Fifty years ago today (18 April 1973) City defeated Newcastle 2-0 with goals from Tommy Booth (a header) and a brilliant effort from Rodney Marsh (in 69th minute). City’s boss at the time was Johnny Hart. You can read his frank views (from an interview I did with him several years ago) here:
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A League is Born
On this day (17 April) in 1888 the first meeting of the Football League was held in Manchester. The following report names the clubs accepted and the others who wanted to join the League. It has often been written in Manchester United related books that Newton Heath applied to join the League in 1888 but didn’t receive enough votes to be accepted. That is completely untrue as no one actually had to apply nor was a vote taken. Clubs were asked and some tried to push to get included but Newton Heath were neither asked nor were they pushing for acceptance either. Nor were Ardwick or Manchester Asoociation who, to be frank would’ve been the most famous Manchester club at this time.
Bolton Wanderers were the only team from present day Greater Manchester to be asked/selected for the first League season.
The plaque is positioned on the corner of Mosley Street and Market Street/Piccadilly in Manchester.
Companies House Register MCFC
Today (16 April) in 1894 Companies House formally registered Manchester City FC as a new company. If you look carefully at the original Memorandum of Association you can see the registration date on the right of the image (just to the right of the word ‘SHARES’) below.
If you want to know the facts not the fiction, plus my own interpretation of the events then in March 2023 I performed a one hour talk on 1894 etc. Subscribers can view that here:
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Death: Struck by Ball
On this day (13 April) in 1894 the Manchester coroner heard the tragic story of John Nuttall who had been struck by a ball at a game on the Hyde Road football ground. Nuttall fell against the post and was knocked unconscious. He died that evening.
Nuttall had been at the ground selling sweets to the crowd and this was a terrible tragedy during the final days of the Ardwick AFC.
MCFC Documentation Signed
Today (13 April) in 1894 a Memorandum of Association was signed creating Manchester City FC. The first aims of the Club were to promote football, cricket, lacrosse, lawn tennis, hockey, bicycle & tricycle riding, running, and jumping.
If you want to know the facts not the fiction, plus my own interpretation of the events then in March 2023 I performed a one hour talk on 1894 etc. Subscribers can view that here:
Subscribe to get access – Annual
Annual subscribers can watch this and access everything else on the site. It costs £20 a year (about £1.67) and you’ll have full access to everything until your subscription ends. Alternatively there is a monthly offer below.
Subscribe to get access – Monthly
Monthly subscribers can watch this and access everything posted since 1 October 2022. It costs £3 per month (cancel any time).
MCFC Formation Meeting
A day after the Manchester FA had accepted Manchester City into their organisation, on condition of obtaining a ground, the new football club held its formation meeting. This was held on this day (12 April) in 1894. It’s worth noting that at that meeting City claimed they were going to lease the Hyde Road ground which, only the night before, Ardwick AFC claimed they still leased.
If you want to know the facts not the fiction, plus my own interpretation of the events then in March 2023 I performed a one hour talk on 1894 etc. Subscribers can view that here:
Subscribe to get access – Annual
Annual subscribers can watch this and access everything else on the site. It costs £20 a year (about £1.67) and you’ll have full access to everything until your subscription ends. Alternatively there is a monthly offer below.
Subscribe to get access – Monthly
Monthly subscribers can watch this and access everything posted since 1 October 2022. It costs £3 per month (cancel any time).
Temporary Cox
A 25th minute goal from Anelka helped City to their fourth successive draw under the temporary stewardship of Arthur Cox on this day (12 April) in 2004. Manager Kevin Keegan was absent due to instructions from his doctor to rest his bad back. The game with Spurs ended 1-1 on Easter Monday.
Manchester FA Accept MCFC
On this day (11 April) in 1894 the Manchester FA agreed to accept the newly established Manchester City FC into the Manchester FA so long as the new club could secure a ground. This was an important point as Ardwick AFC had been against the local FA accepting MCFC at this time as they were hoping to retain use of the Hyde Road ground and continue playing. Much of this time is incorrectly reported with many incorrectly assuming Ardwick to MCFC was a simple name change.
If you want to know the facts not the fiction, plus my own interpretation of the events then in March 2023 I performed a one hour talk on 1894 etc. Subscribers can view that here:
Subscribe to get access – Annual
Annual subscribers can watch this and access everything else on the site. It costs £20 a year (about £1.67) and you’ll have full access to everything until your subscription ends. Alternatively there is a monthly offer below.
Subscribe to get access – Monthly
Monthly subscribers can watch this and access everything posted since 1 October 2022. It costs £3 per month (cancel any time).
Neutral Venue
On this day (9 April) in 1975 Fulham and Birmingham City met at Maine Road in a FA Cup semi-final replay. It was an evenly matched game until – with only around a minute of extra-time left – Fulham striker John Mitchell chased a hopeful ball into the Birmingham area. The Birmingham ‘keeper Dave Latchford blocked a shot which then rebounded off John Mitchell’s leg and into the net to give Fulham a 1-0 victory.
The attendance for this midweek replay was 35,205 with over 20,000 coming from Birmingham (according to their local press!). Although Maine Road was a regular and popular semi-final venue during most of its history, it does seem a rather strange choice for this tie considering the location of the sides taking part.
Happy Birthday Joe Royle
Future Oldham Athletic manager, Manchester City player and manager Joe Royle was born at Norris Green, Liverpool on this day (8 April) in 1949 . During his City career Royle won the League Cup as a player and back to back promotions as a manager. There are quite a few Royle articles on this site such as:
