Author Archives: garyjamesfootballarchive

Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History Update

A few further details can now be released on the history of the Manchester Corinthians to be published this year. Please read on for details of price, availability and publication…

It’s taken longer than anticipated but we’re now reaching the final stages. The book has been written and is with the design team. Publication will be this year (December 2024) and the book will be similar in style to Manchester City Women: An Oral History, published five years ago. However, there is one major difference, this book will be hardback. For those subscribing already, this is a step up from what we anticipated at ordering.

The purchase price after Friday 15 November will be £25 so ordering before then not only guarantees that the book will be posted to you before it is sent to any retailer, it also means you will receive it at a discounted price (£19.95). Also, if ordering before our publication cut off – 15 November 2024 – you will be able to have your name included in a special subscriber list at the back of the book. All pre-publication orders will also be signed by author Gary James.

Those with a delivery address in the UK can order here (outside UK please contact for additional postage costs):

UK ONLY – Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History

The story of a pioneering women’s club as told to Gary James by those who were there. This is available pre-publication for £19.95 (RRP will be £25) and will be published in mid December 2024. This is a UK only price. Outside UK contact for additional postage costs.

£19.95

You can find out more on the book here:

Order: Manchester Corinthians Book

40 Years Ago Today: Jim Melrose

Jim Melrose signed for Manchester City on this day (7 November) in 1984. You can find several articles that mention Jim throughout this website. Start looking here:

https://gjfootballarchive.com/tag/jim-melrose/

The Kippax Today in 1982

Southampton were the visitors to Maine Road on this day (6 November) in 1982. The image heading this feature is of the Kippax Stand about an hour before kick-off that day. Back then fans would queue up outside the turnstiles waiting for them to open at 1pm for a 3pm kick off. Once allowed in Supporters would head for their usual space on the terracing and wait for kick off. 

Away fans would typically be positioned in the section to the right of this photo and, depending on the size of the travelling support, they would either have all that final section of the Kippax including the open corner next to it, or would be penned only into the back section of the stand. It may seem odd today but on days when the away fans would be positioned at the back, the front section and corner were usually opened up for home fans. As was the case for this game.

While the Kippax was one vast area of terracing, the more vocal fans would tend to gather close to the away section, above one of two large tunnels that cut through from the back of the stand to the terracing.

Notice the advertising and signage on the roof. As well as the Manchester City sign there are adverts for the Junior Blues and City Bingo, plus several familiar local businesses, including the popular Parkside Hotel, close to the ground.

City defeated Southampton 2-0 on the day this photo was taken with a tenth minute goal from Kevin Reeves – past England ‘keeper Peter Shilton – and a header from Bobby McDonald in the 66th minute. Shilton had saved a penalty in the 38th minute from Kevin Bond while City captain Paul Power was judged the man of the match in most newspapers. 

The victory put City second to Liverpool in the League and four days later City and Southampton met again at Maine Road. This time it was a League Cup tie which ended in a 1-1 draw, but the replay ended in a Southampton win.

You can read more on the 1982-83 season here:

The 1980s: 1982-1983 Selling Francis

As for the Kippax… The stand had once accommodated over 35,000 and its capacity when this photo was taken was about 26,500. At the time it was demolished in 1994 it was the largest capacity terraced stand in the country, marginally higher than Anfield’s Kop.

Here are highlights of that match for those who want to know more about the game:

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Manchester United 0 City 2

Here’s a brief clip I took on this day (6 November) in 2021 of City fans at the end of the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford. A dominant day for Manchester’s Blues.

After the game City manager Pep Guardiola told the BBC he wanted to give a ‘massive compliment to the players’ because ‘they are the real artists for the way we played.’

Guardiola said City’s approach was shaped by United’s ability on the counter-attack: ‘If you don’t finish the attack you will be attacked much, much quicker and that is where they are so good. That is why we needed a game with a thousand million passes. We need a game like with the ball in the fridge, keep it there. Right now Chelsea are unstoppable. We know we cannot drop much points to be close to them but against the big six we performed well.’

The win lifted City above Liverpool into second in the Premier League while fifth-placed United were nine points behind leaders Chelsea.

Here’s MCFC’s film of the game:

https://www.mancity.com/citytv/mens/manchester-united-city-match-highlights-premier-league-long-63771808

A Shock Transfer From Spurs

Today (5 November) marks the anniversary of a shock transfer of an England international from Tottenham to Manchester City only a few days before an England game. The player even travelled on the Tottenham coach to Manchester as the two teams were about to play each other. You can read the story and match reports here:

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Manchester Corinthians Reunion/Celebration

We have organised a Manchester Corinthians Celebration/Reunion on Monday 2nd December 2024 at the Mancunian Suite, Manchester City FC, Etihad Stadium.

Corinthians from every era of the club’s existence are anticipated to be there from the club’s first season in 1948-49 onwards. The idea is to celebrate the achievements of all the women who played, founder Percy Ashley and the others involved with the club over the years.

If the publishing schedule works out my book: Manchester Corinthians The Authorised History may also be present.

Please contact gary@GJFootballArchive.com if you are a Corinthian/Nomad and would like to attend.

We are keen to ensure as many Corinthians as possible are present. So if you know a Corinthian we may have missed then please let us know.

Manchester Corinthians Blue Plaque Unveiling
Order: Manchester Corinthians Book

Kendall’s Last

On this day (3 November) in 1990 Manchester City and Sunderland played out a 1-1 draw at Roker Park, watched by 23,137. This was Howard Kendall’s last match in charge as his affair with City came to an end. Within days he had returned to his first love Everton.

While you’re here why not subscribe and read a series of articles covering Manchester City in the 1990s (and other decades too)? Here’s an article on 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: (it’s a 2,700 word article available to subscribers):

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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (above) or £20 a year (here) to access everything posted since the site was created in December 2020. This special rate works out about £1.67 a week and gives access to everything posted, including PDFs of 3 of my books.

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Norwich Suffer

A flashback to a high scoring win for Manchester’s Blues on 2 November 2013…

After the 2-1 last gasp defeat at Chelsea in their previous League game, manager Manuel Pellegrini took the decision to drop goalkeeper Joe Hart for this important match with Norwich. The decision brought much scrutiny City’s way but Hart’s replacement Pantilimon had little to do as the Blues thrashed Norwich 7-0.  The win lifted City to fourth in the League but more significantly demonstrated the fire power the Blues possessed and demonstrated to all that Pellegrini’s men were determined to mount a serious challenge for the title. Seven separate scorers – including an own goal – made this City’s largest top flight win since 1968. Afterwards Pellegrini was delighted that his side kept striving for more: “Normally a team 4-0 ahead finishes working.”

City had a 100% home record in the Premier League but away from home life was not so easy. At Sunderland in the next League game the Blues were unfortunate to lose 1-0. The BBC’s Sam Sheringham explained: “Referee Mike Dean’s leniency was on display once again in the build-up to the opening goal. The official opted not to penalise Bardsley when he appeared to bundle over Milner, allowing the full-back to race on to Brown’s long pass and curl a precise finish past Costel Pantilimon.”

The Blues were back down to eighth in what seemed likely to be a tight title race.

Match Stats:

2013-14

2 Nov   Norwich City (H)                        W 7-0 Silva, Nastasic, Negredo, Toure, Aguero, Dzeko & Johnson (OG)              47,066

10 Nov Sunderland (A)                         L 0-1                                        40,137

League Cup

30 Oct  Newcastle United (A)                 W 2-0 Negredo, Dzeko             33,846

Goal Flood

On this day twenty years ago (1 November 2004) Willo Flood netted the only League goal of his Manchester City career. It came from a strike on the edge of the area in a 1-1 draw with Norwich. He had previously scored in a League Cup tie, but this was the only League goal in 14 League games for the Irishman. You can see the goal below:

Flood’s goal was the City opener but Norwich equalised 12 seconds into the second half.

Andy Morrison Debut

On 31 October 1998 an influential figure in MCFC history made his debut…

Manchester City’s first ever third tier season had been one of struggle so far prompting manager Joe Royle to search for changes. He brought in loan signings Michael Branch and Andy Morrison and they made impressive debuts at home to Colchester. The game had been goalless at half time – and City had been booed off! – but substitute Ian Bishop brought some drive to the team in the second half. In the 49th minute Horlock netted a penalty and four minutes later his corner was headed home by Morrison for a debut day goal. Colchester scored a consolation via Jason Dozzell but it was Morrison who ended the day the happiest. Royle: “Morrison was strong-willed and proved a good passer. And at least we have someone who talks at the back!”  A week later the Blues made Morrison’s move a permanent one, signing him for £80,000.

Morrison continued to impress in the next game, a 3-0 victory over near neighbours Oldham. Kevin Horlock was actually the star man, scoring twice in the first half, with Morrison netting a volley for the third. Royle was happy with the win but not the specifics of the match: “We were nowhere near our best but we scored three terrific goals, had one disallowed, hit the bar and didn’t get a blatant penalty so I can’t be disappointed.”

The Blues were now up to fifth and there was a feeling that a corner had been turned – but the season had many twists to come yet!

Match stats: 31 Oct 1998 Colchester United (H) W 2-1 Horlock (pen), Morrison   Attendance 24,820