The Bindippers Second To Manchester United AGAIN !!

So who did actually sing "You'll Never Walk Alone" first. Would that be Liverpool, Celtic or Manchester United ?

The Bindippers

There is overwhelming evidence that Liverpool Football Club supporters were the first to sing this song en masse. The song was famously covered by Liverpool group 'Gerry and the Pacemakers' in 1963. At this time, supporters standing on the Spion Kop terrace at Anfield began singing popular chart songs of the day. Their "inventive ferocity" was captured on camera by BBC Panorama in 1964. One year later, when Liverpool met Leeds United in the F.A. Cup Final, the travelling Kop sang the same song and match commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme commended the "Liverpool signature tune." The Dippers have been singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' since 1963. Fully 45 years.

Celtic

Celtic sang it on two or three occasions during the 1970s, along with Aberdeen and Hibernian, though it was only popularised and formally adopted by the Parkhead faithful in the mid- to late-1980s. Liverpool were invited to play a charity game at Celtic Park following the Hillsborough disaster in 1989. Both sets of fans sang it together as a symbol of unity and support. Only in the years to follow - as both clubs repeatedly came together in a series of friendly matches - did Celtic begin to sing it on a regular basis, otherwise they have no legitimate claim to the song, nor is there any earlier evidence seriously linking them to it. Liverpool can produce an abundance of written material and video evidence. Celtic not so much.

Manchester United

Manchester United supporter Jane Hardwick asserted in 2004 that she, together with friends from the New Mills Operatic Society, decided to sing the song at "one of the games" following the Munich Air Disaster as her own personal tribute, before spontaneously being joined "by thousands of fans" around her. This would predate Gerry Marsden's faster-paced cover version by five years. However, as one local supporter scoffed:

"Anyone who has watched [or] listened to Carousel will tell you, the composition and performance of the musical version with the popular Gerry Marsden version sounds completely different."

So, to round off, it appears that Liverpool began to sing it in 1963, Celtic began to sing it in the 1970's but..........Manchester United were the first, in 1958. So Scousers, every time you sing this little melody just remember, you came second AGAIN !! We all know that second place is the first LOSER !!

Here are some other versions of it by Elvis Presley, The Three Tenors (30 quid) and by the Celtic and Dipper fans......Back To Home Page

Martin Edwards Was Keen To Get Rid Of Eric Cantona Altogether (Videos)

Manchester United were ready to sack Eric Cantona following his infamous kung-fu kick in 1995 at Selhurst Park. Or rather, Martin Edwards got this idea into his head when he met up with FA Officials to discuss Eric's 'attack'. I think it might be a case of people getting ideas into their heads but who the hell was going to go and tell Sir Alex ? As things turned out no one did and we all know what happened concerning the event anyway, he got a 9 month ban.

In his book, 'FA Confidential', former FA chief executive David Davies says former United chairman Martin Edwards was prepared to ban Cantona for life after the incident at Selhurst Park. He wrote: "Tracing Martin to the Royal Lancaster Hotel, I found United's chairman talking tough. `We're thinking of an indefinite suspension for Eric,' Martin said. `Banning Eric altogether.' "

How Ferguson would have reacted to that will never be known, but Davies suggests the United manager played a big part in convincing his chairman to be more lenient with the club's prize asset at the time.

"Martin realised the seriousness of Eric's conduct but, when he returned to Manchester, he softened his stance," said Davies. "Eric will be banned until the end of the season," Martin announced. "Not indefinite. Not altogether."

A wise choice I feel. I can't see Martin Edwards being too keen on being on the receiving end of a blast from Fergie !! Imagine what Manchester United fans would have missed too. In my opinion he is the greatest player ever to pull on a United shirt since the days of the Busby Babes, there's no question about that !

Rio On MUTV Being Asked Questions About Manchester United, Life, etc etc

Rio Ferdinand appeared on MUTV this week, chatting and answering questions from children and from viewers on the phone.

It was quite interesting really to hear his views but they limited it to 5 or 6 questions that's all, which was a bit annoying to say the least.

Here is what they showed but I'm sure there was more.

If you weren’t a footballer, what job would you be doing now? (Stephen, Sale)
I’d probably be working in the communities in Peckham, where I grew up. I’d be helping out in youth centres or football coaching for kids.

What do you say to your team-mates when they score? (Lee, Gateshead)
I can’t really say because there are normally swear words involved! Usually it’s along the lines of ‘well done’.

What’s it like to walk out at a packed Old Trafford before a big match? (Mark)
When you walk out and the crowd’s going crazy, it’s an amazing feeling - the best.

Did you ever imagine captaining United in a Champions League final?
(Steve, Manchester)
Never. I thought we’d have a chance of making the final but to lead the side out was like a dream. And to go on and win it and get our hands on the trophy was brilliant.

Which team-mates have you played against at international level?
(Paula, Runcorn)
I’ve played against Giggsy, Ronaldo and Nani. Ronny’s quite competitive and Portugal have been lucky to beat us on penalties twice. He’s always got that to throw at us when there are arguments about England and penalties. Next I’d like to play against Sheasy or Fletch.

Hurry Back Rooney Or It's The Bench For You !!

I think Wayne Rooney's injury is badly timed. Not for Manchester United but more for himself !

I'm one of his biggest fans but it has to be said if he is out for a few games he might struggle to get back in the team and the main reason for that is Carlos Tevez.

Tevez linked up with Dimitar Berbatov is a mouth-watering prospect for me. We all know what Tevez is like, he never stops running and he gives 100% every single game. If he loses the ball he is not one of these guys who will stand there with his arms in the air, he is up and after the culprit who took the ball from him. He is always there, snapping at the ankles of defenders and annoying them. If they try passing it to one another he will run between them ready to pounce on the slightest of errors. To play against him must be every defenders worst nightmare come true.

Once he does get the ball back, that's the hard work done for him. With Berbatov in the middle, marked by one or two players, it doesn't matter to him, all Tevez needs do is get the ball into him, he has such a perfect first touch and a lightning fast footballing brain, he can turn defenders inside out and get his shot off. Theoretically, these two, Tevez and Berbatov, are a match made in heaven. If they do hit it off and form a good partnership while Rooney is away, would Fergie break it up again to accomodate Rooney ? I'm not so sure he would !

Of course, there is another option which I am keen to see Fergie experiment with. Play all three of them, Rooney, Berbatov and Tevez, add to that Ronaldo as well and can you imagine the opposition defenders then ? They would see the team sheet and go home. The only bad part of this formation is the fact Ronaldo is so lazy. If he is tackled the hands go up and he stands still looking at the ref. If he got his act together and tracked back then yes, go for it but it would be a gamble right now.

To play a 4-3-3 I would want Hargreaves and Scholes there too actually. Without those two forget it. With Scholes injured for 10-13 weeks it looks like Rooney better get fit again and quick, or he might be left out in the cold !!

Blackburn Rovers 'v' Manchester United Match Preview

Venue: Ewood Park

Date: Saturday, 4 October

Kick-off: 1730 BST

Blackburn look to continue their good form against
champions Manchester United. United have won only
one of their last eight league visits to Blackburn.

Both teams are in good form with Blackburn lying
seventh and United having won their last three
games. But United have been dealt a huge blow
as Rooney, and Scholes who is out for 10 weeks will
not play. To add to that United are already without
Hargreaves and Carrick in the heart of midfield.

Blackburn Likely Line up (4-4-2)

Brown

Simpson - Samba - Nelson - Warnock

Emerton - Olsson - Kerimoglu - Villanueva

Santa Cruz - Derbyshire

'V'

Manchester United Likely Line-up (4-4-2)

Van Der Sar

Neville - Vidic - Ferdinand(c) - Evra

Ronaldo - Fletcher - Anderson - Park

Berbatov - Tevez


Talking Tactics: Blackburn will play be a threat up front
with Matt Derbyshire and Santa Cruz so they will play
high balls as they are both 6ft. Also centre back Samba
is very tall so he will be a threat in corners.

PREDICTION: 1-3: United have too much power in their
team and should beat Blackburn but Rovers will put up
a fight. Ronaldo will cause too many problems for Warnock.
Berbatov is now off the mark, that takes a lot of pressure off
him, so now we could see him open up and go on a great scoring run.

Sercan Yildirim, Rafael, Ji-Sung Park And Wayne Rooney

Turkish whizkid Sercan Yildirim who is still only 18, is a target for Manchester United, according to reports. The Sun newspaper claims that the £5million-rated Bursapor striker, said:

"United have contacted my family and the president of the club.

"When a club with their reputation is interested in you, you have to take notice."

Currently he is his teams top scorer with four goals from four games.

Meanwhile, Park Ji-sung has earned a national recall after being named in South Korea's 29-man preliminary squad for their World Cup qualifier against United Arab Emirates on October 15.

Park was omitted from the team that drew 1-1 with North Korea in September as he was returning from injury.

Meanwhile it seems, Nemanja Vidic is more than happy with the abilities of the young Brazilian, Rafael Da Silva saying he is confident youngster Rafael Da Silva will go on to be a Manchester United great.

Vidic: High hopes for Rafael

The teenage Brazilian was outstanding against Aalborg on Tuesday night before injury curtailed his involvement in a three-goal hammering of the Danish minnows.

At just 18, Rafael is already putting pressure on established right-backs Gary Neville and Wes Brown and it appears only a matter of time before the former Fluminese youngster forces his way into Sir Alex Ferguson's side on a regular basis.

"Rafael will be a great player, he has a very big personality. He played his own game, had the courage to go forward but got back as well. At just 18, he deserves a lot of credit to play at this level, in the Champions League, the way he did. He is not afraid to get forward and did everything else as well. He has a great future at this club."

Certainly it cannot be long before Rafael is banging hard on the first-team door, although the extent of his injury must first be assessed.

Another injury blow for United is that of Paul Scholes, out for 10 weeks with a knee problem sustained in the Champions League clash but there has been no official word on Wayne Rooney's injury. The situation regarding Rooney is slightly more ambiguous as the striker tried to continue after taking a blow to the ankle inside the Aalborg penalty area, eventually limping away before he indicated he could not carry on.

Saturday's game at Blackburn would appear to be out of the question, which would leave his place in England's squad for World Cup matches with Kazakhstan and Belarus in considerable doubt. Fergie will certainly want Rooney available for big matches against Celtic, Everton and Arsenal over the next few weeks, although that prospect is looking on the bleak side. In any event, United's £30.75million record buy Dimitar Berbatov has now hit goalscoring form, cementing his place at Old Trafford.

"Of course the pressure is there to score, hopefully I can deal with that and handle it in a positive way. I feel happy playing in this Manchester United team. It is everything I thought it would be. Ryan Giggs has been here since the beginning and says he never wanted to go anywhere else. I don't want to go anywhere either."