Football writing, thoughts and more by Gary James
On this day (10th February) in 1979…
Attendance: 46,151; City 0 United 3
Malcolm Allison’s bold prediction of how great City’s victory will be is ridiculed as the Blues are heavily defeated by a Steve Coppell inspired United. City are a well-beaten side while United win at a canter with Andy Ritchie comfortably netting the third twenty minutes from time.
On this day (10 February) in 2008 a highly emotional Manchester derby paid tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Munich air crash. After a minute’s silence was impeccably observed the game ended in a City win.
Here’s the BBC report of the game:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7223971.stm
On this day (9 February) in 2003 Shaun Goater went down in history for a remarkable appearance as substitute. The Goat came on and scored for City a mere 9 seconds after coming on to the field. The story of this game was written up a couple of years ago for an update of my 1991 book The Pride Of Manchester (co-written with Steve Cawley). Sadly, that book was never updated, though Steve and I put considerable effort into creating all the content.
Here, exclusively for subscribers, is the story of that game as drafted to appear in the updated but aborted Pride Of Manchester.
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On this day (23 January) in 1926 Manchester United were defeated 6-1 at Old Trafford by managerless Manchester City. This remains the record score in a Manchester derby match (equalled of course during Mancini’s time as manager of Manchester City).
More on the game for subscribers here:
Sadly, highlights of that game are not known to have survived, but here’s the first All-Manchester FA Cup semi-final played between the two teams that same season:
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/an-all-lancashire-cup-final/
I doubt there’s anyone alive who was at either of these Manchester derbies, though I am aware of fans who would have been young children at tbis time. If you were there please get in touch, or if you were why at the later 6-1 City victory at Old Trafford then why not leave your memory as a comment or email it to me for possible future use on this website?
I know I’ve written plenty about Colin Bell over the years but, to be frank, you can never read or write enough about Bell. So for today’s subscriber article here’s a 1,900 word piece (plus videos of the Ballet On Ice game and his first return game v Derby in April 1976 – yes that’s right!) on the legendary Manchester City and Bury footballer. Enjoy!
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £20 for an annual subscription (here; access everything from December 2020) or £3 per month (below; access everything since 1 October 2022).
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £20 for an annual subscription (above; access everything from December 2020) or £3 per month (here; access everything since 1 October 2022).
It’s Derby Day! Why not get in the mood for today’s game at Old Trafford by having a look at the hundreds of articles on here about the Derby, City and United? The following links will connect you to some great content.
This is a link to all articles tagged as Manchester Derby:
https://gjfootballarchive.com/category/manchester-derbies/
Here are those specifically tagged as City:
https://gjfootballarchive.com/category/manchester-city/
And these are specifically tagged as United:
https://gjfootballarchive.com/category/manchester-united/
Enjoy!
I spent much of the day at Hotel Football being interviewed about the history of the #ManchesterDerby. An edited version (I obviously went on a bit!) will be shown on TV in Scandinavia in the build up to the game tomorrow. It was great to explain how the history of Manchester football has developed, including support and more.
The interviewer was Jakob Krupa from Viaplay. If you’re in Scandinavia I hope you get chance to see it.
Heavy snow fall across the country threatened fixtures in January 2010, then on Tuesday 5 January, a day before it was scheduled to be played, the all-Manchester League Cup semi-final was called off. Manchester City’s pitch was perfectly playable, however traffic chaos in Manchester was an issue.
The Blues had been desperate for the match to be played as the mood seemed perfect for a City victory. There was a great deal of positivity. Similarly, at United a FA Cup defeat to Leeds had increased the pressure on the Reds. By the time the two sides did face each other the momentum had changed.
I was in the North Stand when this game was eventually played. Were you at the game when it took place? If you were why not leave your memory as a comment or email it to me for possible future use on this website?
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If you have enjoyed this free post and would like to support my research and writing then please subscribe. Monthly subscribers (£3 per month, cancel anytime and sign up here) get access to everything posted on the site since 1 October 2022. Not only that but you’ll be helping to support this site’s development.
DERBY: 2
DATE 5th January 1895
DIVISION Two
VENUE Clayton
ATTENDANCE 12,000
NEWTON HEATH 4 (Clarkin 2, Donaldson, Smith)
MANCHESTER CITY 1 (Sharples)
Newton Heath: William DOUGLAS, John McCARTNEY, Fred ERENTZ, Harry STONES, James McNAUGHT, William STEWART, John CLARKIN, Robert DONALDSON, James DOW, Richard SMITH, James PETERS. Manager: Alf Albut
Manchester City: Charlie WILLIAMS, John WALKER, David ROBSON, Harry SMITH, Robert JONES, John McBRIDE, Billy MEREDITH, Pat FINNERHAN, Sandy ROWAN, William McREDDlE, James SHARPLES. Manager: Joshua Parlby
See more of this content when you subscribe today.
See more of this content when you subscribe today.
Glyn Pardoe came close to having his leg amputated on this day (12 December) in 1970 following a foul by George Best in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford. I interviewed Pardoe about his career in 2004 and here for subscribers are his views of the tackle and subsequent injury, together with a few contemporary articles from 1970. It became one of the most controversial derby moments of all time and arguments raged for years on whether it had been a deliberate act or not. You can be the judge by reading Pardoe’s views and the contemporary media.
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. Annual subscribers pay £20 per year to access all material posted since December 2020 and all articles throughout the life of their subscription. Monthly subscribers pay £3 per month (see below).
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. Monthly subscribers pay £3 per month to access all material posted since 1st October 2022 and all articles throughout the life of their subscription. Annual subscribers pay £20 per year (see above).
You can read more about the game itself here:
A Derby Hat-trick
Gary James' Football Archive 