Category Archives: Seasons

The 1950s: McTavish Debut

On this day (21 November) in 1953 John McTavish made his Manchester City debut at Middlesbrough. The game ended in a 1-0 City win (an own goal). For this game John 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.  

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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The 1960s: Watch This Penalty from Plymouth v Manchester City!

On this day (21 November) in 1964 Manchester City travelled away to Plymouth Argyle. The Blues lost 3-2 but you really need to take a look at this penalty captured on film that day. Malcolm Allison (seen here at my Joe Mercer book launch in 1993) was the Plymouth manager back then, so I guess he had a hand in the plan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2iuw4NBYCI

You can read more on Malcolm Allison (and listen to an interview I did with him), Plymouth and on Manchester City in the 1960s across this website. Why not sta, here’s a subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1964-65 season. This was a remarkable season when a City director held meetings, hoping to merge City and United! Plus much more. If you’d like to read this 2350 word article, 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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30 Years Ago: Paul Hince Highlights City Humour

On this day (20 November) in 1995 this report of the Sheffield Wednesday-Manchester City game played on 18 November 1995 was published. It’s by former City player Paul Hince, who appeared during City’s 1967-68 League title winning season. Hince’s reports often highlighted the unusual or the different and he tended to notice the feelings of the fans. Here he talks of City fans chanting about winning the League in a season when Alan Ball guided the Blues to depressing failure.

For those interested Steve Lomas netted for the Blues in this match. If you’re interested, you can now read more on City’s 1995-96 season below. This was a hugely significant season and the following subscriber article is almost 5,500 words long.

Yes, I know but we can look back and remember from a position of relative comfortability now! As with many of these subscriber features it contains material from interviews I’ve performed with key figures from that time.

Here’s the 5500 word article on that season:

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Manchester City 3 Newcastle United 1

On this day (19 November) in 2011 League leaders Manchester City defeated Newcastle 3-1 with goals from Mario Balotelli (penalty 41 minutes; photographed), Micah Richards (44th minute) & Sergio Aguero (penalty 72 minutes). Newcastle’s goal came from Dan Gosling in the 88th minute. You can watch highlights below:

https://www.mancity.com/citytv/match-highlights/2011/november/city-v-newcastle-extended-highlights

The 1950s: Film of Blackburn v Manchester City

Here’s film of Blackburn Rovers v Manchester City from this day (18 November) in 1950: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX5BjwHhKPs I won’t mention the score! Ray Haddington scored for City though.

If you’d like to read more on this season, then here’s a 1,500 word article on the 1950-51 season. Enjoy!

This is a subscriber article and you can read it by subscribing below.

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Attendances 40 Years Ago!

These two results tables for top flight football in November 1985 make interesting reading. I’ve included the details published today (17 November, for games played the previous day) in 1985 and also the week after’s details too. This gives an idea of what the top clubs were attracting back then. Notice West Ham’s game attracted more at home than Arsenal’s and that Liverpool were over 26,000 less than Manchester United. Arsenal’s crowd was 6,000 less than struggling Manchester City and Tottenham attracted more than Arsenal too. Reigning League champions Everton were some way ahead of the London clubs and only about 600 behind Liverpool. Obviously, these are only snapshots from two weekends but hopefully it might make those who sing songs like ‘Where Were You?’ think about the crowds at their own clubs first.

the Marwood scoring for Sheffield Wednesday was of course Brian Marwood who went on to play a key part in Manchester City’s modern return to glory. If you’d like to know more about Manchester City at this time, here’s a 2,500 word subscriber feature on the 1985-86 season. Enjoy!

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Forty Years Ago Today: Nottingham Forest v Manchester City

15,140 watched as Manchester City defeated Nottingham Forest 2-0 at the City Ground on 16 November 1985. The scorers were Paul Simpson and Clive Wilson. This photo shows City ‘keeper Eric Nixon and Forest defender Aiden Butterworth and clearly City managed to end this Forest attack. Nixon kept a clean sheet that day of course!

If you’d like to know more about City at this time, here’s a 2,500 word subscriber feature on the 1985-86 season. Enjoy!

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Tomorrow’s feature is on the 1986-87 season. If you missed the earlier features then start here:

The 1980s: 1980-1981 Gow, Hutchison & McDonald

England’s 1st World Cup Qualifier: Maine Rd Selected Above Wembley

Here’s a report, image and film from the first World Cup qualifying match played in England (from this date, 16 November, in 1949). It saw England thrash Ireland 9-2 at Maine Road. This was a historic game for obvious reasons and the match programme explained how the World Cup operated as this was the first time England had participated in the tournament.

Here’s film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktdSk-o6YNA

Here’s a newspaper report:

Invacars at Maine Road

Here’s some film from a Manchester City-Derby County game at Maine Road on this day (14 November) in 1970. The film has a few things to look out for including a Colin Bell goal and scenes of Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison, but you can also see the Invacars that used to be used by disabled people and they were allowed to park pitchside. You can see them a couple of times in this footage (look out after about 19 seconds at the top of the image) positioned in front of the Kippax/Platt Lane Corner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFQWc_pumhQ

The game ended 1-1 in front of 31,817 at Maine Road. Subscribers can read about this season for Manchester City below. This is a 5,200 word article on the entire 1970-71 season. Enjoy!

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Arsenal Lose At Home To Manchester City – Classic Action From 1971

Here’s film of the 13 November 1971 meeting between Arsenal and Manchester City at Highbury which ended 2-1 to City. The City scorers are Ian ‘Spider’ Mellor and Colin Bell. Well worth watching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wzpZ3g0aG8

You can find out more about the 1971-72 season for Manchester City in the this 4,700 word article on the entire season – a hugely significant season though one that’s often neglected. This is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!

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