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Maine Road 100 – Day 5

The fifth of my posts counting down to the centenary of Maine Road’s opening game. Today it’s about the Players’ Tunnel at Maine Road…

Before I start notice on the black and white image the pitchside stone post. Yesterday I mentioned the carved edge style and how originally there were two impressive stone posts, one either side of the tunnel entrance. I said that by 2003 these had been remodelled extensively to match the rest of the white perimeter wall but that one of them still showed an element of the styling used throughout the stadium at the time of construction.

Maine Road’s Tunnel post. Photo by Ed Garvey

Well on the black and white image you can see that same post (on the right of captain Jimmy McMullan) in its original form.

So, what’s my angle for today? Well, it’s the players’ tunnel itself. In this 1926 image you can see the tunnel as it looked when it was first built. Eagle eyed readers may notice that the tunnel looks a little different to how it did during the 1970s onwards. That wall above the tunnel was actually taken down and the front of the seating above the tunnel was brought forward into the tunnel during the 1960s. You can see that by looking at this image of chairman Albert Alexander and Joe Mercer who are actually sat in front of where the original tunnel wall was. The space they occupy would have been open air, floating above the tunnel only a few years earlier.

Albert Alexander & Joe Mercer in the Directors’ Box extension (Copyright Mirrorpix).

The 1926 photo of the tunnel appeared in my 1997 book Manchester The Greatest City and about a year after it was published I received a letter from Canada. It came from an elderly City supporter who had emigrated to Canada many years earlier. His daughter had returned to England for a visit in 1998 and she popped into a bookshop (I think it was the old Sportspages shop) thinking that if there was a book on Manchester City she would buy it for her dad. She saw my book and bought it.

When she returned to Canada she gave the book to her father and while reading it he was stunned to find himself as a small boy on this photo. He is pictured leaning on the wall close to his mother and father. It was a remarkable coincidence but what made it even more special is that this photo came from film of the game. I was able, with the support of the British Film Institute to get a VHS copy of the game and I sent it to Canada so that he could also see himself and his parents on film, moving around.

For me that story gave me an overwhelming feeling that researching and writing about history can add significantly to the wellbeing, interests or lives of others. Research matters. There was also a great feeling of coincidence – I could easily have chosen a different illustration; the daughter may not have bought my book; her father may have only glanced through the book and so on.

1926 City v Fulham, Maine Road. Jimmy McMullan with the ball.

If you’d like to read more on the history of Maine Road, take a look at Farewell To Maine Road, which can be downloaded from this page:

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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Maine Road 100 – Day 4

The fourth of my posts counting down to the centenary of Maine Road’s opening game. Today it’s a couple of odd design features that lasted until the end…

Most City fans will know of the semi-circular mosaics that featured above the exit gates (I’ll discuss them and another one later in the year) but these didn’t quite make it to the last game, being removed in the build up to it. There were a few other design features that did and, although these don’t look particularly impressive or significant, they do give clues to the style architect Charles Swain tried to use throughout his planning for the venue.

Below you can see the rectangles and carved edges of these wooden posts. These were typical of the style Swain adopted throughout the ground. Most of the woodwork and large scale stonework (such as the pitch side pillar also seen) used similar patterning when first constructed.

Maine Road’s Director’s Box panelling. Photo by Ed Garvey

The carved edge style is also seen here on this stone post marking the entrance to the pitch for the players. Originally there were two impressive stone posts, one either side of the tunnel entrance. But by 2003 these had been remodelled extensively to match the rest of the white perimeter wall. However, this carved corners still showed an element of the styling used throughout the stadium at the time of construction.

It was said that architect Charles Swain adopted an Art deco style, but if he did his planning was at the cutting edge of design as Art Deco didn’t become prominent until after 1926. He certainly used styling he’d have been familiar with from his days as a theatre architect.

If you’d like to read more on the history of Maine Road, take a look at Farewell To Maine Road, which can be downloaded from this page:

You can find lots of material on Maine Road throughout this website. Some of it is only available to subscribers but there’s also a lot of free stuff on here.

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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A Momentous Event Held Here

This image is of the Old Boar’s Head, Withy Grove, Manchester. On this day (21 May) in 1894 a momentous event connected with Manchester football was held here. Read on for details of what that was….

Manchester was celebrating on this day in 1894. Not only did Queen Victoria open the Manchester Ship Canal that day but Manchester City Football Club was admitted into the Football League. The club had no players; little money and there were still question marks over the ground they would use but somehow they headed the vote for admission/re-election to the League. The full story was covered earlier this year when I did a hour long talk on it all. Subscribers can watch that below:

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Maine Road 100 – Day 3

The third of my posts counting down to the centenary of Maine Road’s opening game. Today I’d like to talk about exploring the back rooms and cupboards of the old ground.

During the 2002-03 season while I was researching and writing Farewell To Maine Road, the official history of City’s grounds, I was allowed to wander around the old place for my research. Club photographer Ed Garvey often accompanied me and we’d open doors, look under seats and generally try to see things that would not always be immediately obvious on match day.

One day we were helped on to the ‘new’ Kippax roof – a scary experience! Other teams we explored the nooks and crannies of the stands. Then there was the time when a paint store room door was open. We popped our heads in and found this gem. This old ‘ghost sign’ saying ‘Commit No Nuisance’ had originally been on public view. That wall was the internal side of the large external wall that surrounded the Kippax terracing. Fans would congregate on the side we were on and the painted notice would warn them to ‘commit no nuisance’.

A few of these used to be positioned around the ground but by 2002-03 we’d assumed they’d all gone. This one survived because, at some point the club built a series of storerooms and additional toilets against this wall, trapping this specific sign for ever.

I wish we could have dismantled it and taken it for good to be re-erected at the new stadium but sadly that wasn’t possible for various reasons. At least we managed to take a photo of it and ensure a permanent record of it was kept for ever.

2023 marks the 100th anniversary of Maine Road’s first game and to commemorate this landmark moment I will be posting a different image or feature on the old stadium each day for 100 days. Day 100 will be the actual centenary of that historic first game.

If you’d like to read more on the history of Maine Road, take a look at Farewell To Maine Road, which can be downloaded from this page:

Maine Road 100 – Day 2

The second of my articles counting down to the centenary of Maine Road’s opening game highlights some of the original aims of architect Charles Swain. This image shows the central staircase at the centre of the Main Stand top corridor. In its heyday this was a rather dramatic entry point to the seats. Daylight poured in through the large window and two smaller side windows. At 3pm on a typical match day the sun (okay, this is Manchester so maybe the light!) was directly behind the stand.

The top corridor of the Main Stand provided a more genteel atmosphere than other areas of the ground and when the stadium opened this corridor (below) included two tea rooms and plenty of space for City’s wealthier fans to mingle. The space may seem small by today’s standards but was significantly more impressive than most other venues of the era.

The original aims of architect Charles Swain are so clear. His background was in the design of theatres and cinemas and he wanted to give City attendees the same quality he gave theatre goers.

Maine Road’s Top Corridor. Photo by Ed Garvey

2023 marks the 100th anniversary of Maine Road’s first game and to commemorate this landmark moment I will be posting a different image or feature on the old stadium each day for the next 100 days. Day 100 will be the actual centenary of that historic first game.

If you’d like to read more on the history of Maine Road, take a look at Farewell To Maine Road, which can be downloaded from this page:

Maine Road’s Top Corridor staircase leading to the seats. Photo by Ed Garvey

You can find lots of material on Maine Road throughout this website. Some of it is only available to subscribers but there’s also a lot of free stuff on here. If you like what you see why not subscribe or if you just want to support the site then that’s great too.

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.

Choose an amount

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£5.00

£7.50

Or enter a custom amount

Your contribution is appreciated.

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Maine Road 100 – Day 1 Answers

2023 marks the 100th anniversary of Maine Road’s first game and to commemorate this landmark moment I will be posting a different image and feature on the old stadium each day for the next 100 days. Yesterday I started with a little quiz and asked…

Look at this image of Maine Road from 1971. Can you identify the names/details for every one of the numbered areas of the old ground?

Maine Road aerial 1971 from Farewell To Maine Road

The answers are:

1 – Main Stand 1923-2003 (AKA Grand Stand on occasion)

2 – Main Stand J Block 1973-2003 (area between Main & North Stands

3 – Main Stand G Block 1931-1993 (area between Main & Platt Lane Stands, AKA Family Stand; ‘new’ G Block 1993-2003)

4 – Platt Lane Corner 1931-1993 (corner of Platt Lane leading to Main Stand, AKA Apple Pie Corner; The Boys’ Stand; The Boys’ Corner; ‘new’ Family Stand 1993-2003)

5 – Platt Lane Stand 1935-1993 (alternative ‘new’ Platt Lane 1993-2003; UMBRO Stand was initial name after redevelopment; original unroofed terracing 1923-1935)

6 – Platt Lane/Kippax Corner 1923-1994 (alternative: away section – which also stretched into the Kippax; HH temporary stand late 1990s onwards, which was also dubbed the ‘Alan Ball Stand’ as it was small and didn’t make much noise or the Gene Kelly 2)

7 – Kippax Street Stand 1957-1994 (AKA Popular Side 1923-1957 and replaced by ‘new’ Kippax Stand 1994-2003)

8 – Chanters Corner 1960s-1994 (AKA The Sways)

9 – Windy Corner 1923-1994 (area in between Kippax and North Stand; Alternative: Temporary Stand UU 1997-2003 dubbed the Gene Kelly Stand; original terracing 1923 to 1971 then rebuilt terracing as part of North Stand development)

10 – The North Stand 1971-2003 (alternative: The Scoreboard End 1923-1971 and referred to as The City End in an episode of Coronation Street!)

This image and associated terminology will help those unfamiliar with the specifics of the old ground over the coming weeks as I’ll provide more images, stories and facts about Maine Road. Enjoy!

Subscribers to my site can download the book Farewell To Maine Road, which was published in 2003. Details on this page:

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.

Choose an amount

£2.50

£5.00

£7.50

Or enter a custom amount

Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate

Maine Road 100 – Day 1

2023 marks the 100th anniversary of Maine Road’s first game and to commemorate this landmark moment I will be posting a different image and feature on the old stadium each day for the next 100 days. Day 100 will be the actual centenary of that historic first game. Today I’m starting with a little quiz…

Look at this image of Maine Road from 1971. Can you identify the names/details for every one of the numbered areas of the old ground?

I’ll be posting the answers tomorrow, so watch this space. If you can’t wait that long then subscribers to my site can find the answers on page 13 of Farewell To Maine Road which can be downloaded from this page:

Manchester’s Two Join The League

Today (17 May) in 1892 at the Queens Hotel in Sunderland the Football League accepted two aspiring Manchester clubs into its competitions. Newton Heath applied and were accepted into the First Division and Ardwick applied and were accepted into the new Second Division of the League. Ardwick did not apply to join the top flight and it is believed the two Manchester clubs had an agreement not to go up against each other as in other votes two clubs from the same city had occasionally taken votes from each other. Had they gone head to head it may well have been that either one or no Manchester club would have gained admittance to the League.

I’m Excited Tommy!

As a football historian I love days when history could be made and as a fan I get a bit giddy looking forward to what could be an absolutely incredible evening (and final few weeks of the season). Obviously, history is made every day, win or lose, but when you wake up on a day when there’s a possibility of reaching a major final; of facing the most successful European team of all time; and achieving something few other English teams have managed to achieve then you can’t help but get excited.

These last few days I’ve been writing and reading about a variety of footballing achievements in women’s football and the all-Manchester FA Cup final. I’ve written a couple of pieces for the FA Cup final programme and later today a prominent journalist who I respect will be interviewing me about the history of Manchester football but…. and it’s one I never thought I’d say… even the excitement of the first ever all-Manchester FA Cup final does not excite me as much as tonight’s Manchester City game when the Blues take on Real Madrid in the 2nd leg of the Champions League semi-final.

United fans will know how I feel. I well remember the days when they were reaching the latter stages of a major European competition and that took their focus, not the Manchester derby. My interest will change of course, after tonight (whatever happens) and this weekend when City could win the Premier League (I’m not counting any chickens here, I’m old enough to know how these things can go). I’ll be as excited as ever for an all-Manchester FA Cup final but for now, it’s Europe and Real Madrid that has given me a real buzz. I feel like the comedian Bobby Ball when he used to march on stage, pulling his braces saying to Tommy Cannon: ‘I’m excited, Tommy!’

Actually, Tommy’s killjoy responses remind me a bit of some of those critical journalists who always say ‘ah, but….’ ‘Ah, but nothing’ is my response at the moment. Let’s not forget that although the actual cash may seem small in today’s money, Nottingham Forest’s European successes came off the back of significant spending which, in today’s world, would probably have broken the Financial Fair Play rules. I’m not against what Forest achieved, far from it, and only mention it to highlight that truly successful clubs have usually seen massive investment, spending or significant debt established to fund major successes. Money has been the driving force in football since the 1800s.

Anyway, enough of that negativity. Let’s look forward to what could be a thrilling and memorable night in European competition. Football today is highly competitive, look at the Premier League where, in the last 3 seasons alone we’ve already had 2/3rds the winners they enjoyed during the entire decade of the 2000s. You can read more on how more competitive the top of the League actually is today than in past decades here:

Coming back to tonight…. It’s going to be a challenge; it’s going to be tough facing such a serial winner of this competition but with the wonderful coaching of Pep; the talented squad of stars; the backing of passionate fans; and a fair and appropriate level of refereeing it could be a truly great evening. I’m excited! I don’t care how they do it and a simple 1-0 win will be enough. ‘That’ll do for me, Tommy!’

You can read about the 2021 Champions League final here:

Something Special

As well as the ability to download a PDF of Farewell To Maine Road, I’ll be starting a special series of posts on Thursday that I’m sure many fans will find nostalgic, interesting and entertaining in some way. These will be free to download while the Maine Road book is for subscribers only. Watch this space. I’m sure Manchester City fans will enjoy this new series of posts.

For the Farewell To Maine Road book PDF details see:

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