Manchester United is one of the clubs that has gained worldwide fame in the history of football due to winning numerous domestic and international championships and having a large fan base both in England and abroad. While it owes its success to many players and technical staff, the contribution of a dog named “Major” cannot be forgotten, as it played a significant role in the club’s rise.
Let’s go back a little, specifically to 1894 when “Newton Heath,” the old name of Manchester United, was relegated to the Second Division. After only two seasons in the Premier League, the team’s performance began to decline, leading to a mass exodus of many key players. Despite new signings, Newton Heath repeatedly failed to regain promotion to the First Division, and by 1900, the future looked bleak with the specter of bankruptcy looming.
In an attempt to restore some financial stability, the club organized a fundraising bazaar at St. James’s Hall on Oxford Road in central Manchester from February 27 to March 2, 1901. It was essential to raise at least £1,000, which is equivalent to £80,000 today. Unfortunately, the bazaar failed to achieve its goal, and to make matters worse, the club’s mascot, a dog owned by team captain Harry Stafford, named “Major,” went missing on the last night of the bazaar.
However, as the saying goes, “when things seem at their worst, they often take a turn for the better.” Major the dog reappeared in a restaurant accompanied by the wealthy businessman John Henry Davies, who had found the dog and given it to his daughter as a birthday present. The football players tried to retrieve the dog, but Davies refused.
Despite Davies’ refusal, owning Major made him interested in the club’s affairs and its financial plight. He and four other investors generously donated to rescue the club from its crisis. Davies became the new president of the club, leading to its recovery and participation in domestic tournaments. The club’s name was then changed to “Manchester United,” becoming the well-known club in the United Kingdom today—all thanks to the dog Major.
