THE WATNEY CUP-ROLL OUT THE RED BARREL.

The Watney Mann Invitation Cup was Britain's first Football competition to carry a sponsor's name. Running for four seasons in the early 1970s, it was a pre-season invitational tournament contested by the two TOP SCORING clubs in each of the Football League's four divisions, if they had not qualified for Europe competition or been promoted. Two teams from each division took part, making eight participants in total.

Manchester United was in a period of decline, from experiencing European football competition to relegation in 1974 from the English top flight. Just two seasons earlier, United had played and beaten Eusebio's Benfica in the final of the European Cup (now known as the Champions' League). 

In 1970 United was pitted against the mid-table Second Division side, Hull City, in a competition sponsored by the well known Watney Brewer. (Remember Red Barrel?). United had beaten Second Division Reading FC at Elm Park, from the Third Division on the first day of the tournament. United then travelled to Hull for the semi-final and after 11 minutes, they were 1-0 down when the Tigers all time leading goalscorer, Chris Chilton, finished off a flowing move. Hull then had a chance for a second when Butler hit the post with 12 minutes to go, but paid for that miss as Denis Law headed home an equaliser.

This match was decided by a historical penalty shoot out, known as the "Settling Rule" was applied in a match for the first time. It was the first such shoot out played in England. George Best took the first spot kick and scored; remember this was a new procedure, so nerves might have been jangling?? Not for George! But, Denis Law, of all people, had his penalty saved by Hull keeper, Ian McKechnie. However, United won 4-3 as Hull's keeper, blasted the ball over the bar. United had qualified for the Watney Mann Final against Brian Clough's Derby County, three days later. Derby won 4-1!

This tournament is much derided now but it did give small clubs their "day in the sun",for example, Colchester beat West Brom on pens in the Final after a 4-4 draw. The year after Bristol Rovers won over Sheffield United on pens after 0-0. Stoke City won the last staging of the cup in 1973, beating Hull 2-0. 

Following the dissolution of the competition in 1975, the trophy itself was put up for sale and purchased by Derby Museum, who presented it back to Derby County. It was put on display in the club trophy cabinet, where, in 2018, it was spotted by the chair person of Stoke City's fans' council, who helped arrange a share deal between Derby and Stoke City, who had been the last winners prior to the competition finishing.

1970 Derby County 4–1 v Manchester United @ The Baseball Ground

1971 Colchester United 4–4 (4–3 p.) v West Bromwich Albion @ The Hawthorns

1972 Bristol Rovers 0–0 (7–6 p.) v Sheffield United @ Eastville Stadium

1973 Stoke City 2–0 v Hull City @ The Victoria Ground

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NbYDNArvoI  a video!