On Wednesday night May 10, 1950, the famous Manchester United club defeated the National Soccer League All-Stars 5-0. 12,500 soccer fans turned up to watch the match under lights at the Canadian Exhibition Park in Toronto. The gate receipts were said to be $13,720.
Manchester United had flown into Toronto on the previous day from Los Angeles. The club had finished the English League season in fourth place in the final First Division standings, three points behind champions Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Inside right Johnny Downie scored two goals in the first half, Stanley Pearson and Henry Cockburn scored one each. Both of Downie’s goals were scored on headers. Jack Rowley scored United’s fifth goal in the second half.
Line-ups:
NSL All-Stars: Dick Arends; Johnston, Graham; Johnny Syme, Phillips, Archie McDowell; Tommy Wallace, Hugh Suttie, Davidson, Kennedy, Campbell. Subs: Eddie Flynn, Jack Perrett, Davidson, Alex Ptolomey
Manchester United: Jack Crompton; John Ball, Jack Warner; Johnny Carey, Allenby Chilton, Jimmy Delaney; Charlie Mitten, Henry Cockburn, John Downie, Jack Rowley and Stan Pearson.