Category Archives: Seasons

A Strange Situation

The 8th of October marks the anniversary of one of those ‘one game wonders’ who played for Manchester City. On this day in 1988 defender Bill Williams made his one and only appearance for City’s first team when he came on as substitute for Mark Seagraves in the Blues’ 1-0 defeat at Ipswich Town. He did make seven reserve appearances but that game at Ipswich was the only first team appearance.

It was a strange situation because City had signed him from Stockport where he had developed a good reputation in defence and as captain. Asa Hartford was the Stockport boss at the time and was sorry to see Williams leave but told the press that he couldn’t do much because of the glamour associated with City.

Williams returned to Stockport on 1 December and fans of both clubs seemed confused. At Edgeley Park County fans were delighted he’d returned but at Maine Road rumours circulated. City had sold him back to County for a discount price and had managed to get special dispensation off the League – back then a player could not be sold back to his original club within the same season.

There were rumours that Williams had a business (painting and decorating if my memory is correct – anyone remember?) and that by joining City he needed to spend more time training etc. than at County and that, ultimately, that meant he couldn’t earn as much at Maine Road as he had while working for himself and playing at Stockport. I’m not certain if that is true but that’s the rumour that circulated.

Whatever the situation, City lost money on the deal and Williams became a one hit wonder for the Blues.

How To Subscribe

Rare Victoria Ground Image

Former Manchester City player Jimmy Broad, whose dad was a popular City coach for decades, scores for Stoke against City on this day (7 October) in 1922. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. The goalkeeper is Mitchell and the City scorer was the great Tommy Johnson. The game took place at the Victoria ground before about 20,000.

How To Subscribe

COMPETITION WINNER: From Maine Road To The Etihad 100 Years Book

The winner of a copy of the new book on Maine Road and the Etihad has been drawn. It is Steve Doohan. Congratulations Steve. The publisher, Reach, will be posting it out soon.

The question was: Who was the architect of Maine Road when it was first built in 1923?

The answer was Charles Swain. We had dozens of correct answers so we’ll done to Steve.

As for the book…

I’m delighted to say I’m one of the co-authors on the new book which focuses on Maine Road and the Etihad stadia (the two most recent permanent homes of Manchester City).

I’ve contributed the Introduction, the story of Maine Road’s first game and the 100 Maine Memories of Maine Road. I tried to make sure the 100 Maine Memories cover both the great and the unusual so, inevitably, Colin Bell is featured but so is the wonky North Stand scoreboard! If you attended Maine Road it will all make sense and if you didn’t it’ll give you a great feel for what life was like at the old place.

Please enter the competition and good luck with it.

While you’re here, why not subscribe to the website and unlock all the articles on here? See:

How To Subscribe

Manchester City Ship

Today (5 October) in 1937 the Manchester City team visited the ship that had been named after them, following their title success earlier in the year. You can see more about this Scottish built ship here:

https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?ref=2540

Tommy Booth Move

On this day (4 October) in 1981 Longserving Manchester City defender Tommy Booth moved to Preston North End. Tommy had made his City debut against Huddersfield Town (a) on 2 September 1968 in the League Cup with his League debut coming against Arsenal (h) on 9 October 1968. Joe Mercer once described the former Middleton Boys player as the ‘best footballing centre-half since Stan Cullis’ and Joe would know.

The image is of Tommy Booth scoring V Gornik in Copenhagen in 1971.

Newcastle Thrashed

Manchester City defeated Newcastle United 6-1 eight years ago today (3 October 2015). It was a day when Sergio Aguero scored five and I remember being disappointed that he was substituted off – no City player has ever scored more than five in a competitive game that wasn’t abandoned! I had hoped that Sergio would become the first man to score six for the Blues (Yes, I know Denis Law scored 6 in a game but that was abandoned and wiped from the records). Anyone remember who scored the other City goal? See below for the answer.

You can see highlights of the Newcastle game here:

https://www.mancity.com/citytv/match-highlights/2015/october/city-v-newcastle-united-extended-highlights

The other City scorer that day was Kevin De Bruyne.

City Directors Crash

After watching Manchester City reserves defeat Sheffield United reserves 2-0 on this day (2 October) in 1937 two City directors were involved in a crash. Lawrence Furniss and William Shaw were in a car that collided with a bus as it left Maine Road.

6-3 Manchester Derby

It was a highly memorable day for Manchester City fans as Pep Guardiola’s Blues defeated Manchester United 6-3 before 53,475 on this day (2 October) in 2022. You can watch highlights here:

https://www.mancity.com/citytv/mens/manchester-city-united-premier-league-extended-highlights-63800321

The City scorers were Phil Foden (3) and Erling Haaland (3). What a great day to be a Blue!

City 2 Zagreb 0

On this day (1 October) in 2019 Manchester City defeated Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 in the Champions League group stage at the Etihad. Highlights here:

https://www.mancity.com/citytv/match-highlights/2019/october/man-city-v-dinamo-zagreb-champions-league-extended-highlights

The City scorers were Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden.

COMPETITION ENDS TONIGHT: From Maine Road To The Etihad 100 Years Book

Fancy winning a copy of the new book on Maine Road and the Etihad? The publisher, Reach, has offered to post out a copy of the book to the winner of a competition (Sadly, only UK postal addresses will be allowed). See below for details of how to enter…

The competition ends tonight (Sunday 1st October) at 9pm UK time and only one entry per person will be allowed. To enter simply send the answer to the following question, along with your name and location (not your address, just your nearest town/post town), via email to: comp@GJFootballArchive.com

The question is: Who was the architect of Maine Road when it was first built in 1923?

The answer does appear on my website in a variety of locations, so go search for it if you don’t know and then enter the competition. The winner will be selected at random from all the correct entries received on Monday 2nd October and will be informed later that day.

As for the book…

I’m delighted to say I’m one of the co-authors on the new book which focuses on Maine Road and the Etihad stadia (the two most recent permanent homes of Manchester City).

I’ve contributed the Introduction, the story of Maine Road’s first game and the 100 Maine Memories of Maine Road. I tried to make sure the 100 Maine Memories cover both the great and the unusual so, inevitably, Colin Bell is featured but so is the wonky North Stand scoreboard! If you attended Maine Road it will all make sense and if you didn’t it’ll give you a great feel for what life was like at the old place.

Please enter the competition and good luck with it.

While you’re here, why not subscribe to the website and unlock all the articles on here? See:

How To Subscribe