Memories Unite Us
Memories Unite Us
Cadbury and Manchester United are teaming up to show how powerful creating and preserving memories can be.
#MEMORIESUNITEUS
As mainstays of British culture for generations - uniting in shared values of community and generosity - Cadbury and Manchester United have provided huge cultural reference points: from the Busby Babes to the Milktray Man, from The Class of ’92 to Crème Egg “How do you eat yours?”
Cultural reference points can be really powerful ways to spark memories and connect with the past - particularly for those who sadly have trouble preserving them.
Inspiring memories to connect to the past is one of many reasons that our regular Reminiscence Sessions take place. You can read more about the sessions here.
Initially set up in 2018, by our in-house museum team, the sessions are now run by Jason Leach - Manchester United historian, MC, matchday host and club legend.
The sessions are vital in allowing the club to keep in touch with our fanbase who are dealing not only with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or memory issues, but also our fans who might’ve lost touch with elements of their social support base. The sessions allow our attendees to talk about memories and events that they hold dear.
Football is culture and acts as a conduit to allow people to re-connect. The passion and joy that talking about the beautiful game can elicit in our attendees is almost uniquely placed. Please scroll down to the bottom of the page for useful tips to set up your own Reminiscence Sessions.
Manchester United are teaming up with Cadbury to turn Old Trafford into a celebration of Cadbury’s 200 Years of promoting generosity in the community.
On 27 April, in our home match against Burnley, the stadium will be adorned with reminders of our shared history. With an iconic timeline of the two institutions, nods to old Cadbury branding around the stadium forecourt and retro Cadbury kiosks inside the stadium.
Cadbury also worked with us to put on an extra special Reminiscence Session, inviting first-team players to join a one-off iteration focusing on memories. Cherished supporters were delighted to spend time with former members of United’s illustrious academy and regale in stories of players and teams of old.
On 27 April, in our home match against Burnley, the stadium will be adorned with reminders of our shared history. With an iconic timeline of the two institutions, nods to old Cadbury branding around the stadium forecourt and retro Cadbury kiosks inside the stadium.
Cadbury also worked with us to put on an extra special Reminiscence Session, inviting first-team players to join a one-off iteration focusing on memories. Cherished supporters were delighted to spend time with former members of United’s illustrious academy and regale in stories of players and teams of old.
CADBURY AND ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH UK
The brand’s impact over the past 200 years, and why we are always so proud to partner with them, extends far beyond chocolate. Driven by generosity and kindness, Cadbury has always lived to nurture local communities and economies.
To mark 200 years of doing this, Cadbury released the limited-edition bars as part of its partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK to support the charity’s search for a cure for dementia and drive awareness of the condition.
To find out more about dementia and the vital work Alzheimer’s Research UK does, and to donate to the cause, please visit the below links.
To find out more about dementia and the vital work Alzheimer’s Research UK does, and to donate to the cause, please visit the below links.
Alzheimer's Research UK
Learn more about the search for a cure about Alzheimer's Research UK
What is dementia?
Learn more about it about What is dementia?
Will you help us protect memories?
Donate now about Will you help us protect memories?
Campaigns, competitions and prize draws
Sign up to Cadbury FC about Campaigns, competitions and prize draws
CADBURY - YOURS FOR 200 YEARS
Cadbury is this year celebrating being part of the nation’s shared memories for two centuries.
Iconic designs of the Daily Milk wrapper are being brought back to mark this occasion, with seven Limited Edition Bar designs available for purchase in the UK.
Brits from every generation should be able to recognise the Cadbury Dairy Milk bar they saw on the shelves when growing up.
Brits from every generation should be able to recognise the Cadbury Dairy Milk bar they saw on the shelves when growing up.
YOUR MEMORIES
We recently reached out to fans of United and Cadbury and asked them to show how #MemoriesUniteUs by sharing their memories of our football club and favourite chocolate brands. Below are some of the best entries so far...
Stephen Johnson
My greatest Manchester United memory goes back to being an eight-year-old nipper in 1962. First game of the season at a sunny Old Trafford. Carried over the crowd to the bottom of the Scoreboard End, I saw the man who was to become my lifetime hero score a brilliant debut header against West Brom. This was one of countless goals scored by The King - Denis Law. I still have a framed picture of 'The Lawman' hanging in my room. I was also able to see the debut of George Best (also against West Brom) but Denis will always be my main man.
Denis Law in action.
Louise Mew
Anytime I eat a Freddo, which is my absolute favourite chocolate bar. My secret Santa this year at work just got my £10 worth of Freddos. I’m a nurse and they got me through the coronavirus pandemic.
Gill Smith
My dad's funeral was the same day as the homecoming parade after United won the Treble in 1999. Our route to the crematorium, along Princess Parkway, was a sea of red and white with fans lining the roadside. My dad - who was a lifelong fan since childhood and a stalwart of the Stretford End - would have loved it. Being at the heart of United's celebration made us smile on the saddest of days.
The bus parade celebrating our Treble success in 1999.
Mark De Bond
As a 63-year-old man, I insist my wife gets me a Cadbury's Easter Egg every year as nothing else tastes so good. It has to be all chocolate though, such as Twirl, Wispa or Dairy Milk. She hates having to buy me one, saying I should just buy it myself. She doesn't understand it tastes so much better if it's a gift!
Martin Spencer
The 1977 FA Cup final, the whole day, but specifically standing at the doors of Manchester Piccadilly railway station. Looking back down the ramp to the station, thousands of United fans singing "Que-sera-sera" in a blaze of red and white, a memory that will live with me forever.
Wayne Fitchett
When I was in Afghanistan back in 2012, I received a support package from back home. And when I opened it, inside was a melted Freddo. I hadn’t had chocolate in months. But that was the best tasting bar I have ever eaten.
Please keep your favourite memories of United or Cadbury's - or both! - by posting on Twitter/X with the hashtag #MemoriesUniteUs.
The 1977 FA Cup final, the whole day, but specifically standing at the doors of Manchester Piccadilly railway station. Looking back down the ramp to the station, thousands of United fans singing "Que-sera-sera" in a blaze of red and white, a memory that will live with me forever.
Wayne Fitchett
When I was in Afghanistan back in 2012, I received a support package from back home. And when I opened it, inside was a melted Freddo. I hadn’t had chocolate in months. But that was the best tasting bar I have ever eaten.
Please keep your favourite memories of United or Cadbury's - or both! - by posting on Twitter/X with the hashtag #MemoriesUniteUs.
Setting Up Your Own Reminiscence Session
You may find these frequently asked questions helpful as you plan to host your own meeting.
What are they?
The sessions are regular get-togethers put on by the club and hosted by Jason Leach. They’re an opportunity for fans who simply want to talk about their memories of and relationship with the club, in a relaxed, informal setting.
WhEN DID they START?
In 2018, the Museum Education team developed the idea for the sessions. After realising that they spent all day surrounded by the club’s history, and whilst they had plenty of education classes for our younger fans, understood that there was a real opportunity to extend these sessions out to incorporate some of our elderly fans.
Who are they for?
They’re for everyone! The sessions are primarily set up to help fans feel connected - they are just as important for fans who feel isolated as they are for fans struggling with memory issues.
WhY are they IMPORTANT?
Connecting and sharing are placed at the heart of everything we do. The sessions act a tool for fans to inspire and re-connect.
Where is the best place for me to set up my own Reminiscence Session in my local community?
First and foremost, a relaxed and comfortable environment with familiar faces can really help. Feel free to engage with potential attendees and their wider support base (families, friends, carers – the more the merrier!)
How should I structure a session?
Developing a thematic approach to each session can be helpful in providing a loose structure which can facilitate conversation – being mindful to ‘go with the flow’. Theming a session will give the meeting purpose and plenty of jumping-off points.