On 26 May 1964 Mancunian Mike Doyle signed professional forms for Manchester City. He embodied a spirit and determination as a player that brought great success and the loyal support of City fans. He was a vital member of two successful periods at Maine Road, and had managed to bridge the gap between Mercer and Allison’s great team of the late 60s and Book’s mid-70s entertainers. In fact he was also there for the miserable period that predated Mercer’s arrival!
Doyle joined the City groundstaff in May 1962 and made his debut in the 2-2 draw at Cardiff on 12 March 1965 and appeared in 6 games during the latter end of a traumatic season. That summer Mercer & Allison arrived and transformed the Blues with Doyle playing a leading role in every City triumph of the period. In fact, until recent years he shared the distinction with Tommy Booth of appearing in more finals than any other City player. He appeared in ECWC, FA Cup and 3 League Cup finals but also played his part in the League title success in 1968 and Second Division title in 1966. He even captained City to their 1976 League Cup triumph and scored in the 1970 victory.
Ever the determined player City fans loved his fighting spirit and never say die attitude. Significantly, in an era of major talent and success, Doyle was voted City’s player of the year twice (1971 & 1974). After making five appearances for England and over 550 competitive first team appearances for the Blues he moved to Stoke in 1978, where he was voted their player of the year in 1979, and later had spells at Bolton and Rochdale.
Mike Doyle was a tremendous City player who played in a determined manner. He won many admirers with his total dedication to the Blue cause. He died on 27 June 2011.
On this day (25 May) in 1971 defender Howard White signed professional forms for Manchester City. White had a very unlucky career at Maine Road. He had alread made his debut on 24 April 1971 in a controversial League game with Liverpool.
Basically, Liverpool were enjoying a busy, competitive season and decided to rest several key players. This was against League rules and as City had also fielded a side that seemed to be relatively inexperienced, the League investigated.
The game ended 2-2 and the League eventually fined Liverpool for fielding a weakened side, but judged that City had managed to field their strongest side considering injuries etc. For White the game was a low point as he suffered a broken ankle shortly before half time and was never again able to make a first team appearance.
Good luck to all those interested in, attending and watching the second all-Manchester FA Cup final today. Let’s make sure it’s another that makes the world see the quality of Manchester’s football and fans.
Tomorrow will see Manchester City and Manchester United face each other in the second All-Manchester FA Cup final. This promises to be another dramatic day in the history of Manchester football (we are so blessed being able to see days like these).
Obviously, the game could go either way and I don’t want to make predictions as derby days are often difficult to predict. I well remember arriving at Maine Road in September 1989 when Alex Ferguson’s United were most expensive squad ever assembled in British football at the time. That day City fans feared the worst and by full-time the Blues had defeated the Reds 5-1 with chants of Fergie Out coming from the fans left in the away section of the Platt Lane Stand. Who would have thought that night that he would keep his job and bring so much success to the Reds?
Whatever happens enjoy the day and game. Clearly, if United win then that will help their development and if City win then that will mean four major trophies have been won this season – the other three are of course the Premier League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. Not bad hey? Add to that the FA Youth Cup and it’s been another great season.
On this day (23 May) in 1947 Roy Clarke signed for Manchester City. His debut came on 14 June when the Blues defeat Newport 5-1. Until the Covid affected seasons, this was the latest finish to a season for the Blues. It had been delayed due to poor weather causing postponements.
Years ago I wrote the Manchester City Hall of Fame book and as part of that I featured Roy. The game selected for his ‘most significant’ was the 1955 FA Cup semi final and subscribers can read that below.
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I’ve left it a few days to let it all sink in but ‘wow!’ What an achievement for Manchester City! Never in the near 140 years of League football has any club achieved such a remarkable feat of four successive titles. This record, like the domestic treble, will last for an eternity with future generations aware of how brilliant these players and this manager was.
So for today’s piece I thought I’d look back at the successive titles record and see how that has developed. This demonstrates what a truly remarkable achievement this has been, but it also adds to the debate about whether teams have dominated particular eras or not. We’re often told that City’s era of dominance is new and no team has ever done this before – well no team has ever won 4 consecutive titles that’s for certain – but we’re also told that other clubs, Liverpool, Arsenal and United for example, have had greater periods of dominance (though that’s acceptable and City’s is not – that’s odd in itself!). It seems your view depends on which team you support. For neutrals and those prepared to explore the facts, the following can help with all of this assessment.
Record 2 in a row progression
Preston won the first two League titles in 1888-89 and 1889-90 (and were runners up in the three seasons that followed).
Sunderland equalled the record in 1891-92 and 1892-93 (and were runners up in 1893-94 6 points behind Villa) before winning it again in 1894-95
Aston Villa matched the 2-in-a-row twice in 1895-96 & 1896-97 and 1898-99 & 1899-1900. They actually won 5 out of 7.
Wednesday were next winning 2-in-a-row 1902-03 & 1903-04 (pipping FA Cup winners City to the title).
Liverpool were next with successes in 1921-22 & 1922-23
After Liverpool’s 2-in-a-row came a new record:
Record 3 in a row progression
Huddersfield Town were the first to win three successive title. Their successes came between 1923 and 1926 BUT they also were runners-up in 1926-27 & 1927-28 (missing it by 2 points).
Arsenal achieved the feat of 3-in-a-row between 1932 and 1935. The gunners had won the title in 1931 and were runners up in 1932 (missing it by only 2 points – 1 win), so came close to five.
Liverpool matched the 3-in-row between 1981 and 1984 but they’d come close to 5-in-a-row between 1975 and 1980 when they won the League in 1976, 1977, 1979 and 1980 and were second in 1978. In total Liverpool won 7 out of 9 between 1975 and 1983 (8 out of 11 too).
Manchester United were the next to achieve 3-in-a-row between 1998 and 2001. They had also won 7 out of 9 (1992 to 2001) and 8 out of 11. The years they managed 7 out of 9 saw them finish as runners up in the other two seasons, missing it by only 1 point in both 1994-95 and 1997-98. Rightly, this was heralded as a remarkable achievement.
Manchester United matched their own 3-in-a-row with another between 2006 and 2009. They also finished as either champions or runners up in the following four seasons. This meant that between 1992 and 2009 United had won 11 out of 17 titles and finished second in a further three.
Record 4 in a row setting
Manchester City are the only team to win 4-in-a-row English League titles. This remarkable feat has been achieved with title successes in 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24. City also won consecutive League titles in 2018 and 2019 and were runners up in 2020. This means City have won 6 out of 7 Premier Leagues.
There have been a lot of people out there claiming that this year’s League title was a ‘foregone conclusion’ and that it was ‘boring’. As I pointed out last week that all depends on whether things become boring once your own team are unable to challenge, but for many neutrals it’s about title races going to the final day or ones that are close.
Did you know that only 10 of the Premier League’s 32 seasons have finished with 3 points or less separating the top two teams? In exactly 50% of those seasons Manchester City were the champions – more than any other club! Also, if you’re the kind of person who believes City are the ‘only’ team to challenge and that it’s a foregone conclusion then it may surprise you to learn that 62.5% of ALL City’s Premier League titles have been won by 2 points or less! That’s not even a victory – how close do you want it? How much less of a foregone conclusion works for you?
As a comparison only 15% of Manchester United’s Premier League titles have been won by 3 points or less! I know Liverpool have only won one title since the Premier League was created (yes, and many, many more before that of course!) which means that 100% of LFC’s Premier Leagues have been won by 18 points (that was a foregone conclusion and boring if we believe that the earlier the competition is won the more boring it is!).
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Well, the Premier League is now over for another year and we know who the Champions (4-in-a-row) are and who has qualified for Europe etc. so it’s time to look forward to the second all Manchester FA Cup final. The first was of course last season and started off wonderfully for Manchester’s Blues with that record-making Gundogan opener.
Prior to this last year’s final, the closest Manchester City and Manchester United got to playing each other in a Wembley FA Cup final were the FA Cup semi finals in 1926 and 2011. I wasn’t around in 1926 but I definitely was in 2011! A few years back I made this special audio recording talking about the years building up to the semi and the day itself from a Manchester City perspective. Many of you have listened to this already but if you haven’t then it tells the story of the 2011 FA Cup semi final and the years between 1976 and that moment in 2011 for City.
I included audio from interviews I did with a variety of people including Khaldoon, Peter Swales, Garry Cook, Brain Marwood and many others.
If you have heard it before then maybe you should listen again to remind yourself of how we all felt and why that game was so significant.
I included a few words from Roberto Mancini recorded in 2011 and at one point he talks about the view that was then being expressed that City were ‘trying’ to buy success (now they say City ‘have’ bought success!). His words are a reminder that City have been having that particular criticism thrown at them for over a decade! Oh well, I wonder how long those criticisms were laid at other clubs who had seen major investment which propelled them forward?
Anyway, get yourself a brew and be prepared to be transported back in time. Here’s the recording:
If you enjoy the recording then please let me know, comment or subscribe to the site. If you don’t fancy doing that then there’s also the option to make a welcome donation to keep this site going (see below). I’ve produced videos/talks like this highlighting key points in Manchester City’s footballing history which subscribers can watch too.
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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On 19 May 1937 League Champions Manchester City became the first English side to play in the Berlin Olympic stadium. A German national side beat “England’s greatest players” 3-2 in a propaganda led game. The Blues had a morale victory when they refused to perform the Nazi salute.
Subscribers can read more on this below.
I am not going to pretend that English football teams making tours of Continental countries do not have a very pleasant time, but at the same time these tours are not picnics. You are there to play serious football, and you have to go about it in the ordinary businesslike way.” Sam Barkas, City Captain, 27th May 1937
As Sam Barkas hinted, sometimes end of season football tours are not the fun experience a lot of fans think. Sometimes the tour takes on a whole different meaning. This is certainly true for the May 1937 tour to Germany.
The Blues, as Champions of England, were invited to play a series of high profile matches across Germany and its neighbouring States. Although this was a major honour for City it has to be stressed that the whole concept of the tour, as far as Germany’s Nazi rulers were concerned, was to promote Germany’s sporting prowess against the best England could offer.
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On this day (17 May) in 2023 Manchester City defeated Real Madrid 4-0 (5-1 on aggregate) in the UEFA Champions League semi final. It was one of the most incredible games of football I have ever seen. For me, it was City’s best European performance at the Etihad and, from what I can remember, no European game at Maine Roadbettered it (older Blues may talk about the ECWC semi in 1970 – I was only a baby – but surely the Madrid victory bettered that too?). I’d go further and say that in terms of overall performance, atmosphere and style, considering who City were playing, that that was the greatest City game of all time – yes, that is debatable I know!
Pre match MCFC V Real Madrid waiting for the team
Obviously, we had the high drama of Agueroooooooo in 2012 but most of that game had been a frustrating mess of a match. The Madrid game was brilliant, breathtaking and wonderful from the moment it started through to leaving the stadium many, many minutes after the final whistle. The game was incredible – I don’t normally do superlatives so when I do I genuinely mean it.
There’s a certain amount of ‘completing the circle’ in City’s European journey – Alan Oakes captained City’s first European Cup game against Istanbul’s Fenerbahce in 1968, so the entire continental journey started there and in 2023 the Blues won the CL final in that city. It also felt appropriate that the man we’ve been singing about when we’ve sung our going to Istanbul chant these last few years was the man who scored twice against Real Madrid. Ber-nar-do!
Players pre match MCFC V Real Madrid
I know City had been to a Champions League final before but last year was significantly different. City have suffered at the hands of English clubs Liverpool, Spurs and Chelsea over the years in Europe and it never quite felt right. Playing continental royalty like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich and then Inter Milan took it to a different level. As did the final of course!
2023 Champions League Final Istanbul v Inter Milan
Many Blues had waited a long time for European glory. I was a toddler when City had previously won a major European trophy and I always dreamed of seeing City match or eclipse what Mercer’s men did in 1970. From Marsh’s debut to Pleat’s jig; ‘Look at his face’ to Tueart’s overhead; Beating AC Milan to Hutchison’s own goal; FA Youth Cup winners to Ball’s ‘hold the ball in the corner’; Bournemouth 3-3 to Morley’s Bradford goal; Reeves’ wonderful FAC goal to York away; 5-1 to 6-1; Bananas at Stoke to relegation at Stoke; FMC Final to Dickov’s rescue; Swales Out to Thaksin’s Albert Square singing; Kippax Last Stand to Etihad’s safe standing; Foe’s last goal at Maine Road to Aguerooooooooooo; Pearce’s good luck beanie to Bernardo’s cup; the invisible man to Emptyhad; James up front to Walker in nets… it had been a long time coming!
The young Gary
So this CL semi final thrashing of Real Madrid was so important and led to a wonderful final in Istanbul (let’s not mention the post match issues today!).
Rival fans may not agree unless they’ve experienced it themselves but multiple relegations are character building and make moments like Real Madrid, the the final, even more incredible. You don’t need to experience a relegation to enjoy success, but if you’ve suffered relegations (I’ve been through five) and those dismal, dismal days then reaching points like 2023 are heightened.
Final moments MCFC V Real Madrid 2023
In 2023 there were the usual negative voices about money. Show me a truly successful club who hasn’t spent! Not only that but City beat Bayern and Real in 2023’s European campaign (plus in the PL the usual collection of clubs that had been spending big for decades)… hardly poor relations. Hardly clubs with no history of success. These are European giants. Real Madrid have won more Champions League/European Cups than all English clubs put together. They are European aristocracy. Beating them – and the entire campaign – was a massive achievement for City, overcoming major obstacles and competing in a Premier League that in the previous 12 years or so had seen more of the top clubs challenge and tighter points totals between 1st and 2nd than in previous decades.
Malcolm Allison once said to me: ‘Celebrate every success as if it’s your first, because it could be your last.’ As a man who had been to the top and helped City win a European trophy I guess we should always remember his words. 2023 was a year like no other and it should always be celebrated.
After the whistle. 2023 Champions League Final Istanbul v Inter Milan Champions League Porto 2021Champions League trophy at Istanbul 2023
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