Category Archives: Seasons

Ardwick and the Manchester Cup

Following on from yesterday’s Ardwick AFC feature, here’s another one. This focuses on the Manchester Cup… As football in Manchester developed, so did Ardwick’s desire to become one of the regions elite clubs.  The Manchester Cup had been established in 1884-5 and this was quickly perceived by the majority of Mancunians as the most prestigious competition around.  The Football League was not in existence until 1888 and even then Manchester failed to have any representatives, while the FA Cup had been established since the 1860s but was not seen in a positive light by Manchester’s sides.  Entry into the Cup required great expense as games could be played anywhere in the United Kingdom – during the 1880s sides from Ireland competed in the FA Cup, while Scottish sides had been amongst the earliest supporters of the competition.  The cost of travel clearly limited Ardwick’s ability to play beyond the Manchester region.

In April 1891 Ardwick reached the Manchester Cup final for the first time in their history.  This was a major landmark and it was also the first major meeting with Newton Heath, present day Manchester United.  Newton Heath had previously played in every final of the competition since it was created in 1884-5 and so this was seen as a real test for the Ardwick players.

Despite the fact that Newton Heath were the more experienced side, Ardwick took the lead thanks to a seventh minute goal from the influential captain Davie Weir.  Reports simply stated that “Weir scored with a long shot”, however they did give a little information before that to suggest that the goal owed much to the earlier persistence of Bob Milarvie.  Milarvie had challenged the Newton Heath goal a couple of times and had clearly surprised the Heathens.  Then, after gaining the ball following a Newton Heath attack, Milarvie “got on a splendid run but was badly fouled.”  From the resulting free kick Ardwick attacked and Weir netted the goal.

Ardwick did actually have another goal disallowed – they were awarded an indirect free kick and the taker blasted the ball straight into the Heathens goal without any other player touching it – but the trophy was won by the Hyde Road side for the first time.

Success in the trophy perhaps went a little to their heads when at the 1891 Football League AGM Ardwick – along with Darwen, Newton Heath, Nottingham Forest, Stoke, and Sunderland Albion – applied to join the newly expanded Football League.  All the applicants, with the exception of Ardwick, were members of the Football Alliance – a league originally set up to rival the Football League.  Not surprisingly, Ardwick failed to gain admittance, with the new places were filled by Stoke, who had won the Alliance, and Darwen.  There was a consolation prize however and Ardwick were admitted to the Alliance League for the 1891-2 season.  

The Manchester Cup had proved to be the Club’s major breakthrough and it had also proved the Ardwick were already perceived as Manchester’s club.  Although Newton Heath had been the more successful club so far, Ardwick were perhaps seen as being more progressive and were already the better supported of the two.  The Hyde Road derby in the Alliance League attracted a crowd of over 10,000, whereas the Heathens home game at North Road was watched by around 4,000.  Even the Hyde Road derby attendance was bettered by Ardwick on two other occasions in the Alliance that season.  

As well as their large support, Ardwick managed to prove their ability to live with the best when they won the Manchester Cup again.  This time they convincingly defeated Football League side Bolton Wanderers 4-1.  The dream of playing League football was getting closer and the Manchester Cup successes had helped that dream.  One man who was proud of this achievement was Walter Chew (image below), who was with St. Mark’s in their first season of 1880-81.  In 1888 he joined the Manchester FA Committee and remained an influential figure there until his death in 1949.  

Ardwick Association Football Club

The other week I posted this card from John Baines (he used to produce these cards in Bradford, West Yorkshire) featuring Ardwick AFC’s captain Davie Weir. It made me realise that perhaps I should post more on the Ardwick years of City and so here’s a small piece on the birth of Ardwick in 1887. That year was to prove perhaps the most important year of the decade as far as the club was concerned. Gorton AFC’s leaders decided in which direction the Club should go after spending a couple of seasons playing at the Bull’s Head in Reddish Lane, on the very edge of Gorton.  This was really as far away from the Club’s Clowes Street origins as the side could go while remaining in Gorton. The Club’s identity was in danger of disappearing.  

Association Football was becoming more popular in the area and sides, such as Newton Heath, were beginning to progress, winning trophies such as the Manchester Cup.  Professionalism was beginning to develop and Gorton had to decide on whether their future was to be as a good local side, such as a modern day pub team, or as a professional outfit.

The decision was taken to become a progressive and professional outfit.  The committee also wanted Gorton to return to their Clowes Street roots.  They recognised that this was not entirely possible – Clowes Street remained one of Manchester’s most densely populated areas – but they did manage to find an area of wasteland not too far away.  Legend tells us that Club Captain Kenneth McKenzie lived in Bennett Street, Ardwick, and every lunchtime he would take a short cut from Bennett’s Timber Yard, off Hyde Road, through the L&NWR railway arches, and across the wasteland to Bennett St.  He believed that with a little effort this land could become Gorton’s home.

After a great deal of effort and negotiation with the railway company which owned the land the pitch was ready for its first match by the end of August 1887.  In addition, steps were taken to relaunch the Club.  The name of Ardwick AFC was chosen as the new ground was just within the boundaries of Ardwick and not Gorton, although it has to be stressed that this ground was closer to Clowes Street than any other Gorton venue used by the Club after its first season.

The nearby Hyde Road Hotel became Ardwick’s headquarters.  Stones from this building, demolished in 2002, formed part of the Club’s Memorial Garden at the City Of Manchester Stadium when it was opened.

Gradually Ardwick increased their support and it’s fair to say that by the summer of 1888 Ardwick were Manchester’s most popular club, or at least on a par with Newton Heath.  In 1889 Ardwick built a grandstand capable of holding 1,000 spectators, and for the sum of £5 15s the club’s first pay box – turnstile was not an appropriate name – was erected.  

From that point on the side grew at a rapid rate and managed to recruit several good quality and well known players.  Perhaps the best known at the time was Davie Weir (seen on the card at the top of this page) who joined Ardwick in May 1890.  Often described as individualistic, Weir was an England international when he arrived at Hyde Road after playing in the 6-1 victory over Ireland in March 1889 and a 3-2 defeat by Scotland the following April.  Against Scotland he was credited with scoring England’s second goal, although there remains some dispute as to who got the final touch.

At City Weir played as a forward, but he had previously been known for fulfilling a variety of roles most notably centre-half.  Football was still developing of course, but the key point concerning Weir’s pre-Ardwick days is that he was known as a great goalscorer whatever position he played at Bolton.  He’d only missed one match during Bolton’s first two seasons of League football, and had netted a 21 goals in 43 League games.  During 1889-90 season he scored an incredible 10 goals in only 4 FA Cup ties.  Clearly for Weir – a player only in his late twenties – to leave League side Bolton to join a side that had yet to compete in any formal league says a great deal about the ambition of Ardwick.

At Hyde Road Weir was immediately popular and he netted two hat-tricks in his first four games.  He also scored the first Ardwick goal in the FA Cup, and was a key member of the side that competed in the Alliance League in 1891-2.  His career also saw him feature in the Club’s first season in the Football League where he became Ardwick’s top goalscorer, despite returning to Bolton midway through the season in January 1893.

In later life he became the Glossop manager in 1909 and remained with the Division Two side until April 1911 when he was approached by Stuttgart to become their coach.  He passed away in November 1933 at the age of 70.

Aguero’s 200th (& 201st) Goal

Today (5 August) in 2018 Sergio Aguero scored his 200th and 201st goals for Manchester City as they defeated Chelsea 2-0 in the Community Shield. You can watch the goals here:

https://www.mancity.com/citytv/match-highlights/2018/august/chelsea-v-man-city-community-shield-extended-match-highlights

How To Subscribe

1904 or 1926 FA Cup Train: The Answer

A few days ago I asked for train enthusiasts to help identify a train so that I could work out whether this photo I was given about twenty years ago was from 1904 or 1926. The person who gave it to me was certain it was from 1904 but someone else suggested 1926. Personally I had no idea whether it was either year but I hoped someone out there could help. Obviously, the year of construction could help identify the year the photo was taken. Well, the call for help worked and various people contacted me with suggestions.

John Nisbet found a piece on the engine and wrote to me after identifying the train numbers 349: ‘I found this with a search showing a loco with the number 349. It mentions that it was withdrawn after a 35 year working life which suggests it was built around 1922 ish.’

If that’s true then the train was not around in 1904 and therefore the image seems to be more likely to be 1926.

While you’re here why not subscribe to the site and see all the material posted over the last five years or so?

How To Subscribe

Peter Barnes MCFC Return?

On this day (2nd August) in 1981 the Sunday Mirror published an interview with Peter Barnes saying he would return to Manchester City if he could. The player was at WBA and, following Ron Atkinson’s move to Manchester United, it looked like Peter was to move from the Hawthorns.m

Both City and Leeds United seemed interested. This article from 1981 talked of Barnes’ final days at Maine Road two years earlier. Of course this time is extensively covered in my book The Peter Barnes Authorised Biography which is now available direct from most bookshops. If yours doesn’t stock it then let them know they can get hold of it from their usual supplier or direct from me.

For those who use online retailers and prefer to use Amazon here’s their link:

David James

On this day (1 August) in 1970 former Manchester City and England goalkeeper David James was born in Welwyn. Here for subscribers is a profile of James:

Subscribe to get access

Read more of this content when you subscribe today.

Subscribe

United’s First Homecoming Led By City Man

This is an important photo of Manchester United’s first homecoming parade in 1909. The Reds had won the FA Cup and City director Albert Alexander (senior) was asked by United to lead the homecoming parade. City had won the same cup in 1904 and Alexander had led that parade, so the decision was taken to show continuity between the two trophy successes (the first for each club).

Alexander is the man who supplied the carriages and horses and can be seen on this photo holding the reins in between manager Ernest Mangnall and United star Charlie Roberts.

I met and interviewed Albert’s grandson Eric quite a few times over the years – on one occasion Eric took me on a tour of the Isle of Man where he lived and where he acted as an official in the island’s famous TT races. Eric was a wonderful ambassador for City and football in general. He was rightly proud of his family’s direct involvement in the fortunes of City from the 1890s through to the modern era. Eric’s grandfather held almost every position at the club, including acting manager in 1925-26 (taking City to Wembley) and Eric’s father, Albert junior, was chairman when City achieved tremendous success in the 1960s and early 1970s. Albert junior had been a programme seller back in early 1900s too!

Eric was chairman after his father and had to make way for Peter Swales in 1973. You can read more on the Alexanders across this site (use the search or tags).

United and City were close throughout the lives of both Alberts with Matt Busby once asking Albert junior to be a director at Old Trafford (he declined saying City was his club). A seat was reserved for Albert junior at every United home game.

Why not subscribe to the site and read everything on here? See:

How To Subscribe

Ralph Brand

On this day (30 July) in 1965 it was reported that new Manchester City manager Joe Mercer was trying to sign Scottish international Ralph Brand. Brand was to be one Joe’s first signing at City (people often incorrectly claim Mike Summerbee was his first signing).

Any Train Experts Able To Help?

About twenty years ago I was given this photo of a train dressed to take Manchester City to the FA Cup Final. The person who gave it to me was certain it was from 1904 but someone else suggested 1926. Personally I have no idea whether it was either year but hopefully someone out there can help. Is anyone able to work out whether the train itself would’ve been around in 1904 or 1926? Obviously, the year of construction could help identify the year the photo was taken. Any help appreciated.

While you’re here why not subscribe to the site and see all the material posted over the last five years or so?

How To Subscribe

Newton Heath Victoria Ladies and Billy Meredith

My research into women’s football in Manchester continues to try and find teams, clubs and women who played football at some point in the region’s history. People often narrow down Manchester’s women’s football history into one or two clubs and that’s unfair on the thousands of women who played football in the conurbation from the 1800s through to today. Obviously, I’ve published books on the Manchester Corinthians and Manchester City and a booklet on the borough of Trafford, but these are really just representative of the depth of football being played and organised by women. In the fifties for example I’ve presented at conferences on multiple clubs that played regularly in the city. Elsewhere on this site you’ll also find Steve Bolton’s wonderful research into Manchester Ladies – a team that predated the Corinthians.

The Corinthians are remarkable and I’d urge everybody to read their story (get it from a library if you don’t fancy buying it) but so are all the others. At least one other Manchester women’s team toured Europe in the 1950s for example.

Which brings me on to this photo. It shows a team from Newton Heath around the First World War but notice who is also on the photograph… The great Billy Meredith (far right) who, at this time, was back with City coaching and playing. He was officially still a United player but had fallen out with them about payments he believed he was still owed from his benefit match. After the war he had to return to United as they held his contract but during the war he chose to play for City and also took time out to coach at least one women’s team.

I’d love to know more about this team from Newton Heath (and others in the region of course). I believe a Manchester City director was also the founder of the team but I don’t yet have absolute proof.

If you’re aware of women’s teams from the region prior to 1980 or know of women who played in the 1940s-1960s or for the Manchester Corinthians then please let me know. For the Corinthians I’m keen to develop my database of players with the aim of ensuring as many as I can identify are recorded. Thanks.