Football writing, thoughts and more by Gary James
I spent much of the day at Hotel Football being interviewed about the history of the #ManchesterDerby. An edited version (I obviously went on a bit!) will be shown on TV in Scandinavia in the build up to the game tomorrow. It was great to explain how the history of Manchester football has developed, including support and more.
The interviewer was Jakob Krupa from Viaplay. If you’re in Scandinavia I hope you get chance to see it.
On this day (12 January) in 1974 Denis Law and Rodney Marsh provided the goals as Manchester City defeated Leicester City 2-0 in a thrilling game at Maine Road.
City were in blistering form for this game and absolutely tore in to Leicester. Only the brilliance of England ‘keeper Peter Shilton kept the score down as the report shows.
I was six years old and sat in the ‘old’ Platt Lane Stand with my dad that day. Were you also at this match? If you were why not leave your memory as a comment or email it to me for possible future use on this website?
Film of the game here:
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Read more of this website when you subscribe today. It works out about £1.67 a month if you take out an annual subscription (£20 per year) or £3 a month (access everything posted since 1 October 2022) if you’d like to sign up for a month at a time. Sign up for annual above and monthly here.
On this day (11 January) in 1977 Joe Royle ensured Manchester City progressed to face Newcastle United in the FA Cup by scoring the only goal of the Third Round replay at West Bromwich Albion. The first game had ended in a 1-1 draw at Maine Road. You can read more about the 1976-77 season here:
Manchester City’s 1976-77 Season
Were you at this match? If you were why not leave your memory as a comment or email it to me for possible future use on this website?
On this day (10 January) in 1954 future Manchester United and Manchester City full-back John Gidman was born. Gidman briefly became a cult hero at Maine Road by stating that City were the only side he would leave Old Trafford for at the time of his transfer in 1986. He went on to make 66 (plus 1 as substitute) appearances for the Blues.
Peter Barnes played a part in getting Gidman to Manchester City. The full story is in my biography of Peter which can be bought here:
Do you have memories of John Gidman at City? If you do why not leave your memory as a comment or email it to me for possible future use on this website?
On Wednesday 18 January at 6pm (UK time) come and join me for one hour of discussion about Manchester City FC away games. Sign up to listen to and participate in this free event where we will share memories of watching Manchester City away. This hour will be interactive as I’m keen to hear your memories of your first away game and of other away matches. The aim is to celebrate and share knowledge of great away moments, matches and following.
Do you remember traveling on the Train specials that the City Supporters Travel Club used to organise? Or were you on one of the official coaches, maybe number one coach with Helen ‘the Bell’ Turner?
Amongst the moments/subjects being discussed will be the history of travelling to away games; Trevor Francis’ debut; railway & coach specials; the experience of being an away fan; games at Notts County, Barnsley, Stoke, Bradford, Crystal Palace, Manchester United etc. & much more.
Register now to join this online zoom discussion. The plan is to open up the chat so that we can share our memories of our first away games or of experiences watching City away. Maybe we can remind each other of some great (and not so great) moments supporting City on their travels?
The link will be sent out shortly before the event is live to all those registered. Only those registered will be admitted into the video chat site. You must register here if you want to get involved.
The talk will last about 1 hour and will be online on zoom, so you should be able to access it anywhere. This is a free event but there are a limited number of tickets. These must be ordered in advance.
There is a limited capacity so please book early if you want to participate.
The event will be live on Zoom on 18/1/23 at 6pm and a link will be sent to all those who have registered for the event beforehand (probably the day before the event). To sign up for this online Zoom talk please register via this link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manchester-city-memories-of-away-days-tickets-510637800407
On this day (8 January) in 1990 forward Wayne Clarke was signed by Manchester City from Leicester City while David Oldfield travelled in the opposite direction as part of the deal.
Whereas Oldfield had gained a place in City’s history as one of the goalscorers in City’s memorable 5-1 victory over Manchester United in September 1989, Clarke struggled to carve out a place in the side. He left Maine Road for a variety of loan spells the following October after making only 7 (plus 14 as substitute) first team appearances.
Do you have memories of either Oldfield or Clarke at City? If you do why not leave your memory as a comment or email it to me for possible future use on this website? Keep it respectable of course.
On this day (7 January) in 1977 the BBC in the northwest showed this incredible profile. On several occasions over the last decade myself & Will McTaggart have included this video profile of MCFC chairman Peter Swales in our Boys In Blue film show. Each time those who missed it have asked if they could see a video of it. That wasn’t possible until a few months ago. You can see the Swales profile here…
I would urge all MCFC fans and others to watch this in all its glory. Some of you may wish to jump to the David Brent-esque clip at 3 mins 20. Others may want to see the Ian Niven roof plan that was thwarted by signing Dave Watson at 1 min 45 secs. Then there’s the scene where Swales gives Watson financial advice (45 secs) and it ends with Swales telling us he was a bit like Kevin Keegan (4 mins).
This really is MCFC gold. Enjoy:
It’s the return of the FA Cup tonight with Manchester United facing Everton. It’s always worth reminding ourselves of the significance of the FA Cup to Manchester and the story of Manchester’s first major trophy success. The captain and goalscorer of the first triumph by Manchester in 1904 was the great Billy Meredith. In 2021 following the purchase of the oldest surviving FA Cup by Sheikh Mansour (to loan to the National Football Museum) I helped Manchester City with the story of the cup and its significance to Manchester. They’ve produced a video telling the story and it can be viewed here:
https://www.mancity.com/citytv/mens/manchesters-first-trophy-1904-fa-cup-documentary-63745781
For more on the significance of this FA Cup trophy check out the category 1903-04 in the drop down list below.
On this day (6 January) in 2001 goals from Andy Morrison, Darren Huckerby and a penalty from Shaun Goater brought Manchester City a 3-2 FA Cup third round win over Birmingham City. City had raced to a three goal lead and seemed comfortable but then things started to go horribly wrong. Fortunately, the Blues held on for the victory though. Phew! It was one of those games. Here’s a contemporary match report of the game:
I was sat in the ‘new’ Platt Lane Stand that day. Were you also at this match? If you were why not leave your memory as a comment or email it to me for possible future use on this website?
You can read more articles on Shaun Goater here:
Heavy snow fall across the country threatened fixtures in January 2010, then on Tuesday 5 January, a day before it was scheduled to be played, the all-Manchester League Cup semi-final was called off. Manchester City’s pitch was perfectly playable, however traffic chaos in Manchester was an issue.
The Blues had been desperate for the match to be played as the mood seemed perfect for a City victory. There was a great deal of positivity. Similarly, at United a FA Cup defeat to Leeds had increased the pressure on the Reds. By the time the two sides did face each other the momentum had changed.
I was in the North Stand when this game was eventually played. Were you at the game when it took place? If you were why not leave your memory as a comment or email it to me for possible future use on this website?
If you have enjoyed this free post and would like to support my research and writing then please subscribe. Annual subscribers (£20 per year, sign up here) get access to everything posted on the site including PDFs of 2 of my out of print books and archived content like my exclusive audio interviews with John Bond, Malcolm Allison etc. Not only that but you’ll be helping to support this site’s development.
If you have enjoyed this free post and would like to support my research and writing then please subscribe. Monthly subscribers (£3 per month, cancel anytime and sign up here) get access to everything posted on the site since 1 October 2022. Not only that but you’ll be helping to support this site’s development.
Gary James' Football Archive 