Author Archives: garyjamesfootballarchive

Happy 90th Birthday Tony Book

On this day (4 September) in 1934 Tony Book was born. Happy 90th birthday Tony! Tony was of course a major footballing star of the 60s and early 70s. It seems appropriate today to highlight some of his achievements with quotes here from interviews I’ve performed over the years. Enjoy!

Tony arrived at Maine Road in 1966 and captained Manchester City to phenomenal success.  When he arrived at City Book he was in his thirties:  “I hoped I’d get a couple of years and I would have been very happy with two years at City, of course.  Because of what happened and the way the success came in my second year, I felt I could go on again. Winning the League in 1968 was like a spark and I wanted to keep the flame going.”

Book lifted more trophies as captain than any other Blue, until the incredible success experienced during Vincent Kompany’s time. Back in 2015-16 as Kompany was nearing Book’s record, Book told me: “Next time he lifts a major trophy he’ll have matched my record as captain. I hope that success comes soon, and that he then goes on to pass my record this season.” 

His time as captain and player was incredible and this was a golden era for City. What is often overlooked though is Tony’s contribution as a manager. In 1973-74 he became manager of City for the final month of the season – a spell that was noteworthy for the infamous Manchester derby when Denis Law netted against United in the Reds’ relegation match.  In the years that followed, Book developed a squad of real talent, blending well-regarded internationals with enthusiastic youth to create a flamboyant and entertaining team.  

Book’s second full season saw his team of entertainers annihilate United 4-0 in the 4th round of the League Cup – on a night remembered more for the devastating injury to Colin Bell – and progress to the competition’s final where they defeated Newcastle 2-1.  The victory meant Book was the first man to win the trophy as a player and as a manager.  He said at the time:  “Two weeks ago I met Gordon Lee (Newcastle manager) and we agreed that whoever won, it was more important for us to provide a good final.  I think we have done that.  This was my greatest moment.  It was a tremendous final and Tueart’s goal was something special… quite out of this world.”

Looking back on 1976 Book believes the key to the success lay in City’s preparation: “We wanted everything to be low key and travelled down early in the week.  We did simple training and tried to build an environment around us that was positive.  It worked well and by the day of the final we were ready.”

City were missing Kenny Clements, and Colin Bell was still out of action, causing Book to bring youngster Ged Keegan in. There had been media talk that Keegan and another youngster, Peter Barnes, would feel the pressure but Book felt differently: “I had total faith in my lads. Barnes scored the first – in a move that we’d worked on in training – and Keegan more than justified his place.  I never had a doubt.”

Book managed City through one of the club’s most exciting periods: “As a manager I was proud that in five years we won the League Cup; finished runners up by a point to Liverpool; we were in Europe for three consecutive seasons; and we reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup. I had some good players that came in – Dave Watson, Brian Kidd, Joe Royle, Asa Hartford – and did an excellent job for me.”

City fans loved what he had brought the club and at the 1976 League Cup homecoming they chanted ‘Tony, Tony’ repeatedly for some time.  At various film shows over the last decade I’ve shown (together with Will McTaggart from the North West Film Archive) a rediscovered film of the homecoming parade which shows exactly what the success meant to the City boss: “I wanted to win the League Cup for them and I remember looking out over the crowd in Albert Square. They were celebrating and singing. Everything we did was for the fans.  These fans have been so loyal over the years and they had made me so welcome when I arrived in 1966.  Such a special club and wonderful fans. They deserved that success – and so many more for the way they stood by this club during the painful years that came later.”

Almost sixty years after he first arrived at City, Tony Book is still a regular and popular presence around the club:  “I love this club and am grateful to all those who brought me here and involved me for so long.  Whenever I’ve been given a job to do I’ve always tried to give my best.” 

Book certainly represents all that is good about football and he is a powerful reminder of the successes Manchester City achieved during his captaincy and as manager.

While you’re here why not read other content. There are plenty of free articles here but also there are many, many more only available to subscribers. Subscribers have access to everything. You could even subscribe for a month and see what you think. The following 1,700 word article is on the 1973-74 season and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!

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Manchester City 2 Charlton 1

Goals from Gerry Creaney and Uwe Rosler gave City a 2-1 victory over Charlton Athletic on this day (3 September) in 1996. Subscribers can read an indepth article on the 1996-97 season below. If you don’t know what happened then brace yourself! The article is almost 4,900 words long.


Why not subscribe and relive this season (it’s okay, we’ve had success since then)? As with all my 1990s subscriber features it contains material from interviews I’ve performed with key figures from that time, including Phil Neal who talks about Steve Coppell’s shock resignation.

Here’s the 4900 word article on that season:

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Blue Moon on Colin Murray Show

On Sunday 1 September 2024 I was on Colin Murray’s show (BBC Radio 5 Live) discussing the origins of Blue Moon with Colin and Pat Nevin. There was a great introduction at the start of the show (thanks Colin. Appreciated) and the main feature was on after about 33 minutes. There’s a powerful rendition played from the last day at Maine Road.

You can listen to the entire show here (or skip to 33 minutes if you only want the Blue Moon feature):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0022jmv

Both Colin and Pat are good guys who know their stuff. They talked positively of Manchester City’s anthem and I was delighted with the way it all went. Have a listen if you can.

Also, if you want to know about MCFC chants why not watch this talk I did a few years back on crowds and chanting:

If you enjoy all the free material on my website and would like to support my research and keep this website going (but don’t want to subscribe) then why not make a one-time donation (or buy me a coffee). All support for my research is valued and welcome. It allows me to keep some free material available for all. Thanks.

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United’s European Cup Ban

On this day (1 September) in 1958 it was revealed that Manchester United were to be prevented from taking a special place that had been awarded to them in the European Cup. UEFA had offered United the place as a mark of sympathy following the Munich Air Crash and the FA had approved the move but then discussions within the League proved problematic, leading to the Football League banning the move.

This cutting even quotes an unnamed official who basically said the European Cup is for champions and United ‘are not the English champions.’ It was all a mess and distasteful.

To understand the full story/impact of the Munich Air Disaster and how it affected all of Manchester then have a read of this:

The Munich Air Disaster: A Long Read

Rare Heath Goal!

On this day (1 September) in 1990 a rare thing happened. Adrian Heath scored for Manchester City. Not only that but it was against his former team Everton and City won 1-0! There’s even film of it:

While you’re here why not find out more about the 1990-91 season when a shock managerial departure could have disrupted the club but ultimately they finished 5th, 3 points ahead of Manchester United. Here’s a 2,700 word article on that season:

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This series of articles and features will run throughout March with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others. There will be flashbacks to great games, players and more. Every day in March will offer something to enjoy.

Subscribers will get access to everything, while some on this day material will be free for all to view.

If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? If you’d like to know more about subscribing then see:

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Blue Moon on Radio 5Live

If all goes to plan I’ll be on Colin Murray’s show on BBC Radio 5 Live today (between 10.00 and 12.00 UK time). I’ll be discussing the origins of Blue Moon with Colin and Pat Nevin – both of whom know their stuff and talk positively of Manchester City’s anthem. Have a listen if you can. In the meantime if you want to know about MCFC chants why not watch this talk I did a few years back on crowds and chanting:

You’ll Be Back: MCFC and WHU 1987

As Manchester City visit West Ham today (31st August 2024) in the Premier League I thought I’d post a small feature remembering a relegation game in 1987 that entered folklore as the You’ll Be Back game. What was it all about? Here goes…

City and West Ham fans have developed a special relationship over the years. There has been a mutual recognition of the journey our clubs have been on.

The biggest demonstration of the special relationship between the fans of the two clubs came in May 1987. City were relegated after a 2-0 defeat at West Ham.  At the end of the game City supporters and West Ham fans climbed over the fences and onto the pitch. Some thought that the two sets of supporters were about to confront each other, but the fans knew differently. The Hammers began chanting “You’ll be back” and both groups swapped scarves and souvenirs on the pitch. It was the kind of moment that should have been widely reported in the media but at the time focus tended to be on hooliganism and confrontation rather than the positives of football support. City had been relegated, but their supporters did not seek revenge.  The West Ham fans could have ridiculed, but they didn’t.  If only those condemning football fans at the time could have seen the two sets of loyal supporters genuinely appreciating and understanding each other.

The relationship between the fans of the two clubs is not something that is widely discussed or promoted but it is something that has endured. City fans have never forgotten the ‘You’ll be back’ game and in recent years, as others have unfairly mocked both sets of fans, the supporters of both the Blues and the Hammers seem to understand and respect each other. Inevitably, there will always be banter during a game but outside of the match the mutual recognition and respect always seems to win through.

To many West Ham are the City of the South – a proud football club with a great history and heritage, combined with a loyal and passionate fanbase.

I reckon that City and West Ham fans have a shared understanding of football history, status and achievements with supporters aware of their club’s traditions, rivalries and shared history. The two clubs’ roots are very much based around hardworking working class areas of their cities with the supporters of both the Hammers and the Blues coming traditionally from the working classes. In recent years an analysis of the original shareholders at the majority of Football League clubs identified that by 1900 City’s shareholders came mostly from the working class – a larger percentage than at any club other than West Ham who had a slightly higher percentage. This demonstrates that those who owned both City and West Ham were representative of the fans on the terraces and that these clubs were similarly organised and run. As a result of this both clubs were representative of their communities in ways in which their nearest local rivals were not at the time.

Both clubs have enjoyed stylish, attractive football over the years with a belief that the game should be an entertainment. The roots of this go back decades at both clubs with West Ham’s Ted Fenton and Ron Greenwood influencing men such as Malcolm Allison and John Bond who managed the Blues. 

Recently, City fans were delighted to see Manuel Pellegrini and Pablo Zabaleta become Hammers following a line that includes other popular Blues such as Ian Bishop and Trevor Morley.

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While you’re here why not check out the frank audio interview with former WHU player and MCFC boss John Bond? Taster clip here:

Liverpool 1 MCFC 3 – John Bond’s Views on Liverpool’s Reaction

TALKING CITY: Sven-Göran Eriksson

It has taken a few days to find but back in October 2011 I interviewed Sven-Göran Eriksson for a feature I did back then called ‘Talking City with Gary James’ – it was a feature I did for the Manchester City match programme. To mark Sven’s passing here are the words from the full piece as originally published. I always feel it’s best, where possible, to highlight an individual’s views on their career when they die rather than something less personal.

Here goes:

Earlier this season (2011-12) Gary caught up with former City manager Sven-Göran Eriksson as he prepared for a Championship game with his present side Leicester City.  Sven moved into coaching in 1975 after a knee injury had brought a premature end to his playing career.  By the time he was 40 he had found UEFA Cup success and won domestic honours in Sweden, Italy & Portugal.  In 1999 he guided Lazio to ECWC success (with Roberto Mancini in his side) and later managed England to the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals.

A year after guiding England to the World Cup quarter-finals you decided to return to club management.  Your record suggests you could have gone anywhere and there were certainly various other clubs rumoured to be interested, but you chose City.  What were the specific reasons for joining the Blues?

It is a huge job and a huge club.  With new owners in place and the club in the Premier League, I felt that they were prepared to match my ambition and invest in new players.  I never for one moment regretted taking on the role.

Was the Club what you expected when you arrived?

Yes, definitely. It was and still is a good club, with great people.

Many fans felt the Club had stagnated for a while, so when you came it lifted spirits enormously.  Supporters loved your time at the Club and your presence boosted everything from atmosphere around the place to fans’ self esteem.  That was very important.  Could you feel that at the time?

Of course, Gary.  I felt it, yes.  We hit the ground running with some excellent football, entertaining the supporters and winning games.  I had a very good feeling around that time, and I sensed that the fans shared that feeling.

They did absolutely.  How did the fans treat you when you arrived?

They were first-class as they always are.  Recently, when I came back to the stadium with Leicester City for the FA Cup 3rd round replay (2010-11), they were great to me then and they will always mean a lot to me.

Your arrival brought immediate results.  You started the League season (2007-08) with three straight victories (West Ham 2-0, Derby County 1-0 & Manchester United 1-0) and topped the table.  What are your memories of these games?

We had six or seven players who had just signed for us and started very well, playing good, entertaining and attacking football.  I remember the Manchester United home game, when Geovanni scored.  We may have been a little fortunate, but it was a great result.

You made some excellent signings during your time at City, which player impressed you most and why?

There were many players we brought in who I thought had a great impact on the team, but I would have to say Elano and Martin Petrov – they were first-class.

I think their immediate impact was the most impressive part.  It all seemed to fit together nicely at that time, and the fans certainly appreciated the immediate transformation.  There were also several quality players already at City when you arrived.  Which of these impressed you the most?

A collection of players did very well and impressed me.  I would probably pick out Michael Johnson, who was a great talent and I am very pleased to have him on loan at Leicester, Micah Richards, Nedum Onuoha, Richard Dunne and Joe Hart.  I also felt that Stephen Ireland was incredible in training, he had such ability.

You mentioned earlier that City had new owners.  This was, of course, the early days following the takeover of Thaksin Shinawatra.  What did you make of him?

At the time he was very good for the club, no doubt about that.  The previous season they were struggling and then he could be seen, perhaps, as the transition between that period and what is going on at the club now (following the takeover by Sheikh Mansour).  

Is there anything you would like to ask Thaksin if you met him now?

I hope that one day he may actually explain to me why I was sacked, as he never did at the time.

City had some great results, including the Old Trafford victory over United to complete a double, what did you feel was the best game during your time and why?

Yes, that (United match) was definitely the game for me.  It was a very memorable match.  The club were a little concerned about the fact that it was on the anniversary of the Munich Disaster, but no one needed to worry as the City fans observed the silence perfectly.  It was such a silence I seem to remember that I actually felt it, if you know what I mean?

Yes, I do.  I was in the away section and had been a little annoyed that in the build-up to the match people had assumed City fans would disrupt the silence, but most genuine fans knew the truth.  I wrote several articles in the build-up to the anniversary explaining what it really meant to fans.  Post match City’s support were rightly acclaimed for their impeccable behaviour.  Thinking about the end of the season, can you explain why the final match at Middlesbrough ended in a 8-1 defeat?

Mentally we were not right at all that afternoon and obviously the scoreline reflected that.  It was a bad day, one that everyone wanted to forget and no one wanted to be a part of.

After the season ended you went on the Club’s tour to Thailand, was that a surreal experience and how did it feel knowing how the future was likely to go for you?

It was very strange I have to say.  A lot of people didn’t really want to go, but I urged people to go as we needed to show our professionalism.  In the end, I think the staff enjoyed the trip and the time out there was probably welcome given how things had gone at the end of the season.

How did your dismissal come about?  There were lots of rumours of you being dismissed before the Middlesbrough match.  Would you have stayed if asked?

I was told in Thailand, definitively that my time at the club was over.  Given the choice, of course I would have wanted to stay.  We were keen to build on what we had done in the first season and improve in the second season.  I had another year on my contract, so for me it was very disappointing the way it all ended.

Now that your former player Roberto Mancini is at City and found success, how do you feel the Club will develop?

I am certain that City will be one of the most important clubs in world football, I have no hesitation in saying that.  They have invested in quality players and also in improvements off the field.  They will be in the elite group of teams with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

That’s nice to hear and I hope it’s true.  Remembering your time in Manchester, what was the highlight and why?

I liked the job, the place and I loved the people too, but the weather I could do without.  It was too short a time to be there, but a time I look back fondly upon.

I think most fans share those views, although we have got used to the weather a little.  Apart from Manchester’s rain, what was the biggest disappointment and why?

The sacking of course, nothing else comes close.

Any final thoughts you’d like to share with fans?

Yes, Gary.  I want to wish Roberto, the club and the supporters all the best of luck.  Manchester City is a great club, one of the best and I hope that next season we will be able to join you in the Premier League.

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The Champions League Draw

Well, the draw has been made for the newly enlarged Champions League. The dates of fixtures will be confirmed once the Europa League draw has been made but here are the fixtures for Manchester City:

  • Inter Milan (H)
  • Paris St-Germain (A)
  • Club Brugge (H)
  • Juventus (A)
  • Feyenoord (H)
  • Sporting Lisbon (A)
  • Sparta Prague (H)
  • Slovan Bratislava (A)

The Inter Milan fixture will be a nice reminder of the 2023 Champions League final. You can read about that here:

2023 Champions League Final

If you enjoy all the free material on my website and would like to support my research and keep this website going (but don’t want to subscribe) then why not make a one-time donation (or buy me a coffee). All support for my research is valued and welcome. It allows me to keep some free material available for all. Thanks.

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The First Three Point Game

The first time Manchester City earned three points for a win came on this day (29 August) in 1981 when City defeated West Brom 2-1. The new points system had been introduced for that season (it’s not that City had gone a decade without a win or anything!). The idea was that 3 points would encourage teams (especially away teams) to play for a win instead of a draw. The old system gave two points for a win and some teams, including several 1970s title winners, went out looking for draws away from home it was felt.