Here’s another flashback to the 1970s. It’s video of Joe Royle scoring for Manchester City v Arsenal. It was the only goal of the game and you can watch it here:
This series of articles and features on Manchester City in the 1970s has been running throughout January and February 2024 with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others.
Subscribers can access everything. If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? You could even subscribe for a month and see what you think. The following 1,200 word article is on the 1976-77 season and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!
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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 below which gives greater access and works out much cheaper.
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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.
The series of features/articles covering Manchester City in the 1970s continues with this brief reminder of a day when icy conditions brought chaos to many grounds. City managed to get their game against QPR on and it was played on this day (11 February) in 1978. City still had ambitions to catch League leaders Liverpool. There’s a report of the game and post match League table below but the highlights were that Corrigan made some significant saves; Bell scored his first goal since his return on Boxing Day and Mike Channon scored the other in a 2-1 City victory.
Here’s the report:
Here are the top two divisions’ results and positions post match. Note some of those clubs in the second tier.
The following 3,700 word article is on the 1977-78 season and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!
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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 below which gives greater access and works out much cheaper.
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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.
The series of features/articles covering Manchester City in the 1970s continues with this cutting from today (10 February) in 1979 where Junior Blues’ chairman Roger Reade answers critics about the lack of players at a couple of meetings. It’s a bit difficult to read because of the quality of the scan but hopefully you can appreciate the story.
Basically, Roger explains, players were normally available for Junior Blues branch meetings (note: these are district/branches linked to Supporters Club branches, not the main Junior Blues – what an incredible commitment to have players at both the main Junior Blues but also the branches too!). The plans were disrupted because Asa Hartford and Willie Donachie had been selected for Scotland AND on another occasion because Malcolm Allison returned as coach and insisted all the players were in a meeting with him instead.
Here’s the article:
This series of articles and features on Manchester City in the 1970s has been running throughout January and now into February with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others. Every day offered something to enjoy and I’ll continue this series for a little while yet. Thanks for all the positive comments about it.
Subscribers can access everything. If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? You could even subscribe for a month and see what you think. The following 5,700 word article is on the 1978-79 season and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!
Subscribe to get access – Monthly
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 below which gives greater access and works out much cheaper.
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (above) or £20 a year (here) to access everything posted since the site was created in December 2020. This special rate works out about £1.67 a week and gives access to everything posted, including PDFs of 3 of my books.
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.
I can’t do a series of features/articles covering Manchester City in the 1970s without mentioning one of my greatest heroes – Dave Watson. Prior to Watson my heroes had been Rodney Marsh (my brother picked Colin Bell and we weren’t allowed to have the same hero!), then Dennis Tueart and then Dave Watson arrived in 1975 and, together with Dennis, he remained the hero forever more. Even a move away from City didn’t change my thoughts and for decades, probably until Vincent Kompany, City didn’t have a defender who could rival Watson for his consistency and determination.
I’ve been fortunate enough to meet Dave a few times over the years (I was lucky enough to sit next to him at the 2008 UEFA Cup final at MCFC – or at least my wife sat next to him; I was next to her) and I also interviewed him a few years back. In his presence he remained very much the hero and was a genuinely nice guy to chat to. Sometimes they say don’t meet your heroes but in Dave’s case he was everything I’d hoped him to be.
These two cuttings mark the beginning of his MCFC career and his end. Two simple newspaper articles that highlight transfers. That’s all. But as any City fan knows the years, games and moments in between were tremendous as Dave helped City find major success and also challenge in both the League and in Europe too.
You can find out more about Dave’s time at City by searching my website for his name or by following the links. The seasons Dave played for City are covered as part of my 1970s series. Subscribers get access to everything. If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? You could even subscribe for a month and see what you think. The following 5,320 word article is on the 1975-76 season and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!
Subscribe to get access – Monthly
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 below which gives greater access and works out much cheaper.
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (above) or £20 a year (here) to access everything posted since the site was created in December 2020. This special rate works out about £1.67 a week and gives access to everything posted, including PDFs of 3 of my books.
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.
An unfortunate late own goal by Mick Horswill hardly mattered as Manchester City defeated Everton 2-1 on this day (8 February) in 1975. The Blues were leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Colin Bell and Dennis Tueart. You can watch all the goals (and a Marsh opportunity!) here:
This series of articles and features on Manchester City in the 1970s has been running throughout January and Februaru with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others. Every day offered something to enjoy.
Subscribers have access to everything. If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? You could even subscribe for a month and see what you think. The following 1,600 word article is on the 1974-75 season and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!
Subscribe to get access – Monthly
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 below which gives greater access and works out much cheaper.
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (above) or £20 a year (here) to access everything posted since the site was created in December 2020. This special rate works out about £1.67 a week and gives access to everything posted, including PDFs of 3 of my books.
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.
Another 1970s flashback today with film of Tommy Booth and Asa Hartford both scoring for Manchester City on this day (7 February) in 1976. The Blues had gone a goal behind to Aston Villa before great work from Hartford helped to change the course of the match. All goals can be seen in this clip here:
This series of articles and features on Manchester City in the 1970s has been running throughout January and February with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others.
Subscribers get access to everything. If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? You could even subscribe for a month and see what you think. The following 5,320 word article is on the 1975-76 season and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!
Subscribe to get access – Monthly
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 below which gives greater access and works out much cheaper.
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (above) or £20 a year (here) to access everything posted since the site was created in December 2020. This special rate works out about £1.67 a week and gives access to everything posted, including PDFs of 3 of my books.
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.
The series of features/articles covering Manchester City in the 1970s continues with this video flashback to a game at Arsenal on this day (6 February) in 1971. It’s a Manchester City defeat but well worth watching for several great saves/goalline clearances in what was an extremely close match. Watch out also for Arthur Mann and Freddie Hill – two players who are not often seen on film during their City days.
Corrigan did not deserve to lose this game!
This series of articles and features on Manchester City in the 1970s has been running during January and February 2024 with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others.
Subscribers will get access to everything. If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? You could even subscribe for a month and see what you think. The following 5,200 word article is on the 1970-71 season and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!
Subscribe to get access – Monthly
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 below which gives greater access and works out much cheaper.
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (above) or £20 a year (here) to access everything posted since the site was created in December 2020. This special rate works out about £1.67 a week and gives access to everything posted, including PDFs of 3 of my books.
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.
Last week I posted a piece on the 1978-79 season when Malcolm Allison returned midway though, describing himself as City’s Coaching Overlord. It was never an official title but the press loved it. That led to several people commenting on facebook, twitter and in private messages to me about the loss they felt when Malcolm started to move on some of the players fans loved. This included Peter Barnes (who I’ve written an authorised biography of – see elsewhere on my site for details of how tobuy that) and Gary Owen. Both players were loved by fans (and still are). So today’s 1970s flashback follows on from all of that.
It’s a reminder of the day Gary Owen made his Manchester City debut, replacing Alan Oakes. The debut was actually on 20 March 1976 against Wolves. A few years back I interviewed Gary about this first appearances and asked:
Your chance to play eventually came in March 1976. What do you remember about your debut against Wolves?
‘I’d been on the bench for the FA Cup tie with Hartlepool when we beat them 6-0 (3/01/76) but not used, and at Burnley on 13th March. Then Alan Oakes was injured and so the day before the Wolves game I was told I was going to make my debut. That night I could hardly sleep and on the morning of the game I remember having bacon, egg & toast. I had a full fry up! This was before nutritionists and so on and I thought it was the best thing to have. I thought I had to build myself up. I was full of nervous energy as well. I would have loved to have kicked off at 8am because I was ready… I couldn’t wait. I’d had my fry up and I wanted to face Wolves. It couldn’t come quick enough. I remember getting to the ground and walking in, seeing everyone. People were asking for my autograph – only a year before I had the pictures on my bedroom wall and was after the autographs.
‘I got into the changing room. Changed faster than anybody else. Went into the gym and played head tennis. As soon as the opportunity came to get out on the pitch I was out there. I wanted to savour every moment of it and take it all in. Back inside we had the team talk and Tony Book told me what my role was and that but, I have to tell you Gary, once I walked out on to that pitch I had nothing in my mind apart from getting every ball. I wanted the ball all the time and I chased, and pushed for it.’
Here’s a Manchester Evening News follow up piece to his debut, talking about the game and the player:
Gary Owen’s debut, 20 March 1976
This series of articles and features on Manchester City in the 1970s has been running throughout January and February with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others.
Subscribers get access to everything. If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? You could even subscribe for a month and see what you think. The following 5,320 word article is on the 1975-76 season and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!
Subscribe to get access – Monthly
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 below which gives greater access and works out much cheaper.
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (above) or £20 a year (here) to access everything posted since the site was created in December 2020. This special rate works out about £1.67 a week and gives access to everything posted, including PDFs of 3 of my books.
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.
The series of features/articles covering Manchester City in the 1970s continues with a 4,220 word article on the entire 1979-80 season – a season which saw heroes leave and spending get ridiculous!). My article, like the other indepth pieces, contains material from interviews I have performed with many of the key figures – chairman, managers, players and others. You can read this below.
This series of articles and features on Manchester City in the 1970s has been running throughout January and now into February with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others. Every day in January offered something to enjoy and I’ll continue this series for a little while yet. Thanks for all the positive comments about it.
Subscribers can access everything. If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? You could even subscribe for a month and see what you think. The following 4,220 word article is on the 1979-80 season and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!
Subscribe to get access – Monthly
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 below which gives greater access and works out much cheaper.
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (above) or £20 a year (here) to access everything posted since the site was created in December 2020. This special rate works out about £1.67 a week and gives access to everything posted, including PDFs of 3 of my books.
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.
Today’s 1970s flashback includes video of a brilliant goal by Peter Barnes during the 3-0 victory over Spurs by MCFC on this day (3 February) in 1979. You can watch the goal and the others in this game here (these highlights were shown on LWT’s Big Match on 4 February 1979:
This series of articles and features on Manchester City in the 1970s has been running throughout January and into February with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others.
Subscribers can access everything. If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? You could even subscribe for a month and see what you think. The following 5,700 word article is on the 1978-79 season and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!
Subscribe to get access – Monthly
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 below which gives greater access and works out much cheaper.
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (above) or £20 a year (here) to access everything posted since the site was created in December 2020. This special rate works out about £1.67 a week and gives access to everything posted, including PDFs of 3 of my books.
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.
Gary James' Football Archive 