Category Archives: Seasons

2011 – What It Meant Historically

Manchester football historian Gary James assesses what City’s 2011 FA Cup success means from a historical perspective. This was written in April 2011 and is published here to provide consideration of how that point in history was viewed at the time. It has not been altered to reflect later views.

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Manchester City’s 1980-81 Season

On a day when there’s a controversial refereeing decision in a Manchester Derby here’s a reminder that today is the anniversary (14 January 1981) of a notorious refereeing error in a Manchester City Liverpool League Cup semi-final. You can read about that elsewhere on the site. the anniversary though has given me the impetus to post this 9,000+ word article on the 1980-81 season. This was a remarkable season and you can read it below:

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This 9,000+ article is for subscribers only. You can subscribe at £20 a year (above) or £3 per month (here). Annual subscribers access everything posted since December 2020 and monthly subscribers access everything since 1 October 2022.

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Barnes is Back!

On this day (13 January) in 1987 Peter Barnes re-signed for Manchester City from Manchester United and made his first appearance at home to Liverpool four days later.

You can still purchase copies of my acclaimed biography of Peter Barnes. Every copy bought direct from me will be signed by me. You can order here:

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The Story of Kaká to City!

On this day (13 January) in 2009 Garry Cook and others met with AC Milan supposedly about the possible purchase of goalkeeper Dida but in truth the Manchester City men wanted to talk about Kaká.  Here is the story of that day with exclusive quotes from interviews I have performed with some of those there.

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If you would like to read this 1200 word article and would like to support my research & writing then please subscribe. Annual subscribers (£20 per year, sign up here) get access to everything posted on the site including PDFs of 2 of my out of print books and archived content like my exclusive audio interviews with John Bond, Malcolm Allison etc. Not only that but you’ll be helping to support this site’s development.

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If you would like to read this 1200 word article and would like to support my research & writing then please subscribe. Monthly subscribers (£3 per month, cancel anytime and sign up here) get access to everything posted on the site since 1 October 2022. Not only that but you’ll be helping to support this site’s development.

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Denis Law and Rodney Marsh Both Score

On this day (12 January) in 1974 Denis Law and Rodney Marsh provided the goals as Manchester City defeated Leicester City 2-0 in a thrilling game at Maine Road.  

City were in blistering form for this game and absolutely tore in to Leicester. Only the brilliance of England ‘keeper Peter Shilton kept the score down as the report shows.

I was six years old and sat in the ‘old’ Platt Lane Stand with my dad that day. Were you also at this match? If you were why not leave your memory as a comment or email it to me for possible future use on this website?

Film of the game here:

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Read more of this website when you subscribe today. It works out about £1.67 a month if you take out an annual subscription (£20 per year) or £3 a month (access everything posted since 1 October 2022) if you’d like to sign up for a month at a time. Sign up for annual above and monthly here.

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Royle Goal

On this day (11 January) in 1977 Joe Royle ensured Manchester City progressed to face Newcastle United in the FA Cup by scoring the only goal of the Third Round replay at West Bromwich Albion.  The first game had ended in a 1-1 draw at Maine Road. You can read more about the 1976-77 season here:

Manchester City’s 1976-77 Season

Were you at this match? If you were why not leave your memory as a comment or email it to me for possible future use on this website?

John Gidman

On this day (10 January) in 1954 future Manchester United and Manchester City full-back John Gidman was born.  Gidman briefly became a cult hero at Maine Road by stating that City were the only side he would leave Old Trafford for at the time of his transfer in 1986. He went on to make 66 (plus 1 as substitute) appearances for the Blues.

Peter Barnes played a part in getting Gidman to Manchester City. The full story is in my biography of Peter which can be bought here:

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Do you have memories of John Gidman at City? If you do why not leave your memory as a comment or email it to me for possible future use on this website?

Game of the Season 1956-1957: Manchester City V Newcastle United

On this day (9 January) in 1957 Manchester City and Newcastle United met in a game that was described as the game of the season and also Newcastle’s ‘most thrilling encounter.’ What was the game and why did they say this? Well here for subscribers is the story of that day and film of it too. Enjoy:

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I wasn’t born then so couldn’t be at the game but were you at this match? If you were why not leave your memory as a comment or email it to me for possible future use on this website?

Wayne Clarke and David Oldfield

On this day (8 January) in 1990 forward Wayne Clarke was signed by Manchester City from Leicester City while David Oldfield travelled in the opposite direction as part of the deal. 

Whereas Oldfield had gained a place in City’s history as one of the goalscorers in City’s memorable 5-1 victory over Manchester United in September 1989, Clarke struggled to carve out a place in the side.  He left Maine Road for a variety of loan spells the following October after making only 7 (plus 14 as substitute) first team appearances.  

Do you have memories of either Oldfield or Clarke at City? If you do why not leave your memory as a comment or email it to me for possible future use on this website? Keep it respectable of course.

On This Day in 1977: The Peter Swales Video Profile

On this day (7 January) in 1977 the BBC in the northwest showed this incredible profile. On several occasions over the last decade myself & Will McTaggart have included this video profile of MCFC chairman Peter Swales in our Boys In Blue film show. Each time those who missed it have asked if they could see a video of it. That wasn’t possible until a few months ago. You can see the Swales profile here…

I would urge all MCFC fans and others to watch this in all its glory. Some of you may wish to jump to the David Brent-esque clip at 3 mins 20. Others may want to see the Ian Niven roof plan that was thwarted by signing Dave Watson at 1 min 45 secs. Then there’s the scene where Swales gives Watson financial advice (45 secs) and it ends with Swales telling us he was a bit like Kevin Keegan (4 mins).

This really is MCFC gold. Enjoy:

https://bbcrewind.co.uk/asset/6139d63a544c6f0021171865?q=Manchester%20city&size=75