Category Archives: Etihad/CityOfManchester Stadium

Manchester City’s Three Royal Boxes!

Last Saturday (25 October 2025) I was fortunate to be invited to the England v Brazil women’s international as a guest of the FA. My seat was in the Royal Box at the Etihad (City of Manchester Stadium as it was named on the night due to sponsorship reasons). On social media someone commented that the Royal Box was a bit of a stretch in terms of its name but the truth is that the Directors Box (as it’s more commonly known) has housed members of the British royal family, including the late Queen Elizabeth II. In fact it was originally named the Royal Box for the Commonwealth Games in 2002. Back then I remember suggesting it should retain the name and now, maybe, the original name should return?

Other royals, including the former King of Spain, have sat there for Manchester City games and other events, so the name would be quite apt. Funnily enough, the Etihad’s ‘Royal Box’ isn’t the first part of a City ground to be given that name. It’s not even the second but the third! Both Maine Road and before that Hyde Road, had visits from senior members of the British Royal Family and on each occasion the Directors Box was spruced up and renamed the Royal Box for the game. Here’s the current King’s great grandad at Hyde Road’s Royal Box in 1920:

The King with the Mayor in Hyde Road’s ‘Royal Box’. Notice Lawrence Furniss stood, behind the King. Furniss was a major figure from the 1880s to the 1940s at City.

So, City, how about renaming the Directors Box the Royal Box again?

The following subscriber article talks about all of that, but in essence the current King’s dad, grandad and great grandad have all attended City matches at one of City’s home grounds. You can read about those visits here:

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Manchester City’s 2011 Homecoming Parade

On this day (May 23) in 2011 Manchester City staged their first official homecoming victory parade since 1976. Here’s the story of what happened in the stadium for fans who couldn’t be there.

Here for subscribers is the story of that parade and City’s celebrations… 

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Four Titles in Five

On this day (22 May) in 2022 Manchester City beat Aston Villa 3-2 to win the Premier League in dramatic style. In 2012 whenCity won the League with that last day drama I thought ’ah, well we’ll never experience anything like that again. Next time it’ll feel different’ but then they did it again! As time goes by we tend to think of those incredible days as a great way to win the title but at the time it doesn’t feel like that! Here’s some of my film from that day:

Here’s a link to film of the game itself:

https://www.mancity.com/citytv/mens/manchester-city-3-2-aston-villa-extended-highlights-63788844

The 2021-22 season was an incredible season and we should always look back and remember that success (and all the others we’ve enjoyed). To win the Premier League you have to be the best, most consistent team that season. Winning the League – especially one that we are often told is the greatest in the League – is the mark of a truly great team.

Let’s not forget this success made it 4 titles in 5 seasons too! I know City ended up doing 4 in a row, but that is truly exceptional (and unique in England).

Years ago the great City coach Malcolm Allison told me that ‘it’s important to celebrate each success as if it’s your first because it could be your last.’ Never take anything for granted.

United’s Bank Street and City’s Etihad Then and Now

I’m not certain how many match going fans realise how close the site of Manchester City’s is to the site of Manchester United’s old Bank Street ground. The Reds moved back in 1910 to Old Trafford and the site is now the home of the BMX indoor centre. You can see the old ground on the right of the old map below (c.1910), while City’s current Etihad Stadium can be seen in the middle of the newer map. A few other things to look out for:

  • Rowsley Street still exists (this is the road that cars turn on to just before the main access road which heads towards the main entrance of the Etihad.
  • Philips Park, the river, the railway, canal and main roads remain.
  • Part of the Electricity works complex still survives, near the Velodrome. As does part of the gas works, north west of the Etihad.
  • Present day Alan Turing Way is a slightly modified Mill Street/Grey Mare Lane. Forge Lane is now within the car parking area, east of the stadium, but the Forge Lane bridge over the canal still exists between the Co-op Live arena and the car parks (to the east of Joe Mercer Way’s more modern bridge).

Move the arrows in the photo to compare maps.

Corinthians Radio & Events

There are a few events lined up where I’ll be talking about the Corinthians. These are free to attend (details below) and tonight (31 January) I’ll be on Lewis Connell’s sport show on Tameside Radio too. That’s on at 7pm (link below). Thanks to Lewis for the invite. He’s been a key supporter of the Corinthians project over the last few years.

https://www.notreallyheremedia.com/on-air/

The events planned are:

Wednesday 12 February 2pm at Tameside Library, Ashton under Lyne

Thursday 27 February (evening) at the West Yorkshire branch of the MCFC Supporters Club

Wednesday 5 March – 5.30pm (general) at Manchester Central Library

Watch this space for further details soon.

There will also be talks with schools and other groups soon. If you’d like me to talk at your library, group or school then please get in touch.

The book is now beginning to appear at bookshops. Amazon now say they have copies if you want to buy it from them. You can also buy copies direct from me.

The book consists of 356 pages. It is illustrated throughout and you can order it below for £25 (including UK postage and packaging).

If you live outside the UK then please contact for details of additional postage costs.

You do not need to have a PayPal account to order – use the ‘Pay with PayPal’ button above and it will give you the option to pay by credit/debit card without creating a PayPal account

UK ONLY – Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History

The story of a pioneering women’s club as told to Gary James by those who were there. This will be published in late December 2024. This is UK only at £25 (incl UK postage and packaging). Outside UK contact for additional postage costs.

£25.00

To get a feel for the Corinthians’ story and the book you can watch an 18 minute video put together by Imprint Films here:

https://www.imprintfilms.co.uk/oh-what-a-team

If you’ve issues watching the video there (youtube may ask you to sign in) you can also watch it here (click on the ‘Watch on Youtube’, bottom left if your link doesn’t work):

I’d like to say my heartfelt thanks to Manchester City for their help and for inviting the Corinthians. I’s also like to thank all at Imprint Films for doing the video. In the spirit of Percy Ashley himself, they have funded the production of this video themselves and have the desire to see the Corinthians story spread widely. This is, of course, something I totally believe in myself. We need to spread this story and let the entire world know about the Corinthians.

Please share the video and, while you’re at it, spread the news about the book too. Both are self funded and we need help to spread the word.

The Corinthians as Guests of MCFC

Today a small group of Manchester Corinthians have been welcomed as guests of Manchester City to their WSL game with Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium. It was a great gesture by the club and followed the staging of a reunion of the Corinthians held at the stadium last month.

The group included a 90 year old former player and others in their 70s and 80s. All of them inevitably appear in my book, Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History (see below for details). Some of them also feature in this wonderfully produced video, filmed at the Corinthians reunion last month. For details of the video and to watch it see:

https://www.imprintfilms.co.uk/oh-what-a-team

If you’ve issues watching the video there (youtube may ask you to sign in) you can also watch it here (click on the ‘Watch on Youtube’, bottom left if your link doesn’t work):

I’d like to say my heartfelt thanks to Manchester City for their help and for inviting the Corinthians. I’s also like to thank all at Imprint Films for doing the video. In the spirit of Percy Ashley himself, they have funded the production of this video themselves and have the desire to see the Corinthians story spread widely. This is, of course, something I totally believe in myself. We need to spread this story and let the entire world know about the Corinthians.

Please share the video and, while you’re at it, spread the news about the book too. Both are self funded and we need help to spread the word.

Over the coming weeks and months. I’ll be talking at some events about them. There will also be articles and, hopefully, further book reviews. I know a certain online retailer is suggesting it takes months to receive the book but if you do want to order it I can sign copies and get them sent out same day.

The book consists of 356 pages. It is illustrated throughout and you can order it below for £25 (including UK postage and packaging).

If you live outside the UK then please contact for details of additional postage costs.

You do not need to have a PayPal account to order – use the ‘Pay with PayPal’ button above and it will give you the option to pay by credit/debit card without creating a PayPal account.

UK ONLY – Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History

The story of a pioneering women’s club as told to Gary James by those who were there. This will be published in late December 2024. This is UK only at £25 (incl UK postage and packaging). Outside UK contact for additional postage costs.

£25.00

Manchester City 2 Sheffield United 0

Here’s film from this day (30 December) in 2023 of the World Champions defeating Sheffield United 2-0 in their first home game following their return to England. City had won the FIFA Club World Cup earlier in the month. City’s goals came from Rodri and Alvarez.

https://www.mancity.com/citytv/mens/sheffield-united-premier-league-home-extended-highlights-63839535

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The Excitement of Your First Game

At last night’s (23 October 2024) MCFC v Sparta Prague Champions League game a young boy and his mum were sat next to me. It was the lad’s first game and he was so excited before kick off. His enthusiasm was great to see and when the players started warming up near us he couldn’t believe it. It was a great reminder, in these days when social media and even some football commentary, talk of the negatives that football remains something to get excited about.

The first goal was enough for the boy next to me. Sure it was scored at the opposite end and he could hardly see it but he got so giddy. He’d seen a goal (note: where I sit at the back of North Stand Level 1 is one of the few places in the stadium where you cannot see any of the video scoreboards and so never get chance to see the repeats of the goal). It didn’t matter to him whether players are ‘overpaid’ or any of the other complaints that are thrown their way. Nor was the boy bothered about Premier League governance or rules that may or may not have been adapted to limit a club’s success. What the boy was bothered about was seeing Foden, Haaland, Stones & Co.

While some on social media and elsewhere were moaning about missed opportunities or whatever at half time the boy was still jumping up and down with excitement. He couldn’t wait to see his team attack the goal near him. Obviously, he loved every minute of that second half – but he’d loved every minute of the first too. That excitement is great to see and a wonderful reminder that football isn’t about boardroom activity or anything else, it’s about a game where teams try to score.

At one point I heard the boy’s mum suggest they should leave a little early to avoid the crowds but the little lad was adamant he wanted to stay. He was rewarded with the penalty and the anticipation of what that would bring. Again, it’s a nice reminder of how the excitement builds when you see a penalty live in the flesh for the first time.

At the final whistle I left but the boy was still there with his mum no doubt staying to watch every moment until the players disappeared.

How I wish we could all just watch and enjoy football for what it is. Some games/halves may appear dull to some but for others it’s the greatest spectacle they have seen. That boy will remember that game and how he felt for a very long time and, years after most of us have gone, he’ll be telling future generations of his first game; his first heroes; Haaland’s goals and more.

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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North Stand Expansion

Yesterday’s release of the plans for the newly extended North Stand looked excellent. There’s a long way to go before anyone can sit or stand in the new extension of course, but it does look like it’s going to boost almost every area of support: New rail seating, an emphasis on under 21s, hospitality, families… interesting times. Looking at the images released it looks as though the new 3,000 rail seats will be at the back of the 2nd tier. If that’s the case any noise generated up there should bounce down off the roof and encourage others to join in.

You can read what City said about it all here:

https://www.mancity.com/news/club/configuration-of-the-etihad-stadium-s-north-stand-expansion-revealed-63862951?utm_source=x&utm_medium=organic+social&utm_content=organic
New North Stand extension at MCFC as released on 26 September 2024
New North Stand extension at MCFC as released on 26 September 2024

This is what was released in 2023:

Proposed North Stand extension at the Etihad, announced 28 February 2023

This is the stand (left of image) as it looked in 2022 before the building work began):

Manchester city women v Manchester United women 2022 (then a record crowd for women’s football at the Etihad)

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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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Your contribution is appreciated.

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POSTPONED GAMES

The postponement of any game is rare. Obviously, the 2019-20 Covid hit season was different and in the days before undersoil heating icy conditions would often lead to postponements. However, Manchester City have suffered many postponements over the years. So for today’s feature I’m talking a look at some of them.

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More on the City-United 2009-10 postponed game here:

A Postponed Derby