it’s one of the oldest fixtures either club has with a rich history stretching back to the 1890s. Both sides have found major success with City’s first major trophy coming in 1904 and Arsenal’s arriving 26 years later. As you’d expect with such a long history there are plenty of articles on my website about both clubs. Here’s a link to all those tagged Arsenal:
Category Archives: Seasons
The 1980s: MCFC 2 WBA 1
On this day (1 February) in 1986 Manchester City defeated West Bromwich Albion 2-1 with goals from Gordon Davies and Paul Power.
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
Corinthians Radio & Events
There are a few events lined up where I’ll be talking about the Corinthians. These are free to attend (details below) and tonight (31 January) I’ll be on Lewis Connell’s sport show on Tameside Radio too. That’s on at 7pm (link below). Thanks to Lewis for the invite. He’s been a key supporter of the Corinthians project over the last few years.
https://www.notreallyheremedia.com/on-air/
The events planned are:
Wednesday 12 February 2pm at Tameside Library, Ashton under Lyne
Thursday 27 February (evening) at the West Yorkshire branch of the MCFC Supporters Club
Wednesday 5 March – 5.30pm (general) at Manchester Central Library
Watch this space for further details soon.
There will also be talks with schools and other groups soon. If you’d like me to talk at your library, group or school then please get in touch.
The book is now beginning to appear at bookshops. Amazon now say they have copies if you want to buy it from them. You can also buy copies direct from me.
The book consists of 356 pages. It is illustrated throughout and you can order it below for £25 (including UK postage and packaging).
If you live outside the UK then please contact for details of additional postage costs.
You do not need to have a PayPal account to order – use the ‘Pay with PayPal’ button above and it will give you the option to pay by credit/debit card without creating a PayPal account
UK ONLY – Manchester Corinthians: The Authorised History
The story of a pioneering women’s club as told to Gary James by those who were there. This will be published in late December 2024. This is UK only at £25 (incl UK postage and packaging). Outside UK contact for additional postage costs.
£25.00
To get a feel for the Corinthians’ story and the book you can watch an 18 minute video put together by Imprint Films here:
https://www.imprintfilms.co.uk/oh-what-a-team
If you’ve issues watching the video there (youtube may ask you to sign in) you can also watch it here (click on the ‘Watch on Youtube’, bottom left if your link doesn’t work):
I’d like to say my heartfelt thanks to Manchester City for their help and for inviting the Corinthians. I’s also like to thank all at Imprint Films for doing the video. In the spirit of Percy Ashley himself, they have funded the production of this video themselves and have the desire to see the Corinthians story spread widely. This is, of course, something I totally believe in myself. We need to spread this story and let the entire world know about the Corinthians.
Please share the video and, while you’re at it, spread the news about the book too. Both are self funded and we need help to spread the word.
The 1960s: Summerbee Treble
On this day (31 January) in 1968 Manchester City defeated Reading 7-0 in a FA Cup replay. As the players left the field the Elm Park tannoy announcer claimed: ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, you have just seen one of the greatest teams England has produced in a long time.’
Goalscorers were Mike Summerbee (3), Colin Bell, Tony Coleman, George Heslop and Neil Young. This photo is of the Bell, Lee & Summerbee statue at the Etihad today.
Dozens of letters arrived at Maine Road commenting on City’s performance. Many Reading fans wrote in saying they could have watched the Blues all night. Other letters arrived commenting on how well behaved the City supporters were, while fans themselves commented on the cheerfulness of the Reading police.
These points may seem trivial today, but in 1968 football had already begun to enter its hooligan period. Football supporters had started to be seen as trouble causers and incidents of violence, or of vandalism, soon found their way into national newspapers. Although City supporters were never totally blameless, during the late 1960s Blues fans continued to gain commendations rather than condemnation.
You can read more on this remarkable, trophy winning season below. If you’d like to read this 7,600 word article (yes, 7,600 words on one season!), 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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The 1970s: Plymouth Beaten League Cup ’74
On this day (30 January) in 1974 Manchester City defeated Plymouth 2-0 in the second leg of the League Cup semi final. The first game ended 1-1 (Tommy Booth scored for City) at Plymouth and this match saw goals from Colin Bell and Francis Lee to ensure a Wembley final. You can watch highlights here (I particularly like the Bell goal):
Below you can read a 1,700 word article on the entire 1973-74 season – a season which included a Wembley final, multiple managerial changes and a controversial Manchester Derby at Old Trafford! You do have to be a subscriber to read this and subscribers get access to everything on the site. Why not subscribe for a month and see what you think.
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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) or there’s a special annual rate of £20 which works out about £1.67 a week and gives access to everything posted, including PDFs of 3 of my books.
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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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DonateThe 1970s: A Francis Lee Hat Trick
On this day (29 January) in 1972 Francis Lee netted a hat trick for Manchester City as they defeated Wolves 5-2 at Maine Road. The other City scorers were Tommy Booth and Tony Towers.
If you’d like to read more on the 1971-72 season then here’s a 4,700 word article on the entire 1971-72 season – a hugely significant season though one that’s often neglected. You will need to subscribe to read this and all other subscriber articles. Why not subscribe for a month and see what you think. Enjoy!
Subscribe to get access
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) to access everything posted since 1 October 2022 or there’s a special annual rate of £20 per year which works out much cheaper.
If you’d like to know more about subscribing then see:
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.
Choose an amount
£2.50
£5.00
£7.50
Or enter a custom amount
£
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateThe 1960s: Summerbee Double
On this day (29 January) in 1966 Mike Summerbee scored twice as Manchester City defeated Middlesbrough 3-1. The other goal came from Neil Young (the photo is of course Neil Young in 1971 at Maine Road). 1965-66 was an important season in MCFC history and you can read more on it in the following 4100 word article. This (plus all other articles on the site) is available to subscribers (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.
Subscribe to get access
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) or sign up for a year at the discounted price of £20 per year (works out £1.67 per month). Subscribers access the 1000+ articles posted so far and the others scheduled during the life of your subscription.
The 1960s: Law’s Expunged Six!
On this day (28 January) in 1961 Denis Law’s six goals against Luton in the FAC were wiped from the records when the game was abandoned due to waterlogged pitch. Manchester City were winning 6-2, and lost the replay 3-1 (Law scored City’s consolation). If you want to know more about the 1960-61 season then you can read the following 1200 word article. It’s a subscriber piece and if you want to read it (plus all other articles on the site) then please subscribe (see below).
Subscribe to get access
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) or sign up for a year at the discounted price of £20 per year (works out £1.67 per month). Subscribers access the 1000+ articles posted so far and the others scheduled during the life of your subscription.
The 1960s: MCFC v Reading
On this day (27 January) in 1968 40,343 watched as Manchester City and Reading played out a goalless draw in the FA Cup at Maine Road. City had missed a penalty too! The Manchester Evening News reporter Peter Gardner was not impressed with City (see below report). A nice reminder that even the greatest of teams can have off days!
The tie went to a replay and you can find out what happened next in the following 7,600 word article (yes, 7,600 words on one season!) on the 1967-68 season. This is available to subscribers, who also have access to all other articles on the site. As with most of the other features in my series on the 1960s it includes words from interviews I have performed with those who were there.
Subscribe to get access
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) or sign up for a year at the discounted price of £20 per year (works out £1.67 per month). Subscribers access the 1000+ articles posted so far and the others scheduled during the life of your subscription.
David Gaskell
I missed this yesterday but another Manchester footballing figure has died. Manchester United’s record-breaking former goalkeeper David Gaskell, has died aged 84. Gaskell was just 16 years and 19 days old when he came on for United, following an injury to first-choice keeper Ray Wood. The game was the first ever Manchester derby in the Charity Shield, played at Maine Rd in October 1956. He remains the record for the youngest player to make their debut for United.
He kept a clean sheet and United won the Shield match 1-0.
My thoughts are with Gaskell’s family and friends.
Here’s a report of the 1956 Charity Shield. Note they say Gaskell is 15 not his actual age, but he made history that day not just as United’s youngest player. He was also the first substitute in a Manchester derby. Substitutions were not allowed in competitive football but as this was a charity game and Wood could not continue in nets both teams agreed.
Gary James' Football Archive 