Restored 2011: The All-Manchester FA Cup Semi Final

The closest Manchester City and Manchester United have got to playing each other in a Wembley FA Cup final were FA Cup semi finals in 1926 and 2011. I wasn’t around in 1926 but I definitely was in 2011. So a couple of years ago I made this special audio recording talking about the years building up to the semi and the day itself.

Restored 2011: The All-Manchester FA Cup Semi Final is a special 1 hour audio recording looks at the game and the years between the 1976 League Cup success and the FA Cup glory of 2011. The 2011 semi-final was a crucial step in City’s journey since the 2008 takeover and I felt it was vital to do a special marking this.

So what’s in this special recording? Well, I’ve included exclusive material from interviews and recordings I’ve done over the years with Garry Cook, Brian Marwood, Roberto Mancini, Peter Barnes and Peter Swales.  Why Swales? Well, have a listen and you’ll hear why. Basically though I’m trying to set the tone for why the 2011 FA Cup semi final victory and overcoming Manchester United was so significant.

On Mancini… I include a few words from him 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. I’ve produced videos/talks like this highlighting key points in Manchester City’s footballing history which subscribers can watch. 

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Match Stats for the 2011 FA Cup Semi-final

City 1-0 United (HT 0-0)

Yaya Toure 52

City: 25 Hart 04 Kompany (yellow card), 05 Zabaleta (yellow card), 13 Kolarov, 19 Lescott, 11 Johnson (Wright-Phillips 79), 18 Barry, 21 Silva (Vieira 86), 34 De Jong (yellow card), 42 Y Toure, 45 Balotelli (yellow card). Substitutes 12 Taylor, 38 Boyata, 07 Milner, 08 Wright-Phillips, 24 Vieira, 10 Dzeko, 27 Jo

United: 01 Van der Sar, 03 Evra, 05 Ferdinand, 15 Vidic, 22 O’Shea (Fabio Da Silva 84), 13 Park Ji-Sung, 16 Carrick, 17 Nani, 18 Scholes (red card), 25 Valencia (Hernandez 65), 09 Berbatov (Anderson 74). Substitutes 29 Kuszczak, 12 Smalling, 20 Fabio Da Silva, 08 Anderson, 28 Gibson, 07 Owen, 14 Hernandez

Referee: Dean

Attendance: 86,549

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The Faroe’s First

On this day (24 April) in 2010 Gunnar Nielsen became the first Faroe Islander to play in the Premier League. The goalkeeper came on for the injured Shay Given in the 76th minute and kept a clean sheet as City drew 0-0 at Arsenal, watched by a crowd of 60,086.

You can watch highlights here:

https://www.mancity.com/citytv/match-highlights/2010/april/arsenal-away-full-highlights

White Hot

On this day (23 April) in 1991 a marvellous 5-1 win at Villa Park for Manchester City saw David White become the first City player since the war to score four in an away game. You can watch highlights here:

David White outpacing Comyn & McGrath for his second goal v Aston Villa, 23/4/1991

Manchester’s First National Success

On Saturday April 22 1899 the football season ended with Manchester City as comfortable champtions of the Second Division. They were the first side nationally to gain automatic promotion (a series of test matches, similar to play offs, had been utilised in previous seasons) and the first of the Manchester teams ever to earn promotion and win a national League competition. 

Subscribers can read about the final game and other information from that season below:

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Remembering 2011

In the build up to the FA Cup semi final this weekend why not have a listen to my special 1 hour audio recording commemorating an earlier important FA Cup semi final?

This audio recording was made to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Manchester City’s FA Cup semi final victory over Manchester United at Wembley (April 16 2011). It looks at the years between the 1976 League Cup success and the FA Cup glory of 2011. The 2011 semi-final was a crucial step in City’s journey since the 2008 takeover and I felt it was vital to do a special marking this.

So what’s in this special recording? Well, I’ve included exclusive material from interviews and recordings I’ve done over the years with Garry Cook, Brian Marwood, Roberto Mancini, Peter Barnes and Peter Swales.  Why Swales? Well, have a listen and you’ll hear why. Basically though I’m trying to set the tone for why the 2011 FA Cup semi final victory was so significant.

On Mancini… I include a few words from him 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 well over a decade!

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. Subscribers get access to videos of talks I’ve done highlighting key points in Manchester City’s footballing history. It costs £20 a year to subscribe (it works out £1.67 a month) or £3 if you’d like to sign up a month at a time to get full access for as long as you subscribe (you can always try it for a month). It’s worth bearing in mind that the 2010 Manchester A Football History cost £24.95 and that, together with my first book published in 1989 are free to download for all annual subscribers. You can subscribe below. If you don’t fancy subscribing but do want to support this site, my research or have enjoyed the audio recording then why not donate? See below. Thanks.

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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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Most League Wins In A Season

On this day (21 April) in 2002 Manchester City defeated Portsmouth 3-1 to record their 31st League win of the season. At the time this was a new record for the club and also marked the 19th home League win of the season (which equalled the record established in 1920-21).

Since 2002 the most wins record has been beaten and it currently stands at 32 which was achieved both in 2017–18 and 2018–19. This is a national record too and was achieved in a 38 game League season. A remarkable achievement.

Subscribers can read more on the City-Portsmouth game of 2002 below:

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Niall Quinn Wears The Gloves

Today (20 April) in 1991 Niall Quinn scored and went into the nets. It was a remarkable game and day and you can read all about it here:

City 2 Derby County 1

Football League Division One

20 April 1991

Goalscorers: White, Quinn

City Team: Coton, Hill, Pointon, Heath, Hendry, Redmond, White, Brennan, Quinn, Harper, Ward (Reid)

Attendance 24,037

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40 Years Ago: Warnock Managerial Trophy Success At Maine Rd

On this day (19 April) in 1983 Neil Warnock managed Burton Albion to Northern Premier League’s Challenge Cup success at Maine Road. His team defeated Macclesfield Town 2-1 before 2,538 in the final at neutral Maine Rd.

Manchester City 2 Newcastle Utd 0

Fifty years ago today (18 April 1973) City defeated Newcastle 2-0 with goals from Tommy Booth (a header) and a brilliant effort from Rodney Marsh (in 69th minute). City’s boss at the time was Johnny Hart. You can read his frank views (from an interview I did with him several years ago) here:

The 2000s: This Week 2000-01

Continuing the new weekly series on Manchester City’s seasons from 1999-2000 through to 2008-09. Each week I’ll be publishing here the story of a different season of that remarkable ten-year period. Today it’s an article on 2000-01 (below) which became a season of struggle.

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