On this day (8 August) in 1998 Manchester City began their season at the lowest level (3rd tier) they had ever played in. If you fancy remembering those dark days here’s a clip of the opening League fixture V Blackpool. The Blues won the match 3-0 in front of a capacity crowd – we thought it would all be okay but the following months it all started to… well, you know the rest! Here’s the clip:
Author Archives: garyjamesfootballarchive
International Football History Conference 18-19 November 2022 (Manchester) Call For Papers
***CFP Deadline extended to Friday 9th September***
After a two year absence due to Covid, the 2022 annual International Football History Conference will take place at the City Football Academy, Manchester City Football Club, Manchester M11 3FF, England and will be held over two days (18 and 19 November 2022).
This is a call for papers to be presented at the conference. There will be an opportunity to present on any topic relating to the history of football of all codes.
- – Main conference proceedings will take place between 8.30am and 5pm on Friday and Saturday.
- – As with previous years the conference will be open to those presenting on football of any code.
- – Abstracts are welcomed on any football related topic (football of ALL codes)
- –Abstracts are welcomed from researchers from any discipline.
- –Presentations must not have appeared at another conference. As our conference does not have parallel sessions, we are insistent that presentations must not be a repeat of something presented elsewhere.
Abstracts for the following presentation styles are welcomed:
- – Short Form (7 minutes) – 20 slides (plus a title slide) with a maximum of 20 seconds per slide. Ideal for a summary of research; to present early findings; Image related research etc.
- – Twenty Minutes – Twenty minutes of slides but no audience questions.
- – Fifteen plus Five – Fifteen minutes of presentation slides plus five minutes of questions.
- – Panel – One hour twenty minutes: three presenters and a moderator on a related theme with specific time for individual presentations within the session agreed by the moderator including allowance for questions at the end to the group.
100 to 150 word proposals should be sent to footycon@outlook.com by 9th September 2022. Selection of presentations will take place by the committee by 15th September. As the timescales between announcement of the conference and the date of the conference we will ensure confirmation is as soon as possible.
***Please note: As the Rugby League World Cup Finals (women’s & men’s) will be staged at Old Trafford on Saturday 19th we will, for the first time, try to satisfy specific requests to present on a particular day. When submitting your abstract can you say whether you have a preference for Friday, Saturday or no preference please? Thanks.
COST OF ATTENDANCE
For full-time delegates: £119
For students/unwagedl/retired delegates: £99
Special Day Rate: £65 (employed) & £55 (unwaged)
Due to the current economic climate we have been keen to ensure the cost to delegates is kept at previous levels. We have managed to keep rates at the same level as in 2018 & 2019. Tickets will be on sale via Eventbrite soon.
Delegates will need to make their own arrangements regarding travel & accommodation for the conference. It is suggested delegates stay in city centre hotels, close to the tram network and travel to the venue each day via tram. If you would like some advice on where to stay please contact the organising committee via footycon@outlook.com
The First Championship
Although those who claim Manchester City have no history may not like reminding of this fact but it is now over 85 years ago since the Blues first won the League title. Here for subscribers is an overview of that 1936-37 title winning season.
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Sterling’s 100th
On this day (7 August) in 2020 Raheem Sterling scored his 100th goal for Manchester City. Not only that but this was City’s latest victory (2-1 v Real Madrid, Champions League) in a football season. The season had been halted and then restarted due to Covid. You can see highlights of the game here:
https://www.mancity.com/citytv/mens/city-real-madrid-champions-league-highlights-63732419
GOLDEN GOALS – 1996 Georgiou Kinkladze Goal V Southampton
One of the best goals of Maine Road’s final couple of decades saw the brilliant Georgiou Kinkladze at his best. Kinkladze was a major star – some would say Manchester City’s biggest during the mid 1990s – and livened up many dull days for City fans. This goal was obviously popular with Maine Road regulars but, thanks to television and the game’s appearance on Match of the Day, many neutrals recognised the quality of this Golden Goal.
The idea of this ‘GOLDEN GOALS’ feature is to remember a significant or spectacular Manchester City goal from yesteryear. My hope is that supporters who were not around back then will learn more about these goals while those who were here will hopefully be reminded of them. If you would like to nominate a goal for possible use in a future feature then please comment at the end of this piece or email me with details of game, goal scorer and date.
This article, covering Kinkladze’s goal is available for subscribers to the website below. It costs £20 a year (it works out £1.67 per month) and you get full access to all articles posted, including PDFs of the out of print Manchester A Football History and my first ever book about Manchester City. There are also audio interviews & more. Do a few searches on past content to see what’s available.
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Aguero’s 200th (& 201st)
Today (5 August) in 2018 Sergio Aguero scored his 200th and 201st goals for Manchester City as they defeated Chelsea 2-0 in the Community Shield. You can watch the goals here:
David James
On this day (1 August) in 1970 former Manchester City and England goalkeeper David James was born in Welwyn. Here for subscribers is a profile of James:
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Home in Barnsley
On this day (31 July) in 2008 Manchester City played a home game at Barnsley. This game made history as it was the first occasion the Blues had played a home European tie outside of Manchester. Previously City had played home European games at Maine Road and at the City Of Manchester Stadium, but work at Eastlands following a concert by Bon Jovi prevented the Club from staging the game at home. The decision was taken to stage the match at Barnsley. Subscribers can read about both legs of the European tie here:
GOLDEN GOALS – 1999 Kevin Horlock Goal V Gillingham
Paul Dickov’s goal in the 1999 Play Off final has often been described as the most important Manchester City goal of all time. That goal does deserve significant recognition, however it is also important to remember the other contributing factors on that day all those years ago, including the opening City goal scored by Kevin Horlock.
The late 1990s had been a very difficult period for City and Horlock’s goal came at a moment when all hope that the Club could resurrect itself seemed to have vanished. This goal was obviously important as it gave City hope and ultimately that transferred into achievement.
The idea of this ‘GOLDEN GOALS’ feature is to remember a significant or spectacular Manchester City goal from yesteryear. My hope is that supporters who were not around back then will learn more about these goals while those who were here will hopefully be reminded of them. If you would like to nominate a goal for possible use in a future feature then please comment at the end of this piece or email me with details of game, goal scorer and date.
This article, covering Horlock’s goal and the story of that day, is available for subscribers to the website. It costs £20 a year (it works out £1.67 per month) and you get full access to all articles posted, including PDFs of the out of print Manchester A Football History and my first ever book about Manchester City. There are also audio interviews & more. Do a few searches on past content to see what’s available.
Subscribe to get access
Read more of this content when you subscribe today.
The Great Billy Meredith
101 years ago today the great Billy Meredith returned to Manchester City from Manchester United. This was the third time the legendary Welsh player had joined the Blues – a club he continued to watch and support until his death in 1958. I discussed his life and career with his daughter Winifred (who was 98 at the time) and his grandson Ian Pringle many years ago and they both talked fondly and passionately about his Manchester City connections.
Here for subscribers is a detailed profile of Billy Meredith I wrote about 17 years ago. It appeared in my Hall Of Fame book. Enjoy….
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Gary James' Football Archive 