Oldham Athletic – Gary James' Football Archive

Darren Beckford

I’ve just heard the news of Darren Beckford’s passing at the age of 59. Darren played for a variety of clubs but began his career with Manchester City and spent four years at Oldham Athletic. he also had two spells at Bury. My thoughts are with his family, friends and of course his brother Jason.

Darren was born on 12 May 1957 and became a forward with City, making his debut as substiture iv Middlesbrough in October 1984. His full debut came at Leeds on 8 April 1985.

In total he made 12 appearances in City’s first team, leaving the Blues for Norwich City on 7 June 1991. He joined Oldham in March 1993 and was with them until February 1997.

Throughout his time at City he was much loved by fans who hoped that he’d get a decent run in the first team. In the reserves and youth teams his skills were clear but some of the managerial change and player churn at City meant his first team chances were limited.

90 Years Ago Today: City v Sunderland

90 years ago today (31 October) a crowd of 38,444 watched Manchester City lose 4-2 at home to Sunderland. Here’s the League table from before that game. Notice the clubs at the top and spread throughout the top flight: always worth remembering that football clubs that claim to be today’s giants were not always the game’s elite. Arsenal, for example, didn’t start winning trophies until the 1930s, whereas City, Villa, Newcastle and Everton had won their first trophies decades earlier (and each were the best supported teams in the League multiple times before Arsenal, United and Liverpool achieved that accolade). Here’s the cover and team sheet page of the programme for this game. Look at the adverts too – any one fancy going to see Ted Ray and Hylda Baker after the match?

My series on Manchester City in the 1930s continues with a 2,500 word subscriber article on the 1936-37 season. If you subscribe (see below) I hope you enjoy it. If you don’t subscribe 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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City v Oldham Reserves

90 years ago today (24 October) Manchester City reserves defeated Oldham Athletic reserves 3-0 at Maine Road. Here’s the cover and team sheet page of the programme for this game. Look at the adverts too – any one fancy going to see George Robey and Jimmy James after the match?

Here’s the article:

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The Smart Set – Club Colours in the 1930s

On 28 November 1931 the Liverpool Echo published this George Green cartoon of the kits worn by several leading clubs of the period. I thought I’d post it here to show how these things were often portrayed in the newspapers of the day. Thanks.

While you’re here I’d like to thank you for taking the time and trouble to visit my website. I have been researching and writing about Manchester football for a long time (no wonder I’m going grey!) with my first book published in 1989. I am not employed by anyone and I do not have sponsorship either and so I’ve set up this website to help share my 32 years plus writing and research. The intention is to develop the archive and to provide access to as much of my material as possible over the coming weeks, months & years. Subscribers can already access hundreds of articles/posts including the entire Manchester A Football History book and various audio interviews (including John Bond, Malcolm Allison & George Graham).

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Great Photo of Manchester City fans in 1909

Here’s a great cutting from the Daily Mirror from 23 August 1909 showing City fans at Hyde Road for the public practice match that season. really atmospheric. The other images show first choice ‘keeper Walter Smith in action. THe 1909-10 season was a good one for City and you can read a review of that season below.

This is an article on the 1909-10 season when the Blues returned to the First Division as champions after a one season absence. If you’re a subscriber you can read this below.

If you’re not a subscriber then why not sign up for a month and see what you think?

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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) or sign up a year at a time for the discounted annual fee of £20. This gives access to everything on the site, including PDFs of 3 of my books and various other articles, interviews and audio material. Each subscriber has access to all content posted during their subscription period too. Why not sign up for a month and see what you think?