A look at the Gibraltar Manchester United team
Currently participating in the Gibraltar Premier Division, Manchester 62 F.C. pay tribute to the Manchester United we know and love today. It was only Sir Matt Busby that granted the fans permission to use the name ‘Manchester United F.C’ in 1992 although they’ve recently rebranded as ‘Manchester 62 F.C.’ Lead by Matthew Reoch, the club can be found playing their league fixtures at Victoria Stadium. It’s somewhat downsized in comparison to Old Trafford but its 5,000 capacity does the job.
Competing in the top flight of Gibraltar’s tiers, the club finished the 2014/15 season in fifth place, compiling a total of 27 points. Like their English counterparts, they have had a significant slide in the league table as they sat high and mighty just as runners up to twentieth time title holders, Lincoln Red Imps, in the conclusion to the 2013/14 campaign. They were also safely and securely in third place in both the 2012/13 and 2011/13 terms, symbolising their stability in Gibraltar’s first flight.
But this isn’t the only trait of the Premier League’s Red Devils that they replicate for they too wear the red jersey with pride, and crisp white shorts to match. Hopefully Aaron Asquez’s side can replicate Manchester United’s bounce-back ability with a surge back to the top when they return to action for the 2015/16 fall.
Manchester 62 F.C. haven’t laid claim to the Division One title just once but on seven instances! They are yet to return to their former glory though as they last had the silverware in their trophy cabinets in 1999. However, the Gibraltar have done a double themselves, usurping the title the season subsequent to promotion from Division Two! That’s right, in 1974 the Gibraltar Premier Division outfit were promoted to the promise land and were topping the table come by 1975.
The Capital One cup of Gibraltar (also known as the Gibraltar Cup) has had Manchester United etched on it in 1977, 1980, and 2003. A tournament you most likely haven’t come across in your lifetime yet and the honours are ours!
Another thing you might not be aware of is that the two sides in question could actually find themselves facing one another with the Gibraltar Premier Division offering the possibility of participating in the Europa or Champions League via the first qualifying round. Although unlikely or to be any time soon, another new derby on the cards can only be an exciting prospect with plenty of depth in the 32-player squad to provide some competition!