A MEMORIAL is to be unveiled in Hale Barns on Monday to honour James W Gibson - who is known as the man who saved Manchester United.

The memorial compass will be revealed at 11.30am on Monday, September 5 in Halecroft Park - close to his family home.

The compass is dedicated to former United chairman James and his family, for their ongoing commitment to the community.

Carrying out the unveiling honours will be the Mayor of Trafford, Councillor Judith Lloyd, along with Salford's ceremonial Mayor, Councillor Karen Garrido.

Not only were the Gibsons instrumental in the local community, James was also a major figure in the history of Manchester United. His vision and financial input helped to make United one of the world's biggest football clubs .

When Manchester United were in financial difficulty James, who had a great love of sport, helped finance the club and to stave off the threat of bankruptcy.

In December 1931 the club was literally on the brink of extinction and was only saved days before Christmas when club secretary Walter Crickmer went to the Hale Barns house of successful businessman James to ask for help.

After little more than an hour, Crickmer left the house with £2,000 from James. This paid the backlog of players’ wages, kept the club’s debtors at bay over the festive period - and there was even enough left over to buy the players a turkey each for Christmas.

This was the beginning of James' involvement in Manchester United and his lifetime contribution was immense. Not only saving the club from extinction but going on to invest in the club, become chairman and play an instrumental role in the development of the innovative youth system and the Busby era.

He is credited with setting Manchester United on a course which created one of the greatest football club in the world.

James rebuilt the club twice, the second time after Old Trafford had been damaged during the Second World War. His appeals to the Government enabled not only United, but also nine other clubs who had war damage, to be given a licence and funds - nearly £17,500 to United - to rebuild.

James gave 20 years of his life to United until he died in 1951, aged 73. After his death James's wife, Lillian, and son, Alan, carried on the family legacy for many years.

James' great nephew, Alan Embling, told Messenger: "We are very honoured and proud that this memorial is being unveiled to commemorate my Great Uncle, James Gibson and his family. 

"The compass is a fitting tribute to a family who worked tirelessly for the local community and to a man who saved a dying club in 1931 and who was instrumental in creating the youth policy in 1937." 

A red plaque on the railway bridge on Sir Matt Busby Way outside Old Trafford was unveiled by Trafford Council in commemoration of James's commitment to the club, in 2000, and there is also a plaque in the players' tunnel at Old Trafford.