In 1902, the Newton Heath was in debt for 2,670 pounds, and the creditors received a warrant for the club liquidation. Captain Harry Stafford and 4 local businessmen invested 500 pounds and managed to save the team from disbanding. To mark the beginning of a new page in the team’s history, they changed the name to “Manchester United”.
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1998 - Present
The upper part of the inner shield of the Manchester United crest displays a ship that actually originates from the Manchester City Council coat of arms (a ship can likewise be found on Manchester City’s logo). Below the ship, there is a bigger drawing depicting a devil – the devil was first incorporated on the crest in 1970. A minor change was done in 1998 when “Football Club” was removed from the bottom banner. Instead, the banners only text out “Manchester United.”
1973 - 1998
In 1973, the colors have changed slightly, however, they continue to be red and yellow. A red and yellow banner across the top with a wordmark “MANCHESTER UNITED” and below is a red, white, and yellow shield with a ship above a red devil holding a pitchfork with two football on either site. On the bottom is an arched wordmark “FOOTBALL CLUB” in black.
1970 - 1973
In the ’70s Manchester United made changes back to a more familiar crest. The crest is now only red and yellow. Again wordmark “MANCHESTER UNION” with the shield that has the ship on top and continuing with a striped banner on the bottom with two footballs on either site. Below is a wordmark “FOOTBALL CLUB” in yellow on a red background.
1960 - 1970
In the ’60s Manchester Union changed to an angled red and black wordmark “MANCHESTER UNITED” above a red, white, and black shield with a ship at the top and striped banner below with to white flowers on either side. At the bottom is an arched shaped wordmark “FOOTBALL CLUB” in black on a white background.
1943 - 1960
A major change to the Manchester United crest in the ’40s. A red and black banner across the top with a wordmark “MANCHESTER UNITED” and below is a red and white shield with a ship above a devil holding a pitchfork with two football on either site. On the bottom is an arched wordmark “FOOTBALL CLUB” in black.
1902 - 1943
The original crest was gleaned from the logo of the Manchester City Coat of Arms. All that remains of the original crest is the ship in full sail.
The golden bends in red are derived from the arms of the Lords of Manchester, who ruled the city prior to 1301. The chief shows a ship in full sail, a symbol of trade and enterprise. The crest shows a globe covered with bees, representing the world, to all parts of which the goods of the city are exported. The bees are a symbol of activity. The supporters, an antelope, and a lion are derived from the arms of King Henry IV, Duke of Lancaster.
The motto means “By council and work,” and is derived from a phrase in Ecclesiasticus 37:16: “Let reason be the beginning of every work and let counsel go before every action.”
1891 - 1902
The yellow and green crest from Newton Heath has a shield with a football on top. A green and yellow striped banner is attached at the bottom of the shield.
1878 - 1891
Manchester United original name, Newton Heath LYR Football Club was established in 1878. The club was found by the department of railway depots in the Manchester Newton Heath area. During this period, the team mainly consisted of workers of the railway company and played against the teams of other departments, and in 1888, the club joined the local league. The shield, which is dominated by the yellow and green and the featured train.