Category Archives: Seasons

The 1980s: David Johnson

After a glittering career with Preston, Everton and Liverpool, striker David Johnson joined Manchester City on this day (21 March) in 1984.  Johnson scored on his City debut – an 83rd minute equaliser v Cardiff in a game the Blues went on to win 2-1 (Image is of that goal). Unfortunately, despite a reputation as a lethal striker – and hard evidence of achievement – Johnson’s time at Maine Road was not particularly successful.  After one goal in four (plus two as substitute) games Johnson moved to play soccer in North America in May 1984.   

Johnson died in November 2022 and the following piece was written by Samuel Meade and published in the Mirror:

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/grame-souness-david-johnson-tribute-28569782

You can read an article on the entire 1983-84 season if you subscribe (see below):

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The 1950s: John McTavish

On 3 March this year (2025) the former Manchester City centre-half John McTavish died at the age of 93. Here’s a brief profile of him to give some background on the player.

Height: 5’10.5″   Weight: 11st.7lbs.

Born in Glasgow on 2 February 1932

John joined Manchester City on 12 June 1952 at the age of twenty after spells with Bathgate Thistle and Dalry Thistle in Scotland. Known as a solid and reliable player John was given his first team debut at Middlesbrough on 21 November 1953. For that game he 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.  

John became regarded as a reserve player, before he was transferred to St Mirren in November 1960 as part of a deal that saw Gerry Baker arriving at Maine Road. He stayed at St Mirren for five years (91 League games, 2 goals) before spending six months with Stranraer.

Away from football John found a new career as a manufacturer’s agent in children’s fashion.

City appearances: FL:93 apps & FAC: 3 apps. Total 96 apps.

City Reserve appearances: 196 apps. 5 goals.

Other City appearances: 26+1 apps. 1 goal.

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 1950s: Film of Law’s Debut

Here’s film of Denis Law making his debut on this day (19 March) in 1960 at Elland Road against Leeds. He was, of course, making his first appearance for Manchester City following his transfer from Huddersfield Town. Notice the photographers lining up to catch him. This was an uncommon sight at football back then and demonstrates how significant Law’s transfer was at the time.

You can read more about Law elsewhere on this site. There’s also a series of articles already posted on the 1950s and 1960s for Manchester City. Why not start with the following subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1959-60 season? If you’d like to read this 1200 word article, plus all other articles on the site, then please subscribe (see below).

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The 1950s: The 1959-1960 Season for Manchester City

The series of features on the 1950s continues with this subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1959-60 season. If you’d like to read this 1200 word article, plus all other articles on the site, then please subscribe (see below).

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The 1950s: The 1956 FA Cup Semi Final

On this day (17 March) in 1956 Manchester City defeated Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in the FA Cup semi final with a goal from Bobby Johnstone. The game was watched by 69,788 at Villa Park and you can watch film of it here:

https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/60611/

You can read more on this season below…

Here for subscribers is a 3,900 word article on the 1955-56 season when City won the FA Cup final (nowadays known as the Trautmann Final) and Bert Trautmann was FWA Footballer of the Year (presented in the days before the final). Enjoy!

You can read the article by subscribing below.

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Congratulations Newcastle

Congratulations Newcastle on defeating Liverpool in today’s League Cup final. The victory also means that 120 years separate their first major trophy success with their most recent. This span equals Manchester City. Every year, usually when the domestic season ends I update the table showing the span of success – i.e. the number of years between a club’s first major success (FA Cup, League, League Cup, major European trophy) and their most recent – for each major men’s trophy winning English club. I last did this after the 2023-24 season ended (see below). There wasn’t much difference between the 2023 final table and the 2024. Both Liverpool and Manchester City increased their span, as did United. Newcastle have leaped from 16th place (just behind Chelsea) to joint second with City. Here’s the table as it stood before today’s game:

As I always say, the span of success does not show how many trophies each club has won or how frequently that club has experienced great eras of success, but it does demonstrate how wrong those people are who believe certain clubs were unsuccessful until recent years, or those who think certain clubs have always been giants. The column on first major success helps to show when some clubs first became trophy-winning significant (often after transformational investment too!).

There’s not much difference between 2023 and 2024 – numbers have changed but not positions. In 2023 West Ham, like potentially Newcastle this year, proved that if you’re a club that hasn’t won a major trophy for a while putting your focus on achieving trophy success ahead of the odd Premier League position can bring significant reward. In future decades no one will remember who finished seventh, tenth or fifteenth but they will remember the trophies. Here’s the previous year’s table for comparison purposes:

I know clubs focus on their financials but winning a trophy has longevity, gaining the odd Premier League place provides a bit of extra cash now but no long term kudos. Winning a trophy attracts new fans and brings money-spinning opportunities too.

If I was a supporter of any of the major clubs who have not found significant success in recent decades then I would absolutely want my team to go for whichever cup competition seems the most likely to win. That’s what I always wanted from City before they were able to compete for the League again. Winning the FA Cup in 2011 helped everything that followed happen – it gave confidence and a trophy winning mentality.

While you’re here why not take a look at the wide range of articles available on this site? Such as the 100 day series of features on Maine Road:

Maine Road 100 – Day 10
Maine Road 100 – Day 3
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An Interview About Joe Mercer

The 1950s: Hayes Hat Trick

On this day (16 March) in 1955 Manchester City defeated Bolton Wanderers 4-2 with goals from Joe Hayes (3) and Fionan Fagan (photographed).

This series on Manchester City in the 1950s includes free items and items only available to subscribers. If you’d like to find out more on the 1954-55 season then subscribe and read the following 3,400 word article on it. It’s a season when City reached the FA Cup final and Don Revie was FWA Footballer of the Year.

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

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The 1950s: The 1958-59 Season

The new series on Manchester City in the 1950s continues today with this 1,500 word article on the 1958-59 season. Enjoy!

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

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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month or you can subscriber for the discounted annual rate of £20 per year. Each subscriber gets access to everything posted so far, including PDFs of a couple of my books.

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Chelsea v Manchester City Today

Good luck to Manchester City in today’s Women’s League Cup Final at Derby’s Pride Park. The game kicks off at 12.15 and sees Blues boss Nick Cushing look to capture the first major silverware of the season.

The final is live on BBC One from 11:45, with live radio commentary from 12:00 on BBC 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, and text commentary on BBC Sport website.

Of course City and Chelsea have met before in the League Cup final. You can read this article I did a few years ago on that and on City’s first League Cup success here:

The League Cup: City Women

The 1950s: Spurdle Hat Trick

On this day (14 March 1953) Billy Spurdle scored a hat-trick as Manchester City defeated Aston Villa 4-1 at Maine Road. The other City scorer was Harry Anders. The attendance was 32,552. You can read more on this period for Manchester’s Blues with the following 2,000 word article on the 1952-53 season. Enjoy!

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

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