The first player to pass the twenty goals a season mark for the Heathens in the League, Scotsman Henry Boyd arrived at Bank Street in January 1897. Previously he had developed a decent reputation at West Bromwich Albion and Royal Arsenal.
He made his Newton Heath debut on 6th February 1897 against Loughborough Town a memorable one as he scored one of the Heathens goals in a 6-0 victory. He ended his first season with five goals from ten appearances but it was the following season when he really made his mark.
Boyd’s hat-tricks in the opening two games of the 1897-98 season set the standard, and he ended the campaign with 22 goals from 30 games (he was an ever-present) overshadowing hero Joe Cassidy who had netted 14.
Despite the positives behind the scenes there were a few issues with the Club’s new goalscoring star. He missed training at the start of 1898-99 and was suspended for a week as a result. The story goes that he was so appalled at the suspension that he went missing with the Club only learning of his whereabouts when he sent officials a telegram from Glasgow. Further suspensions followed and he was placed on the transfer list.
In August 1899 he became a Falkirk player. His last season at Bank Street had seen him make 12 appearances and score five goals. His last goal came in the 2-0 defeat of Small Heath on 25th February 1899.
Leading Newton Heath League Scorer in: 1897-1898 – 22 goals, 30 appearances
Gary James' Football Archive 