Tag Archives: Central League

A Rearranged Reserve Game

Fifty years ago today (23 February 1976) Manchester City manager Tony Book had hoped to give Colin Bell a run out in a rearranged Reserve game but sadly Book’s hopes were dashed when the player pulled up in a training session. The City boss commented: ‘He is still feeling the effects of a calf strain and there was no point in gambling him for this afternoon’s match.’

The news was released several hours before the Central League meeting with Sheffield United when a bumper afternoon crowd was expected to see their hero. In the end his absence kept the attendance down to 2,017 – not bad for a Monday afternoon – for this 2-2 draw but it was still more than double the previous reserve game.

Once the reserve game was out of the way, City focused on Wembley. Colin Bell did travel as part of a 17-man squad to a health farm as part of the League Cup final preparations, but it was clear he was unlikely to play. Book told the Manchester Evening News: ‘We will take the situation from day to day, but frankly I can’t see him making it by Saturday. I am disappointed not only for myself and the team, but for Colin himself.’

Despite the news about Bell, City’s second League Cup final in three seasons was eagerly anticipated. The opponents would be Newcastle on 28 February.

While you’re here why not subscribe and read a 5,320 word article on the entire 1975-76 season – a season which saw Tony Book guide the club to major success. You can read this below.

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Colin Bell

To mark the anniversary of Colin Bell’s birth (26 February 1946) it’s well worth reminding ourselves of something he viewed as one of his greatest successes. It may surprise some fans… When I interviewed Colin quite a few years ago we talked about his many successes and triumphs as a player. He was as humble as ever. Then he told me something which surprised me a little and that was about Manchester City’s 1977-78 Central League title.

City’s reserve team played in the Central League back then and, due to his devastating injury, Colin played reserve games throughout that season as he pushed for full fitness. He started 22 of these games and scored five goals.

When I interviewed Colin he told me he was as pleased with this Central League success as he was with all his other medals. To him that season saw a return to competitive football and it was irrelevant whether it was a reserve league or the Football League. It mattered enormously.

Most posts on Colin won’t talk about the 1977-78 Central League title but, as he was so keen to ensure he mentioned it to me all those years ago, I feel it’s appropriate to give it a little focus.

His first Central League appearance of the 1977-78 season attracted almost 5,000 as many of us were determined to be there when he returned to action. For the record that game was v Huddersfield on 17th September 1977, attendance 4,921.

Colin was a wonderful player and man. Those of us who saw him play know what a great player he was; those of us who were privileged to meet him met a truly humble & wonderful human being. He was the King of our Kippax but was truly a legend of football at Bury, City and England. His name will always be remembered.

This image of my ledger for 1977-78 shows Colin in City’s Central League match records.

More on that season here of course:

The 1970s: 1977-1978 Bell’s Return

MCFC Reserves 1958-59 and 1959-60

I’ve recently been asked about two players who were on Manchester City’s books, so thought I’d post a few details about them here, along with the Reserve line-ups for both 1958-59 and 1959-60. These make interesting reading, especially when attendances are checked.

I don’t have much on them but the players were Sand Wann and George Greenall. Wann joined City on 25/6/58 from Luncarty Juniors (Dave Ewing’s old team too!) and left City on 9/5/1960, joining St Mirren. George Greenall left City on 4/4/1960. My notes are not clear but George either went to Oldham or Southampton.

These images show the starting 11 for every MCFC Central League game in 1958-59 and 1959-60:

1958-59 Manchester City Reserves, Central League Starting 11
1959-60 Manchester City Reserves, Central League Starting 11

In 1959-60 George made 5 Central League appearances and Wann made 8. In 1958-59 Greenall played 2 and Wann 4.

Wann’s Central League games over both seasons were:

21/3/59 v Blackpool

11/4/59 v Barnsley

18/4/59 v Huddersfield

25/4/59 v Wolves

22/8/59 v Wolves

29/8/59 v Sheff Wed

31/8/59 v Chesterfield

5/8/59 v Aston Villa

19/3/60 v WBA

6/4/60 v Blackburn

15/4/60 v Bolton

23/4/60 v PNE

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