Author Archives: garyjamesfootballarchive

Bond’s First; Tueart Scores 4

New Manchester City manager John Bond’s first cup game was the fourth round tie against Second Division promotion hopefuls Notts County at Maine Road, played on 29 October in 1980  The game had the potential to end in defeat, especially as Bond would be unable to play any of his new signings (remember the struggles pre-Bond’s arrival earlier in the month and the impact he and his new arrivals Now, Hutchison and McDonald had?), nor would the expensive Steve Daley be able to play due to injury. 

The match actually ended 5-1 to the Blues with Dave Bennett opening the scoring after 16 minutes.  Dennis Tueart was in inspiring form that night scoring the other four City goals, but the result was prof that Bond’s whole approach had lifted the Club.  Basically, Bond had taken Allison’s team and given them belief and confidence.  Some of the younger players, like Bennett and Caton, may have been given their chance under Allison, but it was under Bond that they started to achieve their potential.

More on the 1980-81 season here:

The 1980s: 1980-1981 Gow, Hutchison & McDonald

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Peter Dobing

Last night I heard the news that the former Blackburn, Manchester City and Stoke player Peter Dobing had died. Here is a profile of him written by the late Manchester City historian John Maddocks and given to me by John around the year 2000. John was a real expert on City’s former players and had spent years researching their careers. I was fortunate to have John’s support during my early years of research and writing. Here’s his brief profile of Peter:

DOBING, Peter A.

Role: Midfield/Forward 1961-63

5’10”   11st.8lbs.

b. Manchester, 1st December 1938

CAREER: Blackburn Rovers Dec 1955/CITY 17 July 1961/Stoke City 15 Aug 1963.

Debut v Leicester City (h) 19.8.1961

An extremely skilful inside-forward with an eye for goals, Peter Dobing came to City along with Bobby Kennedy in the summer of 1961 bought with the money received for Denis Law from Torino. He had been an influential player with Blackburn Rovers, having opted for them in preference to Manchester United – who had shown great interest in him – because he felt he would have a chance of faster progress at Ewood Park. He won seven England Under-23 caps and played three times for the Football League. In his first season with the Blues Peter scored 22 goals in 41 outings with nine of those goals coming in three hat-tricks, West Ham suffering twice! His other was against Spurs who were League and cup double holders when City whipped them 6-2 at Maine Road. He was top scorer. The following season ended with a disillusioned Dobing asking for, and getting, a transfer, the thought of Second Division football just too much for him. He moved to Stoke City where he stayed for ten years after which he retired through injury. He became a pottery worker and still lives near Stoke.

Appearances:

FL:82 apps. 31 gls.

FAC:5 apps.

FLC:7 apps. 1 gl.

TOTAL:94 apps. 12 gls.

Other : 4 apps. 1 gl.

Female Footballers 70 Years Ago

I love this photo from the 1950s of two truly important Manchester Corinthians. It really captures the moment and professionalism of the club. I called to see Mary (taller player) the other week. She’s in her 90s but still talks with a passion about playing football back then. The kit they are wearing is actually a Benfica men’s team kit, loaned to the Corinthians during their tour of Portugal. Both Mary and Doris were proud to wear that kit. Some of the former players who were on the tour talk of the great Eusebio’s role in getting that kit for the team (one of the updated elements in the paperback due out shortly). Mary’s story is of course in the book as well.

The revised and updated edition of Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History will be published at the end of November 2026. There’s been a slight delay to the publication of the book which means we can take a couple more orders before the final pages go to press. If you’re interested in ordering before publication you will be able to have your name printed in a special roll of honour at the back of the book, as well as receiving the book before it appears in any shop. Please order before 1 November if you want to take up this offer.

As with the first edition this book will be non-profit. The book builds further on the original book, viewed as a landmark publication. Income from the book will continue to be used to promote these remarkable women; stage events for them and capture their stories for posterity. Over fifty Corinthians were interviewed for the first edition and others have been found and interviewed for this updated version. This includes additional Corinthians from the 1940s, adding to the three founding Corinthians interviewed for the first edition. Their voices are so important to the story of this remarkable club. 

I’m determined to ensure all Corinthians are remembered so please also get in touch if you’re a Corinthian who may have slipped through the net somehow.

Order before 10 October 2026 and you will get your name published within a special roll of honour within the book and it will be sent out to all subscribers on publication late in Novmeber 2026. This will be before it appears in any shop. Sadly, due to postage costs the book can only be posted to UK addresses. You do not need to have a PayPal account to order – use the ‘Pay with PayPal’ button below and it will give you the option to pay by credit/debit card without creating a PayPal account.

UK ONLY – one copy of Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History 2nd edition (paperback)

The story of a pioneering women’s club as told to Gary James by those who were there. This is for one paperback book at £19.95 ()incl UK postage and packaging). Outside UK contact for additional postage costs.

UK ONLY – one copy of Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History 2nd edition (paperback)

The story of a pioneering women’s club as told to Gary James by those who were there. This is for one paperback book at £19.95 ()incl UK postage and packaging). Outside UK contact for additional postage costs.

£19.95

Opportunities to buy multiple copies, sponsor the book or donate exist too. Please email Gary@GJFootballArchive.com for more information on those opportunities.

Note: the cover is currently being redesigned and is likely to be different to the ones shown here.

For more on the Corinthians see:

One Year On: The Manchester Corinthians Reunion

An Amazing Game: Newcastle 5 Manchester City 4

On this day (27 October) in 1894 Manchester City’s match away at Newcastle was outstanding for neutrals (and those supporting the winning team). It followed the pattern of one team scores, then the other equalises all the way through until the final goal. Here’s a brief contemporary report of it:

In official records one of the goals credited to Jim Sharples in this report is listed as being scored by Wally McReddie.

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Manchester Corinthians: Last Chance To Order

The revised and updated edition of Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History will be published at the end of November 2026. There’s been a slight delay to the publication of the book which means we can take a couple more orders before the final pages go to press. If you’re interested in ordering before publication you will be able to have your name printed in a special roll of honour at the back of the book, as well as receiving the book before it appears in any shop. Please order before 1 November if you want to take up this offer.

As with the first edition this book will be non-profit. The book builds further on the original book, viewed as a landmark publication. Income from the book will continue to be used to promote these remarkable women; stage events for them and capture their stories for posterity. Over fifty Corinthians were interviewed for the first edition and others have been found and interviewed for this updated version. This includes additional Corinthians from the 1940s, adding to the three founding Corinthians interviewed for the first edition. Their voices are so important to the story of this remarkable club. 

I’m determined to ensure all Corinthians are remembered so please also get in touch if you’re a Corinthian who may have slipped through the net somehow.

Order before 10 October 2026 and you will get your name published within a special roll of honour within the book and it will be sent out to all subscribers on publication late in Novmeber 2026. This will be before it appears in any shop. Sadly, due to postage costs the book can only be posted to UK addresses. You do not need to have a PayPal account to order – use the ‘Pay with PayPal’ button below and it will give you the option to pay by credit/debit card without creating a PayPal account.

UK ONLY – one copy of Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History 2nd edition (paperback)

The story of a pioneering women’s club as told to Gary James by those who were there. This is for one paperback book at £19.95 ()incl UK postage and packaging). Outside UK contact for additional postage costs.

UK ONLY – one copy of Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History 2nd edition (paperback)

The story of a pioneering women’s club as told to Gary James by those who were there. This is for one paperback book at £19.95 ()incl UK postage and packaging). Outside UK contact for additional postage costs.

£19.95

Opportunities to buy multiple copies, sponsor the book or donate exist too. Please email Gary@GJFootballArchive.com for more information on those opportunities.

Note: the cover is currently being redesigned and is likely to be different to the ones shown here.

For more on the Corinthians see:

One Year On: The Manchester Corinthians Reunion

This Is Our City

This doesn’t feel that long ago but it’s 21 years (the article below is from 26 October 2005) since the This Is Our City campaign was doing the rounds on Manchester billboards. Back then phrases like ‘Real Manchester’ formed part of a campaign by City to make the club’s presence felt across the city. Some of these (like the one mentioned in the image) were attacked by rival fans, but overwhelmingly City’s own support felt positively about the campaign.

A few years later this campaign was part of the inspiration behind the ‘Welcome To Manchester’ poster that welcomed Carlos Tevez to City.

You can find our more on the 2000s across this website with articles for everyone plus some articles for subscribers. Here’s a 3,100 word article on the 2005-06 season (below) for anyone subscribing.

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City Crisis!

On this day (25 October) in 1985 the Daily Mirror covered the staggering news that Manchester City’s financial crisis meant that they were paying £1,000 a day in bank loan interest alone. City had gone from a profitable, major trophy challenging club, prior to Swales’ time as chairman to a debt-ridden club that seemed to be downsizing at every opportunity. There were frequent managerial changes and the ground was lacking the kind of investment it needed and, in many ways, the similarities with modern day United are clear. CIty fans regularly demonstrated against Swales and his supporting directors.

The media rarely supported fans in their demonstrations, often criticising them. The contrast with 2026 is clear – now City have an owner and board who have invested BUT some in the media want them to demonstrate against their owner. Where was the support in the media when City fans needed them?

The 1980s was a truly important decade in the history of Manchester City Football Club and you can find out more on this season (and why the club was in debt) by reading the following 2,500 word feature on 1985-86 (available to subscribers). Enjoy!

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City v Oldham Reserves

90 years ago today (24 October) Manchester City reserves defeated Oldham Athletic reserves 3-0 at Maine Road. Here’s the cover and team sheet page of the programme for this game. Look at the adverts too – any one fancy going to see George Robey and Jimmy James after the match?

My series on Manchester City in the 1930s continues with a 2,500 word subscriber article on the 1936-37 season. If you subscribe (see below) I hope you enjoy it. If you don’t subscribe then why not try it for a month (£3 per month or sign up for a year at a discounted £20 per year)?

Here’s the article:

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The First Charity Shield Manchester Derby

Seventy years ago today (24 October 1956) the first Manchester Derby in the Charity Shield (now Community Shield) took place. Charity is much in evidence, as the Reds are allowed to replace ‘keeper Wood with their reserve David Gaskell when injury strikes. Attendance: 30,495; City 0 United 1.

The Champions beat the Cup holders under floodlights with a goal from local lad Dennis Violet.  United are the better side while City seem a little pedestrian.  

Name That Statue: The Answer

Yesterday I asked if anybody recognised this player, captured in a bronze statue I stumbled across the other week. The statue is at Vicenza and is, of course, the great Italian international Paolo Rossi.