Sarah Mitchell
Manchester City F.C. has often been regarded as a Protestant club, especially in comparison to its rival, Manchester United, which has historically been viewed as the Catholic club. This perception stems from the influence of prominent figures in United's history, such as manager Sir Matt Busby, a devout Catholic, and the club's Catholic chairman. United's Catholic ties attracted Manchester's large Irish-descended population, many of whom settled in the city after World War II. As a result, Manchester City became associated with Protestantism by default.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Manchester City's fan base | Traditionally Protestant |
| Manchester United's fan base | Traditionally Catholic |
| Cause of Manchester United's Catholic association | Manager Sir Matt Busby was Catholic; United recruited youth players with Catholic ties |
| Cause of Manchester City's Protestant association | Rangers fans began identifying with City in the 1980s |
| Manchester City's origins | St. Mark's Anglican Church in West Gorton set up a football team which later became Manchester City F.C. |
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What You'll Learn
Manchester United, the Catholic club
Manchester United has long been considered the more Catholic of the two Manchester clubs. This perception likely stems from the influence of Sir Matt Busby, a devout Catholic who managed the club for over two decades. Busby's vision for the club centred around the idea of family, which attracted young, hungry players from Irish Catholic backgrounds. These players, including Liam Whelan and Shay Brennan, were scouted by Catholic priests and nurtured by Busby's right-hand man, Welshman Jimmy Murphy, who was also Catholic.
Busby's successor, Alex Ferguson, continued this Catholic influence. He rebuilt the club with great respect for Busby's vision, focusing on youth and loyalty, and even referred to his philosophy as 'the United Way', essentially 'the Busby Way'. The success of Ferguson's trophy-laden tenure further solidified United's association with Catholicism.
Additionally, Manchester United's large following among the city's significant Irish-descended population, many of whom are Catholic, contributed to the perception of the club as Catholic. This was further emphasised by the rivalry with Manchester City, who were seen as the Protestant club by default.
However, it is worth noting that Manchester United has had players and managers from both Catholic and Protestant backgrounds, and religious affiliations were generally left aside by fans attending games. The club's success and influence cannot be attributed solely to one religious group, and the notion of a Catholic-Protestant rivalry in Manchester football is not universally accepted.
In summary, while Manchester United has historically been viewed as the Catholic club in the city, this perception is influenced by a combination of factors, including the religious background of key figures, the demographics of the fan base, and the rivalry with Manchester City.
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Manchester City's origins
Manchester City Football Club was established in 1880 as St. Mark's (West Gorton), by Anna Connell and members of St. Mark's Church in Gorton, making it one of the oldest football clubs in England with a rich and fascinating history. The club's origins are often traced back to this church, which was located in the heart of the city and served the local community.
The club's early history is closely tied to the religious and social activities of the church, which provided a focal point for the local community, offering not just spiritual guidance but also social events and sporting activities, including football. The club's original name, St. Mark's (West Gorton), reflects this strong connection to the church.
In its early days, the football club was closely associated with the Catholic community in Manchester, and this religious affiliation influenced the club's identity and culture during its formative years. However, it is important to note that the club has always welcomed players and supporters from all religious backgrounds and has never been exclusively Catholic in its membership or support base.
As the club grew and evolved, it became increasingly professional and ambitious, and in 1887, the name was changed to Ardwick Association Football Club, and then again in 1894 to Manchester City Football Club, reflecting the desire to represent the entire city of Manchester, regardless of religious affiliation.
Over time, the club developed a strong following across the city, with supporters from a range of religious and cultural backgrounds, reflecting the diverse nature of Manchester's population. Today, Manchester City is a global club with supporters from all corners of the world, and its origins as a community-focused, church-affiliated team are an important part of its heritage.
So, while the club's beginnings are rooted in the Catholic community of Manchester, it has long since become a diverse and inclusive organization, welcoming fans from all walks of life, and this is reflected in the club's modern identity and values.
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Sectarian rivalries
Manchester United and Manchester City have historically been seen as representatives of the Catholic and Protestant sections of the city, respectively. This rivalry is rooted in the history of Manchester and its religious demographics. Manchester has a large Catholic population due to Irish immigration, and this group largely supported Manchester United. The club's association with Catholicism was strengthened by the presence of prominent Catholic figures such as Sir Matt Busby, a devout Catholic with roots at the club stretching over four decades, and Johnny Carey, an Irish Catholic captain.
In contrast, Manchester City was seen as the Protestant club by default. This perception was further reinforced by the club's origins, as it was founded by St. Mark's Anglican Church in West Gorton, inspired by the \"Muscular Christianity\" movement to win young men back to the church. The club also had ties to the Manchester Orange Order, a Protestant fraternal organisation.
The sectarian rivalry between the clubs mirrored that of Glasgow, where Rangers F.C. became associated with the Protestant section of the city, and Celtic F.C. was founded as a Catholic club. This rivalry has resulted in several sectarian incidents between Scotland's Protestants and Catholics. Similarly, in Northern Ireland, football is strongly influenced by Christianity, and playing football on Sundays was banned until 2008 due to the Protestant majority's Sabbatarian beliefs.
While the religious aspect of the rivalry between Manchester United and Manchester City may have diminished over time, it is undeniable that religion played a significant role in shaping the identities and supporter bases of the clubs in their early years.
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Religious influence on football clubs
Religion has had a significant influence on football clubs and their supporters. In Manchester, for example, United were commonly viewed as the "Catholic club" in the 1960s due to their Catholic manager, Sir Matt Busby, and chairman. United leveraged Busby's ties with the Catholic Church to recruit youth team players and attract Manchester's large Irish-descended population, who had settled in the city post-World War II. Consequently, Manchester City became associated with Protestantism by default.
Historically, Christianity has had a long and complex relationship with football. Puritan Christians in 16th-century England opposed football due to its violence and practice on Sundays, the Sabbath day of rest. However, from the 19th century onwards, the movement of "Muscular Christianity" encouraged the game for its physical and social benefits. Several English football clubs, including Everton, Manchester City, Southampton, and Celtic in Scotland, were founded by churches.
Christian hymns have also become part of club cultures, such as Southampton's adoption of "When the Saints Go Marching In" as their club anthem. Additionally, some clubs have incorporated religious restrictions into their practices, such as London-based Arsenal F.C., who agreed not to play on holy days or sell "intoxicating liquor" at their stadium as part of their stadium lease conditions with St John's College of Divinity.
Football clubs have also served as a means of forming virtue and encouraging discipleship within Christian ministries. Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are among the Premier League clubs that originated from Christian foundations. Tottenham Hotspur was founded by Bible teacher John Ripsher, who was also associated with the local Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA).
The religious affiliation of players and fans has also influenced football clubs. For example, some supporters of the Protestant-affiliated Rangers F.C. in Glasgow also claim to support Manchester City due to its perceived Protestant affiliation. Additionally, some players have made public displays of their faith, such as Brazilian winger Lucas Moura, who credited his faith in God for his winning performance in a UEFA Champions League semifinal match.
Football, like religion, can evoke strong emotions and influence behaviour, with fans sometimes engaging in violent behaviour or pilgrimages to support their favourite clubs. The choice of a favourite club can be influenced by geographical and cultural factors, similar to how an individual's religion is often influenced by their birthplace and the dominant religion in their region.
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Manchester's Catholic population
In 1848, Manchester's Catholic population of 300 was served by its first resident pastor, Rev. William McDonald, who established religious, charitable, and educational institutions. The Diocese of Manchester was established in 1884, and by the time of the first bishop's death in 1903, the Catholic population had grown to 104,000.
The football clubs Manchester United and Manchester City have historically been associated with the Catholic and Protestant faiths, respectively. In the 1960s, Manchester United was viewed as the "Catholic club" due to its Catholic manager, Sir Matt Busby, and chairman. United's association with Catholicism attracted Manchester's large Irish-descended population, many of whom had settled in the city after World War II. As a result, Manchester City became seen as the Protestant club by default.
While religious rivalries between the clubs may have diminished over time, the historical associations remain a part of the clubs' identities. Today, Manchester's Catholic population continues to be served by the Diocese of Manchester, which encompasses the entire state of New Hampshire. As of 2018, the diocese served a Catholic population of 322,258, representing 24.3% of the total population in the area.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Manchester City is historically a Protestant club.
In the 1960s, Manchester United was commonly viewed as the "Catholic club" because the manager, Sir Matt Busby, was a devout Catholic. Manchester City seemed to become the Protestant club by default.
The perception of Manchester United as a Catholic club likely stems from the fact that the manager, Sir Matt Busby, was a devout Catholic. Additionally, the club had a Catholic chairman, and they used Busby's ties with the Catholic Church to recruit youth team players.
Yes, the location and fan base of a football club can also influence its religious affiliation. For example, Liverpool is another city divided on sectarian lines, with historical Orange Parades and a significant Irish Catholic population.
Yes, Everton in Liverpool has been traditionally considered a Catholic club due to its proximity to a Catholic church and its historical links with Glasgow Rangers. However, there are conflicting views, as some consider Everton to be the Protestant club in the city.
