On this day (November 25) in 1989 Brian Gayle played his last League match for City. The game ended in a 1-1 draw (Clive Allen scored) and Chairman Peter Swales decided the time was right to dismiss manager Mel Machin. Machin, who had guided the side to promotion the previous May, was dismissed that weekend and not replaced until 8th December.
You can read more about this era of Manchester City’s history here:
Gary James' Football Archive 