Category Archives: Manchester City

Goal Crazy

On this day (7 May) in 1927 Manchester City went goal crazy and defeated Bradford City 8-0 in their bid for promotion from Division Two.  In the end the Blues missed promotion by the narrowest goal average margin ever.  City’s stood at 1.7705 while promoted Portsmouth’s was 1.7755.  Portsmouth had achieved the better goal average after a 5-1 defeat of Preston, in a game that kicked off fifteen minutes after City’s.  At both Maine Road and Fratton Park the fans celebrated with City not realising their failure until the directors were informed via ticker-tape of events on the south coast.  Portsmouth’s four goal hero, Willie Haines, left the Fratton Park pitch to celebratory chants of “Farmer’s Boy”.

Amazingly, Bradford’s ‘keeper Leonard Boot – playing the last of only 7 appearances for the club – was acclaimed man of the match after pulling off a string of fine saves.  The 8-0 defeat didn’t do Bradford much good as it relegated them to Division Three (North) for the first time.

The 1950s: FA Cup Final MCFC v Newcastle

Here’s film of the FA Cup final from this day (7 May) in 1955 when Manchester City were defeated by Newcastle 3-1 at Wembley. Bobby Johnstone was the City scorer. Enjoy: https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/59534/

This series on Manchester City in the 1950s includes free items and items only available to subscribers. If you’d like to find out more on the 1954-55 season then subscribe and read the following 3,400 word article on it. It’s a season when City reached the FA Cup final and Don Revie was FWA Footballer of the Year.

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The 1940s: Manchester City 2 Bradford (Park Avenue) 1

On this day (6 May) in 1944 the North Regional League (a wartime league) game between Manchester City victory and Bradford (Park Avenue) ended in a 2-1 City victory before 5,000 at Maine Road. The City scorers were Peter Doherty (photograph) and Billy Bootle. Together with Peter Doherty, notable players in the City team that day include: Frank Swift, Billy Walsh, Jack Bray, Les McDowall, Bert Sproston and Jimmy Heale.

This was the last game of the 1943-44 season for City.

You can read more on MCFC in the 1943-44 season below. The story of George Smith is included within this. George was the victim of friendly fire and his story is remarkable.

This is a subscriber article and you can read it by subscribing below.

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Manchester City Women to take part in World Sevens

  • Manchester City Women will compete in the inaugural World Sevens Football tournament in Portugal this month.
  • City are the latest top-flight team announced to take part, completing the line-up alongside FC Rosengard (Sweden), Paris Saint Germain (France), Roma (Italy), Benfica (Portugal), Bayern Munich (Germany), Manchester United (England) and Ajax (Netherlands).
  • The tournament will take place from May 21 to 23 at the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota in Estoril.

Manchester City Women will travel to Portugal this month to compete in the first-ever World Sevens Football (W7F) tournament.

Taking place at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra in Estoril, Portugal from 21 May to 23 May, City join seven other top-flight teams in the seven-a-side competition.

Beginning with a two-day group phase, a knockout stage and final will then determine the first-ever W7F champion on the third day of competition.

It means City could play up to five 30-minute games depending on progress, with the full line-up of eight teams confirmed as FC Rosengard, Paris Saint Germain, Roma, Ajax, Bayern Munich, Benfica and Manchester United.

Interim head coach Nick Cushing will lead a side made up from the first team playing squad, giving a blend of international experience and youth talent a chance to shine on a new stage.

Manchester City Women Director of Football, Therese Sjogran, said: “The tournament is an exciting new competition for the women’s game, and, as a Club that continually looks to blaze the trail, we are proud to be part of this milestone moment from the beginning.

“We look forward to bringing our players to Portugal.”

Adrian Jacob, Head of Football, W7F, added: “With these final four teams, we’ve assembled a line-up that reflects some of the very best of women’s football clubs renowned for their ambition, skill, and global fanbases.

“The W7F tournament will deliver a new kind of football: fast, fearless, and packed with world-class talent. Fans can expect every match to be a showcase of innovation and intensity. We can’t wait to see these teams light up Estoril and inspire the next generation of players and supporters.”

Kelley O’Hara, W7F Player Advisory Council member, continued: “It is so exciting to finally announce the final four teams joining our inaugural World Sevens Football tournament, kicking off in just a few short weeks.

“These top-tier clubs are setting the tone for what’s to come, and I can’t wait to see their players take the pitch for what promises to be really supercharged and competitive football. Having them on board is a huge statement and the best part is we’re just getting started!”

The 1940s: Tranmere Rovers 1 Manchester City 6

On this day (4 May) in 1940 the return match between Manchester City and Tranmere ended in a 6-1 City win away from home. This was a Western Regional League (a first team competition played during wartime) game. A restricted crowd of 2,500 watched goals from City’s Herd, Currier (4), and Doherty. Jim Currier was actually a Bolton Wanderers player (living in Manchester) guesting for City – he scored 94 goals in 113 wartime games for City! You can read more on this wartime season below. It’s a 1,400 word article on Manchester City’s 1939-40 season. The season started as any other but then world events intervened!

This is a subscriber article and you can read it by subscribing below.

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Photos From The Corinthians at United-City

A small group of Manchester Corinthians were invited to attend the WSL Manchester Derby today at Old Trafford. They were taken pitchside and also had seats in the Directors Box. Players from the 50s to 90s were there, such as Margaret Whitworth, who participated in major trophy winning successes for the club in Venezuela and France. Others, like Wendy Crossland, had been significant players during the club’s first league successes – back when the Corinthians became champions of the highest league available to them. Here are a few photos from the day, plus images of the match programme article:

You can discover more on the Corinthians’ history (the facts not the fiction!) in my new book. Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History. It is a must for anyone interested in Manchester or women’s football and consists of 356 pages.

It is illustrated throughout and you can order it now for £25 (including UK postage and packaging). I’ll sign all copies ordered direct from me below.

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

Some photos from when a group of Corinthians visited LFC’s Melwood a few days ago:

The Corinthians at United

If you’re attending the WSL Manchester Derby today at Old Trafford watch out for a few representatives of the Manchester Corinthians. United will be taking them pitchside for a few photographs nears the dugout about 10.50 so watch out for them and give them a cheer if you can. In addition, the match programme will contain a five page feature on the team, explaining their significance and experiences. This really is appreciated. Thanks United! Some photographs from the visit will appear here over the coming days.

If you’re wondering why the Corinthians are so important to football’s history watch this free 18 minute film (including interviews with some of those at United today) now. You won’t be disappointed:

You can discover more on the Corinthians’ history (the facts not the fiction!) in my new book. Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History. It is a must for anyone interested in Manchester or women’s football and consists of 356 pages.

It is illustrated throughout and you can order it now for £25 (including UK postage and packaging). I’ll sign all copies ordered direct from me below.

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

Some photos from when a group of Corinthians visited LFC’s Melwood a few days ago:

The 1990s: A Victory But Desperate Day for Manchester’s Blues

Today (3 May) in 1998 saw Manchester City thrash Stoke 5-2. You can see highlights below but this victory was actually a depressing day when, for the first and only time in their history, the Blues were relegated to the third tier of English football. Stoke were also relegated.

The City scorers were Shaun Goater (2; photographed), Lee Bradbury, Paul Dickov and Kevin Horlock. Highlights here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iGEMo2MSGE

You can find out more about this period by reading the following indepth article on the 1997-98 season. The article is almost 9,500 words long – there’s so much to say! Some people write entire football club histories that are shorter than that. It’s available to subscribers, so why not subscribe and relive this season and an extraordinary decade? As with all these 1990s subscriber features it contains material from interviews I’ve performed with key figures from that time.

Here’s the 9500 word article on that season:

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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (above) or £20 a year (here) to access everything posted since the site was created in December 2020. This special rate works out about £1.67 a week and gives access to everything posted, including PDFs of 3 of my books.

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This series of articles and features will run throughout March with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others. There will be flashbacks to great games, players and more. Every day in March will offer something to enjoy.

Subscribers will get access to everything, while some on this day material will be free for all to view.

If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? If you’d like to know more about subscribing then see:

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The 1990s: Oldham 2 Manchester City 5

On this day (2 May) in 1992 City secured their second consecutive 5th place finish with a 5-2 victory over Oldham at Boundary Park. You can see film of the game below. The City scorers were David White (3), 17 year old Adie Mike (his first goal in his 2nd game; image is of him celebrating the goal) and Mike Sheron. Former Blues Tony Henry and Paul Moulden scored the Oldham goals. The highlights are well worth watching:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf8LPt5L2wg

If you’d like to know more on the 1991-92 season when the Blues finished 5th for the second season running, have a read of this 2,100 word article on that season:

Subscribe to get access – Monthly

Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) to access everything posted since 1 October 2022 or there’s a special annual rate below which gives greater access and works out much cheaper.

Subscribe

Subscribe to get access – Annual

Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (above) or £20 a year (here) to access everything posted since the site was created in December 2020. This special rate works out about £1.67 a week and gives access to everything posted, including PDFs of 3 of my books.

Subscribe

This series of articles and features will run throughout March with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others. There will be flashbacks to great games, players and more. Every day in March will offer something to enjoy.

Subscribers will get access to everything, while some on this day material will be free for all to view.

If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? If you’d like to know more about subscribing then see:

How To Subscribe

A Million on the Streets of Manchester

On this day (May 1) in 1934 Manchester City, who had won the FA Cup for the second time in their history, took part in an incredible home coming parade. Over a million people were on the streets to welcome back the club. You can see film of that below:

That commentary is a bit cringeworthy but listen out for comment about a million people on the streets; the scenes certainly suggest there was too.

Deservedly Manchester took time out to celebrate and what seemed like the whole of Manchester lined the city’s streets.  The authoritative Pathe News claimed there were over a million on the streets.  The film company was not known for exaggeration and if that figure is accurate – and their footage suggests it is – then this remains the largest homecoming in Mancunian football history (It was claimed in 1999 that 700,000 people had welcomed Manchester United’s treble winning team through the streets).  

Various speeches were made into a microphone set up on the Town Hall steps (the BBC were broadcasting this live on radio), and the players and officials were given a civic reception. Mancunians enjoyed the success and wanted more.  

In Albert Square Mancunians sang their celebratory songs including “Who Said City Couldn’t Play” – the earliest known recording of a City specific song:

Who Said City Couldn’t Play,

City Couldn’t Play, City Couldn’t Play,

Who Said City Couldn’t Play,

City Couldn’t Play football?

You can hear a recording of the song and read more about it here:

Who Said City Couldn’t Play?

The 1933-4 League programme still had two games left for the Blues.  On 2nd May – the day after the parade – City suffered a 3-2 defeat at Liverpool, and then on 5th May City demolished Wolves 4-0 at Maine Road. Before the game City staff, assisted by a couple of police officers, carried the trophy around the ground on some kind of wooden board.  The fans were delighted.

During a week of FA Cup celebrations an illuminated bus journeyed around the city covered in City’s colours.  On the front above the bus number, ‘City 2 1’, was the Manchester coat of arms.  On the side the message ‘Welcome to the victors’ proudly illuminated next to a picture of the FA Cup and a drawing of Sam Cowan.  

You can see film of this illuminated ‘Victory Bus’, preserved by the North West Film Archive at Manchester Metropolitan University, here (the bus can be seen after 5 mins 38 seconds but other scenes connected with the homecoming can be viewed after about 3 minutes):

https://www.nwfa.mmu.ac.uk/viewVideo.php?token=2495agw5666w7h114804aP5nxZYm4638b49Hq2dw

This has been a taster of the material on this site. Subscribers have access to over 500 articles and posts, with many more scheduled over the coming weeks. Posted already for subscribers are exclusive audio interviews I have performed with Malcolm Allison, John Bond and George Graham (more to follow); the entire Manchester A Football History book (now out of print) and various other long read articles. It costs £20 a year (that’s about £1.67 a month) or £3 per month if you want to sign up a month at a time. Whichever subscription is taken out subscribers get full access to everything posted for as long as they are subscribers. You can subscriber here:

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