Category Archives: Seasons

The 2000s: Stuart Pearce Arrives at MCFC

On this day (21 June) in 2001 newspapers carried the news that Stuart Pearce had joined Manchester City. The 39 year old joined City on 20 June and was to form part of manager Kevin Keegan’s backroom staff. He would also continue to play too. It proved to be a popular signing and the 2001-02 season was to be a truly entertaining one. You can read more about that below.

This is a 5,400 word article on the 2001-02 season which saw City win the old League Championship trophy. This is available to subscribers.

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Watson’s City Move

Fifty years ago today (20 June 1975) it was reported that Dave Watson’s move to Manchester City from Sunderland was great news for Watson’s family. In the article posted here a newspaper from the area of Nottingham that Dave was from included comments from his family. Interestingly, the paper quoted his mum and, amazingly, included her home address! I’ve blanked it out, but back in 1975 it would’ve been possible for any reader of the newspaper to turn up at Mrs Watson’s door. Fairly irresponsible I guess, but back then it was fairly standard for local papers to post addresses.

The article makes interesting reading and note the line about City remaining a glamour club – take note those who think football history started with the birth of the Premier League!

A Covid Return

On this day (17 June) in 2020 football returned to the Etihad after the pause in the 2019-20 season caused by the Covid pandemic. The first game there saw Manchester City defeat Arsenal 3-0 with goals from Sterling, De Bruyne and Foden. You can watch highlights here:

https://www.mancity.com/citytv/mens/man-city-3-0-arsenal-long-highlights-63728028

Barney Daniels

I’ve heard the sad news that the former Manchester City and Stockport County player Barney Daniels has died. He also played for Manchester United (though not in the first team), Chester City, Ashton United and Hyde United.

He joined City on 30 March 1973 and made his first team debut against Derby County on 6 Feb 1974 (report below). In total he played 3 games in 1973-74 (debut v Derby 1-0 win; 9/2/74 at Chelsea & came on as sub at Liverpool on 16/4/74).

Screenshot

The following season (1974-75) he made ten appearances and the first of those was against Leicester on 23/11/74 when he scored 2 goals and made the headlines as he helped City go to the top of the top flight (see following report):

Daniels moved to Chester City on 9 July 1975 (Chester’s record signing at the time) and went on to join Stockport County (July 1976), Ashton United (1978-82), Hyde United 1982 and back to Ashton United (1982-84).

At City he was a consistent performer for the reserves.


John Maddocks (City’s former statistician/historian in the 80s/90s) gave these notes he’d written on Barney in the late 1990s which are worth posting here: ‘Most enjoyable it was watching Barney Daniels in action in the Reserves in the 1970’s. He scored an average of almost a goal a game in 1973-74 including several hat-tricks and he deserved his first team chance when it came. He had had trials with Blackpool, scoring three goals in four reserve games, but was not taken on, and in his first season with Ashton United he scored 27 goals. City bought him for £1,000 and also played a friendly at Ashton.

‘Barney was top reserve team marksman in consecutive seasons from 1973-75, scoring 44 times.’

John’s stats showed that Barney made the following City appearances:

FL:9+4 apps. 2 gls.

TOTAL:9+4 apps. 2 gls.         

Res:61+1 apps. 44 gls.

Other:10+2 apps. 12 gls.

The 1990s: New Manager for City?

On 15 June 1995 Manchester City’s efforts to replace Brian Horton as manager seemed to be stumbling. Brian Kidd had been wanted by chairman Francis Lee, but that wasn’t happening; others who would be discussed widely (and fans were told would be possible) included George Graham and Franz Beckenbauer. Ultimately City appointed Alan Ball (you can read about his time at City elsewhere on this website if you’re brave enough to be reminded of those days!).

The 1940s: George Smith 5

On 14 June in 1947 Manchester City’s George Smith (on right of photo the following season playing against Manchester United) scored five as the Blues defeated Newport 5-1 in the Second Division. At the time this was City’s latest finish to a season (eclipsed by the Covid affected 2019-20 season of course!). You can read more on the 1946-47 season below. This was the first league season after the war and ended with City winning the Second Division title. There were some truly significant – and well attended – games that season and future Liverpool manager Joe Fagan made his debut this season too. This subscriber article includes comments from an interview I did with George Smith back in 2003.

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

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The 1970s: Summerbee Leaves City

On 13 June 1975 Mike Summerbee signed for Burnley from Manchester City. That day also saw Burnley sign Manchester United’s Willie Morgan too. These were sad departures from both City and United as far as Manchester fans were concerned. Here’s a report including quotes from the 14 June 1975:

City’s Swedish Tour in Doubt

Back in June 1985 English football clubs planned tours and preseason games were in doubt after first UEFA, then FIFA instigated bans on English clubs playing outside of the UK. According to the Liverpool Echo Manchester City was to be the first team to challenge the ban (see below for details). The bans followed the awful, tragic scenes at the 1985 European Cup Final featuring Liverpool. That day was an absolutely disgraceful day that saw 39 people die – please find a way to read about the circumstances. It really was horrific.

The reason this became a story on 11 June in 1985 in the Liverpool Echo is that City’s planned trip to Sweden was in jeopardy and the newspaper wanted to raise awareness of the possibility that the ban could be lifted.

Ultimately, City did not get to Sweden in 1985 and they played in the Isle Of Man tournament in July and August instead.

Swales Out 1983

As part if my Maine Rd 100 countdown in 2023 I posted this image of Manchester City fans demonstrating against chairman Peter Swales and his supporting board of directors. It’s always worth remembering those days as a reminder of how things change.

Of course fans still demonstrate and make their feelings known over various issues (as is their right) but these days it tends to be over specific issues. Back then it was about the direction of the full club. This image was from 1983 but protests against Swales and the board began in 1979 and continued until 1993-94. Here’s a photo of John Bond stood in front of the Main Entrance in 1983. The ‘cage’ protecting the entrance would often get locked to prevent fans forcing their way in during demonstrations.

John Bond, 1983

Here’s a 1995 image of Maine Road showing the forecourt in front of the Main Stand where most demonstrations occurred:

The 1980s: Mark Lillis Signs

On this day (7 June) in 1985 it was reported that Manchester City had signed City fan Mark Lillis (see the image for the story). Lillis soon became a cult hero to Kippax fans.

The 1980s was a truly important decade in the history of Manchester City Football Club and you can find out more on this season by reading the following 2,500 word feature on 1985-86 (available to subscribers). 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