Category Archives: FA Cup

City 6 Norwich 0

On this day (24 January) 1981 John Bond’s Manchester City defeated his former club Norwich 6-0 in the FA Cup fourth round tie. Subscribers can read a report and watch highlights here:

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The 1940s: Film of City v Chelsea 1948

There’s a wonderful film of Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup on 24 January 1948 which really needs to be seen. I’d urge everyone to watch this, even if it’s just for Frank Swift’s reaction to a decision. You’ll also see some wonderful coverage of Maine Road too. The film can be seen here: https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/84094/

The City scorers were Billy Linacre and George Smith.

If you’d like to find out more on the 1947-48 season then the following 1000 word subscriber article can be read by subscribing below.

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Five Years Ago: MCFC V Cheltenham For The First Time

A break from the Premier League saw Manchester City face League Two’s Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup on 23 January 2021. It was the first time the teams had met competitively, and it was a real shame that Covid restrictions meant that fans could not attend this away game for the Blues.

Cheltenham took a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute through Alfie May. A long throw in was followed by Cheltenham’s Charlie Ragland and Will Boyle helping the ball on, before May reacted and poked it home. It was a bit of a jolt to the system, especially as there had been several opportunities for City to take the lead, but the Blues remained resolute. Tactical changes followed and then Joao Cancelo laid the ball on for Phil Foden, who levelled after 81 minutes. Three minutes later Gabriel Jesus scored after a pass from Fernandinho and City were in total control.

Four minutes into added time Ferran Torres made it 3-1, setting the Blues up with a fifth-round trip to Swansea.

Pep Guardiola felt City were always going to win through and when questioned about team selections and formations post-match he commented: ‘I didn’t have regrets even when we were 1-0 down, we had clear chances from the first minute… When they take advantage it gets complicated, but we got it to 1-1 and it was tight. We came here with humility and had the quality to make the difference.’

The 1950s: Film of a FA Cup Tie in 1952

Here’s film of a FA Cup tie between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers from this day (12 January) in 1952: https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/52898/ The game ended in a 2-2 draw at Maine Road before 54,497. The City scorers were Jimmy Meadows and Don Revie (penalty).

The series on the 1950s includes some free articles and some subscriber only features. If you’d like to know more on this period then why not subscriber and enjoy the following article on the 1951-52 season.

This is a subscriber article and you can read it by subscribing below.

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Manchester City V Brighton – The Story And Film Of The First Ever Meeting

Tonight (7 January 2026) Manchester City and Brighton meet in the Premier League. The first game between the two clubs came over 100 years ago in 1924. This game was a newsworthy FA Cup tie due to the return of a legend to the City team. In fact it was so newsworthy that a movie company sent their camera (you’ll see from the footage it never moved!) to Brighton’s Goldstone Ground to capture the return of a true Blue hero.

Here’s film of that game, though sadly we don’t see Meredith or the goal. City are the dark shirted team (actually the club’s ‘Lucky Scarlet’!):

https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-football-the-cup-action-from-the-third-round-of-the-fa-cup-653-1

Subscribers can also read an article about that day here:

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The 1950s: Film of WBA v Manchester City

Here’s film from this day (4 January) in 1958 when Manchester City visited West Bromwich Albion for a FA Cup tie. The game, played at the Hawthorns, was watched by 49,669. Joe Hayes scored for City… I won’t mention the result but it’s well worth watching these rare images of a game from that season.

https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/186752/

To find out more on this period in football then why not read my series on Manchester City in the 1950s. Here’s a 2,200 word article on the 1957-58 season. Enjoy!

This is a subscriber article and you can read it by subscribing below.

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From My Collection: The Radio Times

Here’s a nice cover from the Radio Times featuring Manchester City’s 1969 FA Cup winners. They defeated Leicester 1-0 thanks to a goal from prolific City scorer Neil Young.

Manchester City v Exeter – The First Time

Today’s (8 December 2025) FA Cup third round draw has resulted in Manchester City and Exeter being drawn against each for what will be the first competitive fixture ever between the clubs. It’s always satisfying when the FA Cup throws up a unique occasion like this. Looking forward to it.

Amazing Comebacks?

I’ve been asked if Manchester City have ever thrown away a four goal lead… I’ve not started searching but there is a game in 1957 that saw City throw away a 3-0 lead in the first 30 minutes. The game ended in a 5-4 defeat and here’s the story of that match as told in my book Manchester The City Years (with contemporary match reports for subscribers below too):

In the FA Cup third round tie at struggling Newcastle (January 1957), a crowd of 57,890 were entertained with a performance from both sides that had many pondering why the League was such an issue.  The game ended 1-1 at a rain soaked St. James Park, although Bill McAdams missed a relatively simple chance towards the end thanks to the poor conditions.

The following Wednesday 46,988 watched a match that was acclaimed the “game of the year.”  Playing again in heavy conditions, the Blues were leading 3-0 within thirty minutes thanks to a Bob Stokeo own goal, an excellent header from the reliable Bobby Johnstone, and a minute later a Paddy Fagan effort from a fine through pass by McAdams.  Newcastle appeared dead and buried, but the game was far from over.

Three minutes into the second half Newcastle fought back with a penalty from Tommy Casey.  Sixteen minutes from time Alex Tait brought Newcastle’s tally to two, then with the pressure on City’s goal increasing the Geordies seemed destined to find the equaliser.  Sure enough, with only five minutes remaining, Newcastle levelled via a Bill Curry header.  According to Newcastle based reporters even the City fans applauded!

City had now lost the initiative.  The match went into extra time and the Newcastle supporters began singing the “Blaydon Races.”  The game appeared to be Newcastle’s, but with typical City unpredictability the Blues took the lead again.  Bobby Johnstone netting his second of the game and third of the tie.

Despite the goal, Newcastle managed to regain control and Len White scored twice to end City’s hopes of a decent cup run.  For Newcastle this has been recorded as “arguably the club’s most thrilling encounter.”  The Big Book Of Football Champions even claimed that this “stirring battle of the giants” ensured the FA Cup remained “the greatest sporting competition in the world.”\

You can watch highlights here:

https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/61312/

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Were You One of These MCFC Fans in 1969?

Spotted this image from 1969 of Manchester City fans at Trafalgar Square for the FA Cup Final. I wonder if there’s anyone reading who is on this photo? Feel free to let me know if you are on it.

You can find out all about Manchester City during the 1968-69 season by reading the following subscriber article. If you’d like to read this 6,000 word article , plus all other articles on the site, then please subscribe (see below).

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