On 12 September 1925 Manchester City and Manchester United met in the first Manchester Derby to be played at Maine Road (United had been in the second tier for the first couple of seasons of Maine Road’s existence). Here’s the background, report and stats from that game (this is all from the book I wrote with Steve Cawley called The Pride of Manchester – the history of the Manchester Derby). Enjoy!
MANCHESTER CITY 1 (Cowan)
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 (Rennox)
Manchester City: Jim MITCHELL, Sam COOKSON, Philip McCLOY, Sammy SHARP, Sam COWAN, Charlie PRINGLE, Billy AUSTIN, John (known as Jack) WARNER, Frank ROBERTS, Tom JOHNSON, George HICKS. Manager: David Ashworth
Manchester United: Alf STEWARD, Charlie MOORE, Jack SILCOCK, Ray BENNION, Frank BARSON, Frank MANN, Joe SPENCE, Thomas SMITH, Jimmy HANSON, Clatworthy ’Clat’ RENNOX, Frank MCPHERSON. Manager: John Chapman
BACKGROUND
United had spent three seasons in the Second Division and returned as runners-up to Leicester City. Some of the old faithfuls remained, notably Silcock and Spence, but inevitably team strengthening and transitions had occurred, in particular, with the acquisition of club captain Frank Barson. Signed in 1922 for the huge sum of £5,000, United promised Barson a pub if they were promoted within three years – and he just made it! A former blacksmith, Barson was an attacking centre-half of international standard but also carried a notorious reputation as a traditional ‘hard man’ who was quick to exact retribution if a team-mate was fouled. Another useful signing was Frank McPherson, a man with reputedly the hardest shot in football. The Reds made a quite promising start to the new campaign and had looked impressive in a 3-0 home victory against Aston Villa.
City’s playing squad had changed considerably since the last derby, while manager Ernest Mangnall who had joined the Blues from United in September 1912 and played such a major role in the development of both clubs had left City in May 1924, and was replaced by David Ashworth. Meredith had also finally retired in 1924, bowing out in an FA Cup semi-final against Newcastle, although he retained a connection through his son-in-law Charlie Pringle who now played for the Blues. A number of fresh signings had been made; Frank Roberts for £3,400, Billy Austin for£2,000 and Philip McCloy for £3,000. City also had great hopes that Sam Cowan, a centre-half signed from Doncaster Rovers in December 1924 would develop into a quality player. City had moved to their magnificent purpose-built stadium at Maine Road in August 1923 and had established a provincial record crowd of 76,166 in the stadium’s first season. Now, with the derby imminent, its capacity was viewed at a possible 85,000!
BEFORE THE GAME
P W D L F A Pts
UNITED 4 1 1 2 5 4 3
CITY 3 1 0 2 3 4 2
MATCH VERDICT
The derby rivalry resumed in front of what was, at the time, City’s record League gate. City were deemed the better side in what was a rousing contest. Local born ‘keeper Alf Steward had an outstanding game keeping the lively City forwards at bay with a string of fine saves, before ’Clat’ Rennox then went down to the other end and gave the Reds the lead with a smart shot.
Sam Cowan capped a wonderful display by scoring the equaliser with a powerful far post header from a left wing corner (see photo). It was a fitting reward for Cowan, who besides being the man of the match, looked to be a player the Blues could build a future around.
“The Athletic News” reported on the resumption of the derby match after a four year break: ”The first meeting of the Manchester rivals after a lapse of four years brought the City club the largest League gate they have ever enjoyed. It was not so great as that recorded at the Cup-tie with Cardiff City in March 1924, when 76,166 spectators paid for admission, but over 62,000 people passed through the turnstiles, and, with ticket-holders, the attendance was officially returned at nearly 66,000. It was a magnificent spectacle and a game fought in a splendid spirit. That the City did not defeat their rivals was due primarily to the brilliant goal-keeping of Steward, a Manchester-born player, to whose rich promise the Athletic News referred last Monday.
It was fitting that on the only occasion he was beaten the success fell to Samuel Cowan, for these players were the outstanding figures in the contest. Cowan’s headwork was a feature of the match. More, he tackled with grim determination and effectiveness, and distributed the ball with discrimination and accuracy.
Cowan promises to be all that the City club expected when they brought him from Doncaster Rovers last season. He has all the physical requirements for a centre half-back, and, judging by his display in this match, he has the temperament for the big event. His equalising goal was a masterpiece in headwork and judgement”.
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