Category Archives: Seasons

The First Top Flight Manchester Derby

On this day (1 December) in 1906 the first Manchester derby in Division One was played at City’s Hyde Road ground. This photo shows the crowd management scenes for what was described as Manchester’s biggest football day at the time. There had been derbies between City and Newton Heath in the Second Division, before City were promoted in 1899. There was no opportunity for the Blues and the Heathens to meet in the top flight. In 1902 financial difficulties at Newton Heath meant that club was being wound up. A new club called Manchester United was established in 1902 (as with (like Ardwick’s final days and the new club Manchester City, it’s more complicated than simply a name change) and they played in Division Two, until they earned promotion in 1906.

City won this derby 3-0 with goals from George Stewart (2) and Billy Lot Jones.

Crowd scenes on 1 December 1906 at Hyde Road. The first Manchester Derby in Division One (top flight)

If you want to know more about this season then here’s a 3900 word article telling the story of 1906-07 when the FA ban continued to affect Manchester’s Blues (you can read about that elsewhere on this site). This story continues to be one of skullduggery (by other teams too!) and powerful figures seeking to limit opposition.

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More on the 1900s tomorrow. Why not subscribe and read this and all the other subscriber features?

Goalless v Wimbledon

Manager Peter Reid (pictured) opened his Manchester City programme notes for the Wimbledon game on this day (30 November) in 1991 with a realistic view of City’s season to date:  “We are nearly halfway through the season and I think it’s fair to say we’ve given it a right good go so far.  The League table doesn’t lie and we are in the last 16 in the Rumbelows League Cup.  You can’t argue with that.  But you won’t hear any talk of championships or winning trophies from anyone at Maine Road.”

The previous game had seen the Blues draw 2-2 at Luton and consolidate their position in the table.  City were actually third, 6 points behind leaders Leeds United, but the Luton game had started badly with the Blues giving away a sloppy goal. The gritty nature of Reid’s side shone through and a header from captain Curle and a strike from Quinn ensured the point.  Sadly, late on Steve Redmond was sent off for a second bookable offence.   

Unfortunately the Wimbledon game ended goalless at Maine Road and City started to lose their way a little in the title race, but at least they were still in with a shout.   

Result

30 Nov 1991 Wimbledon (H) 0-0, Attendance 22,429

if you’d like to know more on the 1991-92 season when the Blues finished 5th for the second season running, have a read of this 2,100 word article on that season:

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This series of articles and features will run throughout March with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others. There will be flashbacks to great games, players and more. Every day in March will offer something to enjoy.

Subscribers will get access to everything, while some on this day material will be free for all to view.

If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? If you’d like to know more about subscribing then see:

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Manager of the Month

On this day (29 November) in 1995 Manchester City manager Alan Ball won the manager of the month award. These were the days when our initial suspicion about his management approach was looking out of place. His team were starting to get some decent results and then… well, it was soon back to the mess that was Alan Ball’s time as manager of Manchester City. If you’d like to read about that season (and let’s face it, it’s always good to remember days that were awful to appreciate how things are today) then see below.

Alan Ball in August 1996

This article is almost 5,500 words long. It’s available to subscribers, so why not subscribe and relive this extraordinary season? As with all these 1990s 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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If you want to know more on the 1990s for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? If you’d like to know more about subscribing then see:

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Fogged Off: Manchester City V Brentford

On this day (November 28) in 1936 Manchester City’s game with Brentford was abandoned due to fog. The two were rivals for the League title and the rearrangement of that game did ultimately have a bearing on the title. More on this for subscribers below…

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City Women: The First Game

Today (27 November) is the anniversary of the women’s team’s first game. It was payed at Boundary Park and saw Oldham Athletic Ladies face Manchester City Ladies. I was there as my girlfriend, now wife, was playing. She scored two goals in the club’s 4-1 victory. Subscribers can read a 2,200 word long read on this historic first game. Enjoy!

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Today’s feature was the last on the 1980s. I hope you’ve enjoyed them. If you missed the earlier features then start here:

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

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Crowd Issues At Birmingham

On this day (27 November) in 1976 a goalless game at Birmingham caused Manchester City to drop to fifth place but, with only two defeats coming in the side’s opening 15 games (and conceding only one goal in 6 games), there was still a great deal of optimism about the place.  In fact consistency was perhaps the side’s greatest strength.

On the pitch there had been few changes with Corrigan (1), Donachie (3), Doyle (4), Watson (5), Royle (9), Hartford (10), and Tueart (11) being everpresents at this stage in the season in every competition – League, UEFA Cup, and League Cup.

Off the pitch, the mid 70s was a difficult one for supporter behaviour nationally.  Although the Blues took the lead with their great work with young fans and supporters clubs, nationally hooliganism was strong.  The 1975-76 season had seen British Rail cancel all soccer specials following a number of high profile acts of hooliganism, although City’s supporters’ club took a lead in keeping fans on the move during 1976-77 as they managed to keep rail specials for members of the City travel club going.  In fact they continued to run rail specials until the 1990s.

Supporter behaviour was a major issue and there was the first call, by the Daily Mail, to introduce ID cards for fans.  The previous season the supporters of Manchester United and Chelsea had rioted in an attempt to get games in which they were losing abandoned and so City’s great work with the Junior Blues and Supporters’ Club was trying to buck the trend.  Throughout the 1976-77 season the Blues devoted a two page feature (out of 24) each programme to a different supporters branch.

Sadly, there were still instances of trouble at City games and the Birmingham match was no exception.  Young supporter Ian Hodgkinson (aged 16) was particularly upset at the situation at St. Andrew’s:  “The City fans in the Tilton Road End were attacked by Birmingham supporters.  This caused the City fans to run to the entrance.  The Birmingham police then informed us that it was safe to return, but when we got back, the police vanished and once more we were attacked.  Two of my mates had their scarves stolen and were punched many times.”

Ian’s comments were typical of many that were sent to City and the local media, but sadly despite the strength of City’s relationship with supporters at this time, there was little being done elsewhere in football, other than caging fans in (something the Blues tried to avoid at Maine Road). 

Results

27 Nov 1976 Birmingham City (A) 0-0, Attendance 29,722

Subscribers can read a 2,100 word article on the entire 1976-77 season below – a season which saw City come close to League success. You can read this below. Enjoy!

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40 Years Ago Today: Steve Redmond

Steve Redmond signed professional forms for Manchester City on this day (26 November) in 1984. You can find several articles that mention Steve throughout this website. Start looking here:

https://gjfootballarchive.com/tag/steve-redmond/

The New Kippax

On this day (25 November) in 1995 Manchester City’s legendary goalkeeper Bert Trautmann officially opened the new Kippax Stand at Maine Road. You can see the new stand at the top of this photo, with the Manchester City lettering on it. If you’re interested, you can now read more on City’s 1995-96 season below. This was a hugely significant season and this article is almost 5,500 words long.

Yes, I know but we can look back and remember from a position of relative comfortability now!

1994-95 the new Kippax takes shape

It’s available to subscribers, so why not subscribe and relive this extraordinary season? 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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Ron Saunders Arrives

Today (24 November) in 1973 new Manchester City chairman Peter Swales appointed Ron Saunders as the club’s new manager. He didn’t last the season! You can read about both the appointment and the sacking in this 1,700 word article on the 1973-74 season – a season which included a Wembley final, multiple managerial changes and a controversial Manchester Derby at Old Trafford! You can read this below. Enjoy!

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Manchester City v Spurs

It’s a murky night in Manchester today. Getting ready for City v Spurs. If you want something to do before the game why not check out some of the features on the two clubs on this site. Here’s a link to everything tagged Tottenham:

https://gjfootballarchive.com/tag/tottenham/