Newton Heath LYR Football Club, the team that was soon to be come the world's largest football club. The team formed in 1978 when workers at the Newton Heath depot of the Lancashire railway line decided to form a football team. The club played at a stadium on North Road, Newton Heath, North - West Manchester.

Newton Heath LYR dominated the first competition they played in. The team was competing against other railway teams found around Lancashire. The team soon begun to look for a better standard of oppenents.

In 1885 Newton Heath LYR turned proffessiional and reached the Manchester cup final for the first time. They lost to Hurst but won the competition the following season.

In 1888 the Football league was founded, it consisted of 12 teams from the north and the midlands. Newton Heath LYR felt they were not good enought to enter the league and joined the Football alliance.

In 1890 the first change of name to Newton Heath LYR took place. The LRY was dropped and the club became known as Newton Heath.

The alliance was formed by 12 clubs who felt they were nearly ready for the Football league. In 1892 the Football league was expanded to 14 teams and the Football alliance was incorparated as the second division. It was in this first season of change when Newton Heath first entered the league.

Newton Heath's first match in the league was on 3rd September 1892. The oppenents were Blackburn Rovers, at this time Blackburn Rovers had already won the FA cup on 5 occasions. Newton Heath's first victory came on the 15th October 1892, against Woverhampton Wanderers 10-1. Although this was a great result, Newton Heath still finished bottom of the league. Newton Heath were not relagated because relagation and promotion was decided on head to head of the 2 teams. Newton Heath beat Small Heath 6-3 on aggregate.

After staying in the top flight the club found a new home. It was on Bank Street in the Clayton district of Manchester. The new ground was a little better than North Road.

The following season Newton Heath were again bottom of the league. Again Newton Heath had to play off. This time the oppenent was Liverpool, unfortunately Liverpool won by 2-0.

Newton Heath found themselves in the second division. The first game against Manchester City took place. Newton Heath won 5-2.