Brand Story Significant Historical Events Manchester United Restaurant & Bar Corporate Philosophy Legend

Brand Story

Manchester United Football Club was first formed in 1878, albeit under a different name-Newton Heath LYR (Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway). It became a professional football team in 1885 and adopted its present name-Manchester United in 1902. It came from modest beginnings as a workingmen’s social club. In 1886 the team won its first trophy, Manchester Senior Cup.

In the early years, Newton Heath was severely plagued by financial problems, and by the start of the twentieth century, it seemed they were destined for extinction. Fortunately, The club was saved by a local brewery owner, John Henry Davies, who had decided to invest in the club, in return for some interest in running it. This led to a change of name and “Manchester United” was officially born in April/May 1902.

The pre-war years saw the league championship at Old Trafford twice whilst the FA Cup was won in 1909. However, since the Second World War, Manchester United had been far more successful under two renowned managers.

The first was Sir Matt Busby who arrived in 1945 and assisted the team to winning 5 league championships and 2 FA Cups. However, tragedy befell on Manchester United in 1958 when their young team known as the ‘Busby Babes’ was decimated in an air crash in Munich while returning from a European Cup tie in Belgrade. Busby himself was almost killed in the disaster, and his team, which showed great potential to domination English football for years to come, was no more.

Hit by disaster when the tea plane crashed at Munich Airport in 1958, it had taken Matt Busby, the manager, the years to rebuild a team after losing eight players in the disaster. It was in 1968 that Busby’s European ambition was realised in their defeat of Benfica by 4-1 at Wembley Stadium.

He led a new team including the greats like Bobby Charlton and George Best to become the first ever English team to lift the European Cup, beating Benfica 4-1 in the finals.

Then in 1986, Scot Alex Ferguson Was appointed and through his leadership, he led the team to win the FA Cup in 1990. This heralded a start of good times, which were continued with the European Cup Winners Cup success a year later. But in 1992, Manchester United lost the again, 26 years after their previous title win.

The following season saw Manchester United better by winning the double (beating Chelsea 4-0 in the FA Cup final). They were the first club to achieve the ‘double double’ in 1996 as Ferguson continued to bring trophies galore back to Old Trafford. The greatest of all was the 98/99 seasons, which saw them achieve the unthinkable-the treble of league, FA Cup and European cup. This earned Ferguson a knighthood and he followed it up with two more back-to-back league titles.

Indeed, a club formed from humble beginnings has risen, through the tragedy of Munich, the glory of 1968 and on to the ultimate achievement of the incomparable Treble, to it current position of the world’s greatest football club. There is no club in the world that stirs emotions like Manchester United. Manchester United Restaurant and Bar, an extension of the Football Club, is illustrated with passion, depth and imagery captured from the club’s rich history and strong sporting character.

Significant Historical Events

The “Busby Babes” and the Munich Air Disaster

On 6th February 1985, the plane carrying the Manchester United football team, crashed on takeoff on a snow-covered runway at Munich Airport, West  Germany. Seven members of the team died in the crash, and an eighth (Duncan Edwards) was to die later from serious injuries. Eight accompanying journalists and three club officials also perished in the crash.

United were returning from a match with Red Star Belgrade after a 3-3 draw, which had earned them a place in the European Cup semi-finals. Matt Busby, the manager, along with Bobby Charlton and defender Bill Foulkes had survived the crash. But it was to take another 10 years before Busby (and Manchester United) could replace his “Babes” with a winning team, and recover from the tragedy.

Illustrated below is the “Munich Clock” which displays, above the entrance to Old Trafford, the date and time of the tragedy-the clock stopped permanently at that hour as a mark of respect and a perpetual memorial to those who perished.

The Trebles

The treble had been called ‘the impossible dream’. It was considered that the demands of English football made it almost impossible for an English club to achieve ‘the treble’.

The treble meant firstly winning the English Premier League-one of the most demanding football leagues in the world in which every team was capable, on the3ir day, of beating any other team. The Premiership was a massive test of consistency and endurance.

Next were the F.A. Cup-the oldest, most famous, and most competitively contesfed domestic club competition in football. To win the F.A. Cup at Wembley is for many players the ultimate ambition. A domestic knockout competition, the F.A. Cup offers no second chances-one defeat and the team is out.

Finally, and hardest of all, the European Club Champions Cup. The most prestigious club competition in world football. The creams of Europe’s teams, the best from their respective

Countries, contest the Cup the bestows the honour of European Champions. This was also a personal quest for both Alex Ferguson and Manchester United. It was United under the legendary Sir Matt Busby who had paved the way for English Clubs to enter the European Cup. In 1958, Sir Matt’s young prodigies, the Busby Babes were all but wiped out in the Munich air crash while returning from a European game. It took Busby 10 more years to rebuild a team capable of winning the European Cup, which he finally did with his team built around Best, Law, and Charlton. Alex Ferguson had made it his personal Holy Grail for United to be the champions of Europe again.

To win any one of these competitions would be a success. To win all three was unthinkable. Then, in the 1998-1999 season, Sir Alex Ferguson, assembled a squad and a team, which swept all before them. As the season reached its climax in May 1999, with the team within reach of all three trophies, the dramatic events in those final matches will live in the memories of all football fans that saw them.

Manchester United Restaurant & Bar

The Manchester Uestaurant & Bar is a full service dining restaurant operates all day. This sports bar  is a significant part of the concept as it telecasts ‘live’ matches and recorded telecast of soccer games and other major world sporting events and presents popular DJs on a regular basis. The outlet is equipped with sophisticated multimedia and sound & light systems with big projector screens to provide good live sports coverage. Ts F & B menu features western cuisine and asian delights. There is also a range of creative desserts. In addition, the Restaurant & Bar also has a retail section that displays and sells Manchester United merchandise to capture the club’s colourful image.

With Manchester United at its helm, the Restaurant & Bar has an immensely rich brand backing its unique value proposition. This F & B venture is further fortified with powerful marketing collaterals, exclusive merchandise and a wide fan base that strengthen the  exciting experience it offers customers. This formation works purposefully to create a scintillating atmosphere that captures the essence of live sporting event, where fans (not just Manchester United fans) gather to share the winning experience.

Corporate Philosophy

A club formed from humble beginnings has risen, through the tragedy of Munich, the glory of 1968 and on to the ultimate achievement of the incomparable Treble, to it current position of the world’s greatest football club.

There is no club in the world that stirs emotions like Manchester United. Manchester United Restaurant & Bar, an extension of the Football Club, is illustrated with passion, depth and imagery captured from the club’s rich history and strong sporting character. Tapping on the powerful “Manchester United” brand, our corporate philosophy embodies this heritage and character, in bringing the best sporting moments into the dining experience.

Importance of Manchester United Restaurant & Bar’s corporate philosophy:

1. It sets the strategic direction of the brand goals, image and character we seek to achieve.
2. It serves as a guide to the formulation of objectives, strategies, operations and tactics.
3. It frames a set of common organizational objectives that all may work toward achieving.

Vision

To create  the most exciting dining experience built on the inspiration of sports.

Mission

To bring the best sporting moments into the dining experience by embodying the passion, excitement, never-say-die spirit and camaraderie of the world’s most popular sports, distinguished through innovative entertainment, great food and excellent service in exhilarating settings.

Core Values

United

We will play our individual roles to the best of our abilities, con tenuously building a cooperative team culture filled with mutual respect, as we work together as a team, One United.

Pride

We respect the Manchester United brand that we represent; all our guests and the industry standards, and will always strive to present ourselves, and our work with the pride of great champions.

Passion

We are passionate about sports and never-say-die to our jobs and love sharing the “Winning Experience” through service excellence and outstanding products as we work wit a “United Heart” of unbridled passion.

Fun

We are directors of entertainment, continuously creating the most exciting. Lively and sporting fun for the uncompromising satisfaction and enjoyment of our guest.

Sporty

We embody a great sporting brand and will set world-class standards in representing the sorting heritage and culture in the Food & Beverage industry.