On this day (27 March) in 1926 the first all-Manchester FA Cup semi final occurred. You can see film of that game here and subscribers can read about the match below. Here’s the film from Bramall Lane:
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Here’s film of the FA Cup semi final from this day (26 March) in 1955 when Manchester City defeated Sunderland 1-0 at Villa Park. Roy Clarke was the City scorer. Enjoy: https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/59403/
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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It was one of those crazy Manchester City days in the 1980s (and you can see film of it below!) when City travelled to Walsall for a League game on this day (25 March) in 1989. That day every one attending the match had real value for money when Nigel Gleghorn replaced the injured Andy Dibble in goal. City were 2-0 down when Dibble collapsed in agony with a groin problem. Gleghorn put on the green shirt and helped the Blues to fight back with David Oldfield – the fifth most expensive City player up until that point at £600,000 – scoring his first goal for the club. Paul ‘Golden’ Moulden equalised and then, early in the second half, he scored again to bring a 3-2 lead. Gleghorn made a couple of good saves and even kicked superbly to keep the pressure off City but then a ridiculous out of character back pass from Oldfield gave Walsall opportunity to score, and the game ended 3-3.
The substitute ‘keeper was certainly the man of the match, winning applause from both sets of supporters after being stand-in for around an hour. You can see highlights here (wonderful commentary from the Walsall video commentator too). City had the away section behind the goal on the right and the covered paddock opposite (right). I was stood in the paddock behind the row of stanchions. Notice the bananas too:
Subscribers can read a series of articles covering the 1980s – a seasonal journey through a truly important decade in the history of Manchester City Football Club. The 1988-89 article is a 4,100 word feature below. Enjoy!
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On this day (24 March) in 1951 Manchester City defeated Leeds United 4-1 with goals from Johnny Hart (image is of Johnny, but not from that game), Jimmy Meadows, George Smith and Dennis Westcott. The attendance was 35,149.
If you’d like to read more on this season, then her’es a 1,500 word article on the 1950-51 season. Enjoy!
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On this day (23 March) in 1968 came a game between two title challenging teams – Leeds Utd and Manchester City. The view was that this game could knock City out of the title race if it went Leeds’ way. So what happened? Here’s film of the game:
You can find out more aboutthe potential impact of this game by reading this subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1967-68 season. If you’d like to read this 7,600 word article (yes, 7,600 words on one season!), plus all other articles on the site, then please subscribe (see below). As with most of the other features in this series it includes words from interviews I have performed with those who were there.
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Today (22 March) in 1958 Manchester City pulled off a surprise draw at eventual champions Wolves. The odds had been against City getting a point with the football world of the time assuming Champions-elect Wolves would easily defeat City. Amazingly, City took the lead after a mere 14 seconds. Here’s a description of the goal (it was an own goal! Is this the earliest own goal ever?):
Here’s the rest of the match report:
To find out more on this period in football then why not read my series on Manchester City in the 1950s. Here’s a 2,200 word article on the 1957-58 season. Enjoy!
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After a glittering career with Preston, Everton and Liverpool, striker David Johnson joined Manchester City on this day (21 March) in 1984. Johnson scored on his City debut – an 83rd minute equaliser v Cardiff in a game the Blues went on to win 2-1 (Image is of that goal). Unfortunately, despite a reputation as a lethal striker – and hard evidence of achievement – Johnson’s time at Maine Road was not particularly successful. After one goal in four (plus two as substitute) games Johnson moved to play soccer in North America in May 1984.
Johnson died in November 2022 and the following piece was written by Samuel Meade and published in the Mirror:
You can read an article on the entire 1983-84 season if you subscribe (see below):
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On 3 March this year (2025) the former Manchester City centre-half John McTavish died at the age of 93. Here’s a brief profile of him to give some background on the player.
Height: 5’10.5″ Weight: 11st.7lbs.
Born in Glasgow on 2 February 1932
John joined Manchester City on 12 June 1952 at the age of twenty after spells with Bathgate Thistle and Dalry Thistle in Scotland. Known as a solid and reliable player John was given his first team debut at Middlesbrough on 21 November 1953. For that game he played as City’s right half, allowing Don Revie to move into the forward line. John retained his place pretty well throughout the rest of the season.
The following season saw the introduction of the “Revie Plan”, with John part of the initial team, away at Preston. Unfortunately, City were defeated 5-0 and John was dropped for the next game in favour of Ken Barnes. Barnes was viewed by players of the period as the main reason the plan had succeeded in the reserves, and so his selection helped transform the club’s fortunes that season. It was a shame for John, who then found opportunities became limited.
John became regarded as a reserve player, before he was transferred to St Mirren in November 1960 as part of a deal that saw Gerry Baker arriving at Maine Road. He stayed at St Mirren for five years (91 League games, 2 goals) before spending six months with Stranraer.
Away from football John found a new career as a manufacturer’s agent in children’s fashion.
City appearances: FL:93 apps & FAC: 3 apps. Total 96 apps.
City Reserve appearances: 196 apps. 5 goals.
Other City appearances: 26+1 apps. 1 goal.
You can read more on John’s debut season of 1953-54 below. This 1,700 word article on the 1953-54 season is a subscriber article and you can read it by subscribing below.
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Here’s film of Denis Law making his debut on this day (19 March) in 1960 at Elland Road against Leeds. He was, of course, making his first appearance for Manchester City following his transfer from Huddersfield Town. Notice the photographers lining up to catch him. This was an uncommon sight at football back then and demonstrates how significant Law’s transfer was at the time.
You can read more about Law elsewhere on this site. There’s also a series of articles already posted on the 1950s and 1960s for Manchester City. Why not start with the following subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1959-60 season? If you’d like to read this 1200 word article, plus all other articles on the site, then please subscribe (see below).
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The series of features on the 1950s continues with this subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1959-60 season. If you’d like to read this 1200 word article, plus all other articles on the site, then please subscribe (see below).
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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) or sign up for a year at the discounted price of £20 per year (works out £1.67 per month). Subscribers access the 1000+ articles posted so far and the others scheduled during the life of your subscription.
Gary James' Football Archive 