This month not only do Everton play Manchester United at Goodison, but the world's oldest known Manchester United programme from The Everton Collection will go on display in the Manchester United Museum at Old Trafford. This match programme is September's object of the month.
Manchester United were originally called Newton Heath. Founded in 1878, Newton Heath (Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway) Cricket and Football Club soon established themselves as one of the top Manchester clubs, winning the Manchester Senior Cup in 1886. Unlike Everton, Newton Heath were not invited to join the Football League in 1888. An application to join the League in 1889 foundered after 'The Heathens' received only one vote, but an invitation eventually came in 1892.
In 1902 Newton Heath faced financial crisis but was saved by four local businessmen who invested £500 each in return for a direct interest in running the club. On 24th April 1902, the new owners changed the name of the club from Newton Heath to Manchester United.
See programme in more detail
September's object of the month is the programme for a match between Everton and Newton Heath at Anfield (Everton's home ground until 1892) on the 15th April 1889. Before joining the Football League, Newton Heath was a Football Combination club and this friendly match was played on a spare Monday evening. Everton won 3-1. Playing for Everton were George Dobson and George Farmer, the Club's first professional players. Just a few weeks before this match, Everton had finished 8th in their first season in the new Football League.
The programme will form part of a Newton Heath display at the Manchester United Museum later this month. For more details please click here.
Match programme - Everton v Newton Heath, 15 April 1889