Category Archives: Manchester Derbies

The 1910s: 1912-1913 Mangnall Walks Out On United 

The new series of features on Manchester City in the 1910s continues today with a 2800 word article on the 1912-13 season – A season which saw United’s most successful manager (at the time) walk out on the Reds to become City’s manager (he believed that City, with the larger pulling power, was a more ambitious club). If you’re a subscriber you can read all about that and the rest of the season below. If you’re not a subscriber then why not sign up for a month and see what you think?

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Fancy Christmas Day in an Armchair at United v City?

It’s Christmas Day 1902 and these were the ticket prices for the big Manchester Derby match played at Clayton (the present day BMX site next to the velodrome). The game ended in a 1-1 draw. It’s so strange to think today that many of us would have headed off to a ground on Christmas Day in years gone by. Notice the seats that you could have at United – arm chairs! That’s right. It’s Christmas Day so I’ll hold off making any funny comments but imagine if Old Trafford advertised ‘arm chairs’.

Merry Christmas to all. I hope it’s a safe, comfortable and enjoyable few days for you all wherever you are.

The Last City Derby Hat-trick Until Haaland & Foden

On this day (12 December) in 1970 a hat-trick from Francis Lee was City’s last hat-trick in a Manchester derby until Haaland and Foden in October 2022! The 1970 game also saw a goal from Mike Doyle to gave City a comfortable 4-1 victory over Manchester United before an Old Trafford crowd of 52,636.  That victory meant City had won 5 and only dropped 4 points in 8 consecutive League derby meetings with the Reds. There was also a devastating injury to Glyn Pardoe (more on that in another post!). Here is the background, report and verdict of that game…

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Nobby Stiles Has “Dialogue” with Manchester City Fans

Today (3 December) in 1969 saw this image of United star Nobby Stiles having ‘dialogue’ as the original caption claims with City fans at the Platt Lane end of Maine Road. This was the first leg of the League Cup semi final and City won the leg 2-1 with goals from Colin Bell and Franny Lee. You can watch highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0Y1KpM49Og

Manchester’s two top flight clubs met in their first ever League Cup tie between them during the 1969-70 season. That was the first season when all 92 League clubs entered the competition.

Here, for subscribers, is the background to each of the 1969-70 semi-final legs and a report on each game with lineups, attendance details etc.

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Malcolm Allison Autographed Copy of The Pride of Manchester

As part of my tidy-up of my collection I have a copy of The Pride of Manchester signed by Malcolm Allison available if anyone wants to buy it. I’m open to offers and will accept the best offer received by Sunday 30 November. The book was published in 1991 and originally retailed at £21.95. It was, at the time, the full history of the men’s Manchester Derby.

The dedication by Big Mal is ‘To Gary’, so if you’ve got a Gary in your family maybe it would be worth buying it for them. I’ll also be happy to write a personal dedication for the buyer.

Malcolm signed this copy when I interviewed him at his home in Yarm about Joe Mercer in 1992-93. The dustjacket is damaged a little with wear and tear at top and bottom. The book is over 30 years old so inevitably will show some wear and tear, but is in a good condition overall.

Minimum offer is £26 to cover UK postage and book original value.

To make your offer email Gary@GJFootballArchive.com with your bid (including UK postage; I won’t be blue to post this outside the UK unfortunately). I’ll review all offers on 30 November and will let everybody know as soon as I can after that.

A Classic Manchester Derby From 1971

Here’s film of the 6 November 1971 Manchester Derby which ended 3-3. Well worth watching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_KgV5f55Qg

You can find out more about the 1971-72 season for Manchester City in the this 4,700 word article on the entire season – a hugely significant season though one that’s often neglected. This is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!

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Memorial Cards: Sledging Rivals in 1912

I’ve posted this before but it’s always worth another look. It is believed the memorial card seen here was printed to mark Manchester United’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City on December 28 1912. Cards like these were popular at most high profile games and in Manchester there was a significant industry behind football funeral cards.

They seem a bit macabre today in our half-half friendship version of professional football but back then cards were used to highlight games frequently. I’ve written and talked a lot on this over the years.

Here for subscribers I’d like to provide an overview of the industry, how it existed, what activities were carried out and provide a potted history of the funeral card business. This is about 3,500 words, so get yourself a brew and settle down to read…

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5-1! We beat United 5-1!

On this day (23 September 1989) bargain basement Manchester City defeated big spending Manchester United 5-1 in the Manchester Derby. It was a game that entered Mancunian folklore. These days beating United is a lot more commonplace than it was back then, so if you’d like to understand how and why this became an important, never to be forgotten day then read the following 1700 word article…

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Arsenal 0 Manchester City 1

On this day (17 September) in 1921 Manchester City defeated Arsenal for the second time in a week. This time the Blues won 1-0 at Arsenal with a goal from Horace Barnes. You can read more on Manchester City during this season if you subscribe (see below). I hope you enjoy it. If you are not currently a subscriber then why not try it for a month (£3 per month or sign up for a year at a discounted £20 per year)?

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As well as subscriber pieces this series on the 1920s includes some free articles. Watch out for a daily post.

The First Manchester Derby of the 1920s

As we’re building up to the Derby here’s the latest in the series of features on MCFC in the 1920s… The first Manchester Derby of the 1920s took place at Old Trafford on 20 November 1920. You can read background, statistics and a report on that game below:

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For more on this season why not read the following 2,350 word subscriber article. If you subscribe (see below) I hope you enjoy it. If you are not currently a subscriber then why not try it for a month (£3 per month or sign up for a year at a discounted £20 per year)?

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As well as subscriber pieces this series on the 1920s includes some free articles. Watch out for a daily post.