Author Archives: garyjamesfootballarchive

Abandoned Match

Today (3 January) in 1994: After 39 minutes Manchester City’s game with Ipswich Town was abandoned with the Blues winning 2-0.  The scorers were Vonk and Ingebrigtsen – his only League goal for the Blues was expunged from the records as a result!

The referee David Elleray angered the City players, especially Tony Coton, by abandoning the tie due to a waterlogged pitch.  The pitch had been appalling at the kick-off and perhaps the game should not have commenced.  Naturally, it was a big disappointment at the time.

I was at this abandoned game in the ‘new’ Platt Lane Stand. Were you also at Maine Road that day? If so why not leave your memory as a comment or email it to me for possible future use on this website?

You can read more on the 1993-94 season here:

Manchester City Season – 1993-94

Glossop Beat City!

On this day (2 January) in 1899 there was a great deal of celebration in Glossop after they defeated their local rivals and fellow promotion challengers Manchester City 2-0 at Hyde Road with the Glossop Chronicle reporting:  ‘There was evidently a determination to give the Mancunians a great surprise.’

Here’s a contemporary report of the game from the perspective of a Manchester based newspaper:

Here’s another article discussing the game. Note the use of ‘Mancunians’ to describe City, particularly interesting as it comes in a piece discussing Newton Heath (who were usually nicknamed the Heathens).

Happy Anniversary!

Two years ago today this website was launched and so I wanted to talk a little bit about it; why I’ve done it; and what it offers. I’d firstly like to take this opportunity to thank everyone interested in my work. Next, I’d like to explain why I’m doing this; what the archive consists of and how often it is added to.

First – why? For several years people have been asking me when I’d be doing my own blog and over the years I’ve always been pleased with the responses to my guest appearances on podcasts, vlogs and blogs. The feedback has been excellent but I’ve always had so much more to say. I care passionately about ensuring football’s history is properly researched & recorded and feel there’s always a place for detailed, quality research.

The idea of creating this blog and archive came because I wanted to create new content, based on the research I’ve performed over the decades, while also setting up an archive of my past work. Much of my writing is now out of print and it matters enormously to me that books like my first one, From Maine Men to Banana Citizens, and my detailed Manchester A Football History should be available (annual subscribers can access both these out of print books). Other books will follow of course. In addition, exclusive audio interviews with John Bond, Malcolm Allison and others are also stored here for annual subscribers to listen to.

I am a self employed historian and spend all my working week writing, researching and publishing my work. I am not an employee of any organisation (I know some think I’m employed by a football club but I’m not an employee nor am I an official club historian of any club). I am independent of any organisation and care passionately about the quality and accuracy of my work. As so much of my writing is out of print I am keen to continue to develop this archive for my work and add to it as time goes by. I’ve been running it for two years now and 100s of articles have now been posted. In fact I’ve been posting at least 1 a day now for some time.

Next – So what is my football archive? It is a place where I write new stuff and post some of my earlier works. You can use the search and category functions to see what’s been posted over these last few years, but the site includes material, interviews, profiles, past articles, book sections, written and audio interviews and more. Some of this material was written some time ago or is based on interviews performed many years ago (including interviews with players who have since died). Most of the material posted so far is connected with Manchester City’s men’s team but there are articles of interest to Manchester United; followers of women’s football and other teams, including England. Further articles on all Manchester’s clubs will follow. 

Some articles are free to download but much material is available to subscribers only. As mentioned earlier, my research and writing is something I strive hard to ensure is of quality. No one employs me to research but my commitment to those who read my work is that I will always seek to maintain the highest standards. I am eternally grateful to those who purchase my books or subscribe to my work.

To see what articles have already been published go to the search page (using the links under the banner at the top of this page) and either search on a key word or have a look at the categories listed there.

Next – when? There are already about 800 posts/articles live and this will continue to increase. Over time I hope to have my biography of Joe Mercer and other books (as well as those already posted) available in this archive. I’m keen to hear from subscribers which books, articles, interviews they’d like access to here. I want this to develop into a community of readers whose views absolutely matter.

A limited amount of content will always be free for anyone to read but those subscribing will have access to everything on this site for as long as they subscribe. For subscribers I will post a minimum of 4 new articles alongside adding material from my archives each month (it’s often more in practice). To subscribe costs £3 a month or £20 a year (the 2010 edition of Manchester A Football History which is posted for subscribers as PDF chapters cost £24.95 when published and is now out of print, so £20 is value for money). Those subscribing at £3 per month get access to everything posted since 1 October 2022 and can cancel anytime (so why not give it a trial?). Thos subscribing at £20 per year get access to everything posted since December 2020 when I was setting it all up.

Whichever subscription you get access to the everything to be posted during your subscription as well as the stuff already posted. You can subscribe below.

Subscribe to get access – Monthly

£3 per month (access everything since 1 October 2022)

Subscribe

Subscribe to get access – Annual

£20 per year (access everything since December 2020)

Subscribe

If you’re uncertain whether to subscribe or not then why not subscribe for a month at £3 and see if you’re getting value for money. The £20 annual subscription works out about £1.67 a month for a guaranteed 4 new articles per month and access to everything else posted in the archive.

Thanks for reading this. If you’d like to subscribe then please do so below. I really appreciate the support and I promise I’ll continue to add content that informs, entertains and has been researched to the highest standards.

If you’re not bothered about the material but fancy supporting my writing then subscribe anyway – I promise it is appreciated.

Happy new year!

Best wishes, Gary

Fagan’s First

Happy New Year! On this day (1 January) in 1947 future Liverpool manager Joe Fagan made his debut as a Manchester City player in the 4-0 victory over Fulham, watched by 49,449.

The goalscorers were Andy Black (2) and Alec Herd (2)

The 4-0 victory sent City to the top of the Second Division (2nd tier) table in style.  The Blues were playing as champions and, more importantly, looked like a typical First Division club.  Here’s a contemporary report of the game:

The only problem was the weather.  Postponements dragged the season through to mid-June, by which time City started to drop a few points but it hardly mattered.  The Blues won the title with 62 points – four more than second placed Burnley. 

You can read more on the 1946-47 season here:

https://gjfootballarchive.com/category/manchester-city/seasons/1946-47/

Rosler Double

On this day (31 December) in 1994 Uwe Rosler netted twice to help Manchester City to a 2-2 draw at Maine Road. However, the Blues had been 2-0 up at one stage and the general feeling around Maine Road was that this was a couple of points lost, rather than a point gained. Here’s a couple of contemporary reports of the game:

You can read more on the 1994-95 season here:

Manchester City Season – 1994-95

Sorry About This On This Day

On this day (30 December) in 1996 Frank Clark became the Manchester City manager. I don’t really want to say anything else about that! There’s more on Frank Clark elsewhere on the site, such as:

Manchester City Season – 1996-97

Capacity Crowd Watch City And Burnley

On this day (29 December) in 2001 a Paulo Wanchope hat trick helped Manchester City to a 5-1 victory over Burnley.  The game, watched by a capacity crowd of 34,350 (this included lots of temporary seating to increase the capacity of Maine Road during its final seasons), came during the Division One Championship winning season. The Blues were of course managed by Kevin Keegan. Here’s a contemporary report of the game:

2-2 v LFC

Today (28 December) in 2003 47,201 witnessed Robbie Fowler’s 90th minute equaliser as Kevin Keegan’s Manchester City drew 2-2 with Liverpool at their present day stadium. Nicolas Anelka had scored the first for City that day. This was the first season at the new stadium for the Blues. Here’s a contemporary feature written by Sam Wallace on Robbie Fowler. Written following the Liverpool draw:

You can read other features on the 2003-04 season here:

https://gjfootballarchive.com/category/manchester-city/seasons/2003-04/

City 14 Tranmere 5

On this day (27 December) in 1938 Manchester City defeated Tranmere 5-2 before 43,894 in Division Two.  The previous day City had annihilated the same side 9-3 at Prenton Park. Back then clubs often played each other in successive fixtures over the Christmas (and Easter) holidays.

Corrigan Bottled as Liverpool Lose 3-1 to MCFC

On this day (26 December) in 1981 Manchester City defeated Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield but it was a day marred when City keeper Joe Corrigan was felled by a bottle thrown at him. Here’s highlights of the game plus a brief audio clip of John Bond talking about the LFC reaction that day.

In 1995 I interviewed former City boss John Bond at his home. The interview lasted about two hours and here’s a brief snippet from that interview where he talks about that win over Liverpool on Boxing Day 1981.

The Blues won 3-1 (Bond, Hartford & Reeves) then two days later (Bond says it’s the next day in this clip but it was 28th December) City defeated Wolves 2-1 at Maine Rd. John discusses a brilliant goal from Trevor Francis. City went top of the League after the Wolves victory.

Stick with the clip because it ends with Bond’s views on how Liverpool used to react to wins and defeats. I’d best not comment – have a listen:

Here are a couple of cuttings from the day.