Giving thanks to Bishop Auckland Football Club
Thirty diehard United fans made a special trip to watch Bishop Auckland FC during the recent winter break, showing their appreciation for the north-east club’s kindness following the 1958 Munich Air Disaster.
As the Reds reeled from the loss of eight first-team players, the Bishops – then known as ‘The Kings of Amateur Football’ – loaned United three players, Warren Bradley, Bob Hardisty and Derek Lewin, to help the club fulfil all its fixtures. Bradley was later signed on a permanent basis, making 67 senior appearances and scoring 21 times.
“The last time we were up in the north-east, in December [for the Newcastle game], I saw a sign saying ‘Bishop Auckland, five miles’,” explains Dave Pye, who travels to away games on the well-known Mostonian coach.
“I said: ‘We should come up here when United aren’t playing and go to watch Bishop Auckland, for what they did for us’. We all agreed it was a pretty good idea.”
Pye then made contact with the Northern League Division club (the ninth tier of English football), who were thrilled with the idea of hosting a band of visiting Reds.
“We were treated like royalty,” enthuses Dave. “A lot of their fans are aware of the links, but I spoke to a few – and some from the other team, Birtley Town – who couldn’t believe it. And the players and the manager couldn’t believe they had these United fans there singing Bishop Auckland songs!
“At the end they were like: when are you coming back? So hopefully it will become a regular thing.”
The group were offered discounted entry, but all refused, explaining that they were there to give thanks for Bishop Auckland’s friendship and to keep the links going between the two clubs.
“The main thing was about showing appreciation and giving them a bit of money,” stresses Pye.
“It shows that football fans are the same at all levels. The best thing was that every one of those people will go home, to their families and friends, and the name of Manchester United will be in high esteem. And that, to me, means everything.”
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