Sir Alex Ferguson's final speech - Goodbye Old Trafford

Watch Sir Alex Ferguson's final speech to the 76,000 crowd at Old Trafford.

Old Trafford - Front, Side, and Top

The Olympic Stretford End 2012

These stunning pictures were taken on 26/07/2012. Great Britain played Senegal at Old Trafford in the opening game of the men's Olympic Games football.

The carnival atmosphere at Old Trafford to cheer on Team GB was amazing. The Stretford End started several Mexican Waves during the game

Team GB's captain, Ryan Giggs, has called for greater protection from referees after a hard fought draw with Senegal. (Great Britain 1-1 Senegal).

Bobby Charlton's Theatre Of Dreams

Old Trafford (the nickname The "Theatre of Dreams" was given by Sir Bobby Charlton).


The United Trinity, a statue of Manchester United's "holy trinity" of Best, Law and Charlton.

Old Trafford is a football stadium in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, and the home of Manchester United. With a capacity of 75,765, Old Trafford is the second-largest football stadium in England after Wembley, and the eleventh-largest in Europe.

The ground, nicknamed the Theatre of Dreams by Bobby Charlton, has been United's permanent residence since 1910, with the exception of an eight-year absence from 1941 to 1949, following the bombing of the stadium during the Second World War. During this period, the club shared Maine Road with local rivals Manchester City.

The ground underwent several expansions in the 1990s and 2000s, including the addition of extra tiers to the North, West and East Stands, which served to return the ground almost to its original capacity of 80,000. Future expansion is likely to involve the addition of a second tier to the South Stand, which would raise the capacity to over 90,000.

The stadium's record attendance was recorded in 1939, when 76,962 spectators watched the FA Cup semi-final between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Grimsby Town.

Old Trafford: 100 Years at the Home of Manchester United: The Official Story

In the Edwardian era, Manchester was the workshop of the world and its leading football club, Manchester United, was one of the best in the land. Unfortunately, its stadium at Bank Street did not reflect its aspirations. So the directors took the brave decision to build a spectacular new stadium to reflect the club's, and the city's, status. On 19 February 1910, Old Trafford was open for action. Ian Marshall tells the astonishing story of the hundred years that followed. From early triumph, through inter-war depression, Old Trafford saw it all. But when the ground was twice bombed during the Second World War, its entire future was in question. However, under the inspirational managership of Matt Busby, both the team and the ground were rebuilt, and a new era of dominance was ushered in in the 1950s, only for United to be once again struck down by Munich. Speaking to players, employees and fans from across the years, as well as original research into the United archives, Marshall explains how Old Trafford has remained central not just to United but to the fortunes of an entire city. Old Trafford is the definitive story of an iconic venue.

David Beckham V Pitch Invader

David Beckham was preparing to take a corner kick late in Gary Neville's testimonial match at Old Trafford. He was interrupted by an small pitch invader, who was clearly enjoying every second of his time in the limelight as he ran circles round stewards on the hallowed turf.

Old Trafford Champ19ns

This is how Old Trafford looked for Manchester United's final game of the 2010/2011 season. The Champ19ns mosaic was highlighted on the North Stand.



Manchester United Gifts

We are the Champions!!

We are the Champions (nearly) my friends. And we'll keep on fightin' till the end. We are the Champions. We are the Champions. No time for losers (Chelsea), Cos we are the Champions of the world!!!

MANCHESTER UNITED 2 Chelsea 1 (Hernández,Vidic).

Manchester United's prospects of a record 19th league title improved considerably thanks to a sensational first-half performance in their top-of-the-table clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford. (8th May 2011)

Manchester United need just ONE point from their last 2 games (Blackburn and Blackpool) to claim a record 19th League Title. Then Manchester United will truly be the greatest English football team of all time.

European Capital Of Trophies

Manchester United Fans banner on the Stretford End - 'European Capital of Trophies'.

Manchester United Stretford End Jigsaw

Check out all the great Manchester United Jigsaws

Why not rebuild the famous old Stretford End at Old Trafford and relive those wonderful memories everyday. This unique 300 piece Old Stretford End Jigsaw Puzzle, makes the stunning picture shown below, which was taken in 1988, prior to the introduction of the all-seater stadium.

Old Trafford Floodlights

How things have changed! This picture shows the front of Old Trafford as it looked in 1984. You can clearly see three of the original floodlights, that were used for evening matches.

End Of The Old Stretford End

This is how Old Trafford looked from above in 1984. Note the stadium is completely covered on three sides, with the old Stretford End standing proudly alone on the right. Fans could walk freely all around the outside of the ground. The old Manchester United railway station can be seen at the top of the picture.


In March 1992, the final game at Old Trafford for Manchester United infront of the famous old Stretford End. After this picture was taken, the stand was demolished to make way for the new all-seater Stretford End. The dream was over for many Manchester United fans. The end of an era!

The Scoreboard End

The Scoreboard End faces the Stretford End, and is the East Stand at Old Trafford. It was home to the diehard K-Stand United fans (many whom relocated to the Stretford End after changes were made to the ground). It also housed the 'away' fans enclosure in the South-East corner of the ground. It was formerly known as the Scoreboard End, because of the large scoreboard that resided until the late 1960s. In the 1970s an electronic scoreboard was installed.

Old Trafford 100 Years: February 19, 1910 - February 19, 2010

Old Trafford, the stadium of Manchester United was 100 years old on February 19th 2010. On Saturday February 19th 1910, a crowd of 80,000 watched the first ever game at the famous ground, as Man United lost to Liverpool 4-3. A journalist at the game reported this 'The stadium is the most handsomest, the most spacious and the most remarkable arena I have ever seen. As a football ground it is unrivalled in the world, it is an honour to Manchester and the home of a team who can do wonders when they are so disposed'.

In the past 100 years Old Trafford has hosted World Cup and European Championship matches, FA Cup Finals and a Champions League Final and has witnessed countless Manchester United wins, draws and defeats. The ground was given the nickname the Theatre of Dreams by United legend Bobby Charlton, and has been Manchester United's permanent home since 1910.

Pictures Of The Old Stretford End

The world famous Stretford End in 1990.


The famous blue 'Wonderfuel Gas' banner which covered the top of the Stetford End for many years.


In the corner of the Stretford End was the Old Stretford Paddock terrace, offering room for thousands of standing United fans. Notice the beautiful old red fences all around the ground. Old Trafford became the first stadium to erect perimeter fencing in the late 1970's to combat crowd disturbances.


Loyal Stretford End fans at Wembley with their flags and banners. (Manchester United's Jubilee FA Cup victory 1977).


Manchester United 1970's team playing in front of the Old Stretford End. Fans would hang their flags and banners over the Stetford End Tunnel.


A view of the Stretford End from the player's home and away team seats.


The Old Stretford End and Old Stretford Paddock from the outside.


Policemen watching over the famous stand. There were no big red fences before 1976, and fans regularly invaded the pitch to celebrate a United win.


Standing in a packed Stretford End. All together as one! (If you look carefully you will notice the 3000 extra seats at the very top of the Stretford End that were installed for the 1966 World Cup.)

Take a Tour of Old Trafford

About the Stretford End at Old Trafford

My passion is the Stretford End at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United. I love to collect pictures and information about the most famous football terrace in the world.

The Stretford End is a stand on the west side of Old Trafford. It took its name from the nearby town of Stretford, as it is in the direction of Stretford, looking from the centre of the pitch

The Stretford End was the main standing area of Old Trafford, accommodating around 20,000 fans. It was once measured that the roar of the crowd from the Stretford End was louder than a Jumbo Jet taking off. The last game played in front of the famous old terrace was a 3–1 win over Spurs on 2 May 1992 – the final game of the 1991–92 First Division campaign.

Only Denis Law and Eric Cantona have reached the status 'King of the Stretford End' among the United faithful. The former for his formidable goal record, and now Denis Law has his own statue on the Stretford End, the latter for his on-pitch charisma and aura.

Old Trafford: 100 Years at the Home of Manchester United: The Official Story