The series of features covering the 1980s for Manchester City continues with a reminder of a day when City chairman Peter Swales made a huge mistake. This cutting is from this day (2 December) in 1989 and refers to the Blues’ attempts to appoint Joe Royle as manager. However, by the time this article was published Swales had already messed things up.
He’d appeared on Granada TV’s Kick Off programme on the Friday night saying how he wanted Oldham boss Royle to replace Mel Machin. Unfortunately, Oldham had a game that night and Swales’ comments on TV helped inspire a series of emotional pleas and chants for Joe Royle not to leave Boundary Park. Their game basically became a Joe Royle tribute night and the emption of that night meant City did not get their man. At the time City fans would call days like this ‘Typical City!’ as cock-ups by the chairman and his supporting directors dogged the club’s development.
Note the comment about Tony Book in the image. These were the days when he often was dragged into managing the team on a temporary basis.
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Today’s feature was the last on the 1980s. I hope you’ve enjoyed them. If you missed the earlier features then start here:
The 1980s: 1980-1981 Gow, Hutchison & McDonald
Gary James' Football Archive 