayoress,.(Alderman Mrs N. Hayes and Mrs S. Watson J.P). The Eccles Journal reported that. "Hundreds of children cheered themselves hoarse, parents applauded with little less dignity, and there was more general excitement and more smiling faces since the V.E. and V.J. Day celebrations and the players were delighted with their reception" Inside the Town Hall the Mayor said she was happy to be the first Mayor of Eccles to welcome a team which had won the F.A. Cup, and the fact that it was Manchester United was all the more pleasing because they felt that United belonged to Eccles, just as much as neighbouring towns. moreover United had a root in Eccles, in that their Colts were strong members of the Eccles and District League from which many young players had graduated to first class football. and added that she hoped the reception they had received today would spur them onto win the F.A. Cup next season! Mr G. E. Whittaker a Director of the club said that he had been a follower of the club for over 50 years and these players and staff were the best he had seen, they always played good football and high hopes for next season. Finally the team Captain, Johnny Carey stood up and said that the reception they had received in Eccles had been a "grand get together" and the players were the finest set of fellows he had ever met and hoped they would repeat their cup win and return to Eccles. I thought it was a nice little story from an age less tainted with money and egos, as a Manchester United fan, I couldn't see the team visiting Eccles even if they won the F.A. Cup! Has anybody got that signed menu or a photograph of that day in August 1948 I would love to see them.
