This is the definitive history of Manchester United before Sir Matt Busby. It's filled with tales that will make you squirm, laugh and cry: tales of transfers for ice creams, disappearing full-backs, severed fingers and pelting stones, plus the story behind the club's name and colours, the building of Old Trafford and the creation of the Academy.

As Victorian Britain was gripped by 'the football craze', eight men laid the foundations at one of the world's greatest clubs. These pioneers ranged from miners to brewery owners, fitness fanatics to portly beer drinkers. From Stretford, Ancoats, Birmingham, Bolton, Darlington, Chirk and Crewe, some were rebels, others were leaders. All were grafters. The Men Who Made Manchester United brings you the definitive history of Manchester United before Sir Matt Busby's post-war halcyon days. Inside are tales that will make you squirm, laugh and cry: the transfer fee of two freezers of ice cream, the tragic death of a young footballer and his forgotten family, the fight for the right to unionise, Edwardian Cockney Reds, severed fingers and the pelting stones of the angry residents of Budapest. This is the story behind the club's name and colours, the building of Old Trafford, the founding of the PFA and the creation of the Academy. It's filled with tales that will fascinate and entertain.