Newton Heath

Birthplace of Manchester United, steeped in industrial and religious history.

Newton Heath is an area of Manchester, England, 2.8 miles (4.5 km) north-east of Manchester city centre and with a population of 9,883. Historically part of Lancashire, Newton was formerly a farming area, but adopted the factory system following the Industrial Revolution. The principal industry in the area became engineering, although many were employed in the mining and textiles industries in the thriving areas of Clayton Vale and Bradford. Newton included what is now Miles Platting and it stretched to Failsworth. It was bounded by brooks and rivers on all four sides – the River Medlock, Moston Brook, Newton Brook and Shooters Brook. With the creation of Miles Platting the remainder of Newton became known as Newton Heath. Manchester United has strong links with the area, having been formed from the Newton Heath Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Football Club.

Quick Facts

Country: England
Metropolitan borough: Manchester
Metropolitan county: Greater Manchester
Region: North West England
Postcode district: M40
Dial code: 0161

Lore & Background

Newton Chapel, later becoming the Parish Church of All Saints Newton Heath began as early as 1556. It was built of wattle and daub; the first of some 8 Chapels of Ease under the Manchester Collegiate Church. Newton Chapel stood on a wild heath, on the highest ground. The chapel was rebuilt in 1598 and again in 1814. The present neo-classical gothic building of 1814 was built to a design by William Atkinson. The building was extended by a chancel in 1879. The Rochdale Canal made movement of raw materials and finished products a practical reality. Later came other industries, including a soap works, rope works as well as engineering and glass making works.

Reader's Guide

Newton Heath was home to famous companies such as Mather & Platt, who established a vast engineering works producing pumps, electrical machinery and fire sprinkler systems. The aircraft manufacturer Avro was also based in Newton Heath before relocating. Another local engineering company was Heenan & Froude, who designed and manufactured the structural steelwork for Blackpool Tower. P. Frankenstein and Sons Ltd. had their head offices at Victoria Rubber Works.

The Wilson's & Co brewery on Monsall Road was founded in 1834. The parish was the birthplace of the Newton Heath Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Football Club which was established in 1878 and later became Manchester United. The team played on a pitch at North Road, and were initially outfitted in green and gold jerseys. By 1892, they had been admitted to the Football League.

The club remained in the area until 1893, when it moved to new premises at Bank Street in nearby Clayton. The name was changed to Manchester United Football Club in 1902.