1940–41 Manchester United F.C. season

Manchester United
1940–41 season
Chairman James W. Gibson
Manager Walter Crickmer
War League North Regional League 8th
War League Cup First Round
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours

The 1940–41 season was Manchester United's second season in the non-competitive War League during the Second World War.[1][2][3]

Many of Manchester United's players went off to fight in the war, but for those who remained, the Football League organised a special War League. The War League was originally split into two regional divisions (Manchester United were placed in the North Division), with 36 clubs involved and positions were decided on Goal Average. Home and Away games were not recognised as such and no points were awarded for draws or wins. United finished the league season with a record of 14 wins, 8 draws, and 13 losses. A War League Cup was also set up to replace the FA Cup, where United lost to Everton in the First Round.

War League North Regional League

Date Opponents H / A Result
F – A		 Scorers Attendance
31 August 1940 Rochdale A 3 – 1 Aston, J. Carey, Smith
7 September 1940 Bury H 0 – 0
14 September 1940 Oldham Athletic A 1 – 2 Farrow
21 September 1940 Oldham Athletic H 2 – 3 Smith (2)
28 September 1940 Manchester City A 1 – 4 Smith
5 October 1940 Manchester City H 0 – 2
12 October 1940 Burnley A 1 – 0 Warner
19 October 1940 Preston North End H 4 – 1 Dodds (2), Buchan, J. Carey
26 October 1940 Preston North End A 1 – 3 Bryant
2 November 1940 Burnley H 4 – 1 Butt (2), J. Carey, Smith
9 November 1940 Everton A 2 – 5 Dodds, Smith
16 November 1940 Everton H 0 – 0
23 November 1940 Liverpool A 2 – 2 Smith, Warner
30 November 1940 Liverpool H 2 – 0 Butt, Smith
7 December 1940 Blackburn Rovers A 5 – 5 Dodds (2), Aston, Bryant, Mitten
14 December 1940 Rochdale H 3 – 4 Smith (2), J. Carey
21 December 1940 Bury A 1 – 4 McKay
25 December 1940 Stockport County A 3 – 1 Smith (2), Burrows
28 December 1940 Blackburn Rovers H 9 – 0 Smith (5), J. Carey (2), Aston, Mitten
4 January 1941 Blackburn Rovers A 2 – 0 (a.e.t.) Smith (2)
11 January 1941 Blackburn Rovers H 0 – 0 (a.e.t.)
18 January 1941 Bolton Wanderers A 2 – 3 (a.e.t.) Mears, Smith
25 January 1941 Bolton Wanderers H 4 – 1 (a.e.t.) Pearson (2), J. Carey, Smith
1 March 1941 Chesterfield A 1 – 1 Smith
8 March 1941 Bury H 7 – 3 J. Carey (3), Rowley (3), Smith
22 March 1941 Oldham Athletic A 1 – 0 Smith
29 March 1941 Blackpool A 0 – 2
5 April 1941 Blackpool H 2 – 3 Mears, Smith
12 April 1941 Everton A 2 – 1 Rowley (2)
14 April 1941 Manchester City A 7 – 1 Rowley (4), Pearson (2), Smith
19 April 1941 Chester A 6 – 4 (a.e.t.) Rowley (5), J. Carey
26 April 1941 Liverpool A 1 – 2 Rowley
3 May 1941 Liverpool H 1 – 1 Rowley
10 May 1941 Bury A 1 – 5 Rowley
17 May 1941 Burnley H 1 – 0 J. Carey
Pos Club Pld W D L GF GA GAvg
7Halifax Town 301013764511.255
8Manchester United 351481380651.231
9Lincoln City 27137765531.226

Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GAvg = Goal average

War League Cup

Date Round Opponents H / A Result
F – A		 Scorers Attendance
15 February 1941 First Round
First leg		 Everton H 2 – 2 Rowley, Whalley
22 February 1941 First Round
Second leg		 Everton A 1 – 2 Rowley

References

  1. ↑ "Manchester United In War League 1940/41". StretfordEnd.co.uk. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  2. ↑ Rollin, Jack (2005). Soccer at War: 1939 - 45. London: Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 0-7553-1431-X.
  3. ↑ "England 1940/41". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). Retrieved 31 December 2011.