A little bit of football history you may not know!
Nonagegenarian Leo Rocca, a lifelong Manchester United fan and ex Ancoats lad, has more reason to feel proud than most when United are doing well. It was due to his father Louis Rocca that Matt Busby came to United from Manchester City in 1945. Louis had been involved with the club (Then called Newton Heath) since 1895, when he was 12 years old, starting off as tea boy and progressing to looking after the Team- Kit.

By the time they moved to Old Trafford in 1910 Louis was on the coaching and scouting staff and eventually set up one of the first country-wide scouting systems. After the team were relegated to Division Two Louis was asked to share the running of the team with the club secretary. “Dad knew more about how football should be played than the man in the office, so he was manager of the team in all but name. His eye for a good footballer brought some good players to the club.” Louis combined managing and scouting, before and during the war years, then in 1944 the chairman decided to recruit a new full time boss. At Louis’ suggestion Matt Busby who was playing inside forward for Manchester City was approached. “Matt wasn’t one of the great players but City still wanted £150 for him. United couldn’t afford it at the time, so Matt stayed with them for a while.” However in 1945 Matt came to the club and looking to Louis for guidance began the uphill climb that has led them where they are today. Leo says proudly “Many years and many trophies later Matt wrote in a magazine ‘Louis Rocca taught me the ropes of management.”

Even more years later when the United Museum at Old Trafford was opened Leo was most upset to find no mention of his dad’s part in the clubs history. “ I couldn’t believe it, my dad had been with the club 55yrs. How could all the work he had done there for all those years have been left out. The team which won the FA Cup in 1909 was known as the Rocca Brigade!” Leo Launched a campaign and eventually got recognition for his father.