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)?

Here’s the article:

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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 1920s: A Neighbour In Need

The new series on Manchester City in the 1920s continues today with a 2,350 word subscriber article on the 1920-21 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)?

Here’s the article:

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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 a month (cancel anytime) or sign up for a year at £20 per year. Subscribers have access to the 1000s of articles, features, interviews etc. posted so far and all those posted during your subscription.

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

Manchester City Main Stand Burns Down

Only a few months after the King had visited Manchester City suffered a major blow when their Main Stand was destroyed by fire (6 November) 1920. Subscribers can read the story of this below (including the story of how City asked United if they could use Old Trafford temporarily which resulted in significant criticism of the Reds in national newspapers) but here’s a rare image that hasn’t been published in any Manchester City publication over the last century or so. It did appear in a contemporary newspaper. Notice the Ellison’s Rush Preventive turnstile that seems to have just about survived.

When City moved to Maine Road quite a few of these turnstiles were taken from Hyde Road and re-erected at Maine Road. In 2003 6 Ellisons turnstiles from the 1890s were still in place and in use during Maine Road’s final season.

In the years that followed the Hyde Rd fire there was a story that developed that the fire was the result of a Irish republican terrorist attack and that both Hyde Rd and Old Trafford were targets. The Old Trafford planned attack was foiled and has been written about in contemporary sources but Hyde Rd’s story cam much later. It doesn’t seem to be the case that the Hyde Rd fire was the result of terrorist activity – if there’s interest then maybe I’ll write the latest research on this in the coming months?

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