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.
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SAAB & City
On this day (28 August) in 1982 Manchester City should have played their first League game with a sponsor’s name on their shirt. However the match was televised and in those days TV did not allow clubs to wear sponsors names in televised games. The match was a 2-1 win away at Norwich and City’s first sponsor was the car company Saab.
New signing David Cross scored the opener after 3 minutes and 5 seconds (below) and we all thought this was going to be a great season. I won’t spoil it by saying what happened the following May!
Here’s another SAAB & City photo from later that season:
The Noel Gallagher Interview
It seems an appropriate time to re-release this… Back on Thursday May 20 2021 I interviewed Noel Gallagher about his support of Manchester City, Pep, Europe and more. It was great for two Mancs of a similar age to get together to chat about City. I really enjoyed it.
Here’s part one:
Part two:
Part three:
Part four:
https://gjfootballarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/noel-gallagher-part-4-1.mp3
Part five:
Thanks to Noel and the staff at his studios & office for making this happen.
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Former Manchester City Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson Has Died
Former City and England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has died at the age of 76. My thoughts are with is family and friends.
Back in 2007 Sven arrived at Manchester City and brought positivity, entertainment and so much more in an extraordinary season. The season began with a great start which included City defeating Fergie’s United 1-0 in Sven’s first derby. His City career ended with him having a 100% win record in the derby. Here’s a video of Geovanni’s goal:
Thanks Sven for a great season.
MCFC V Ipswich: Abandoned Match
The last two games abandoned at Maine Rd were actually both meetings between City and Ipswich. Here’s a reminder of one of them. It’s the 3 January 1994 meeting. After 39 minutes 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. As a fan I wasn’t particularly happy either! 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.
As I mentioned, 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:
David White Double v Liverpool
On this day (21 August) a Wednesday night meeting with Liverpool ended in a 2-1 victory for Manchester City. You can see highlights of the game (and relive the days of night matches on the Kippax/at Maine Rd) including two David White goals here:
Swift Return
On this day (20 August) in 1949 Frank Swift was talked out of retirement following health problems with Manchester City ‘keeper Alec Thurlow. Swift’s return match ended in a 3-3 draw at home to Aston Villa, watched by 43,196. Here for subscribers is a profile of Alec Thurlow (Unfortunately, it’s a sad story!):
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Sven’s First Manchester Derby
On this day (19 August) in 2007 Sven’s Manchester City defeated Fergie’s United 1-0 in Sven’s first derby since joining City that summer. His City career ended with him having a 100% win record in the derby. Here’s a video of Geovanni’s goal:
Chelsea v City
It’s Chelsea v Manchester City today. There are lots of features on this site about the two clubs such as this one talking about Alan Oakes’ debut:
Other features on City & Chelsea games can be read here:
Forward as Goalkeeper for 3/4 of Game v Chelsea
This weekend Manchester City face Chelsea and it’s reminded me of this newspaper cutting from the 1930s. I love this cutting showing Manchester City striker Eric Brook in nets v Chelsea. He was deputising for the Blues’ injured goalkeeper. It looks like Brook had a bandana on his head here too! The photo was taken on December 17 1932. You can read the match report here.
City were losing 1-0 when Nicholls was injured 15 minutes into the match and the scoreline became even more convincing as the game progressed. However this report (from a London edition of a national newspaper) states that City were the better team in both halves.
