On this day (28 November) in 1964 one of Scotland’s greatest internationals of all time died. He was the former Partick, Manchester City, Oldham and Scotland half back Jimmy McMullan (seen leading out City in this photo). Here’s a MCFC profile of him I wrote a while back which, hopefully, explains a little as to why he should be remembered.
JAMES MCMULLAN (1926-33)
Half Back, 5ft 7in, 11st. 0lbs, b. Denny, 26 March 1895, d. Sheffield, 28 November 1964
Signed from Partick Thistle, 10 February 1926 (£4,700)
Transferred: Oldham Athletic, 15 May 1933
Career: Denny Hibernian, Third Lanark, Partick Thistle, Maidstone United player-manager, Partick Thistle, City, Oldham Athletic player-manager
One of Scotland’s greatest internationals of all time, left back Jimmy McMullan was already a significant star when the Blues signed him in 1926 for £4,700. Clearly his arrival was a major talking point, especially as this was during City’s managerless period when vice-chairman Albert Alexander took on the management of the players. Alexander must have possessed a great footballing brain and must have been a terrific negotiator as McMullan readily joined the Blues.
Within two months of his arrival McMullan was playing at Wembley in the FA Cup final. City lost that game and were also relegated on the last day of the season creating a new, if unwanted, record.
In 1927-8 he made 38 appearances and scored four goals as City won the Second Division title, and that same year McMullan captained Scotland to their most famous victory – a 5-1 defeat of England at Wembley. It was a highly embarrassing day for England, but a great one for the City man. He remained in the City side throughout the twenties and early thirties, and in 1933 he returned to Wembley again with the Club. Sadly, his second final also ended in defeat, and the following May he moved to Oldham as player-manager. He later had spells in charge at Aston Villa (their first official manager), Notts County, and Sheffield Wednesday. He was Wednesday’s manager in 1938-9 when his side drew 1-1 with City at Maine Road. Both sides were chasing promotion, and the single point was not enough for either side. Wednesday missed promotion by a point to arch rivals Sheffield United. In 1942, during the wartime seasons, McMullan’s contract was not renewed.
He passed away at the age of 69 while still living in Sheffield in 1964.
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The winners of the Armstrong Projects Northwest Football Awards (NWFA) 2024 have been revealed. 500 esteemed guests from across the footballing world attended the star-studded event, hosted by broadcasters Eilidh Barbour and Dion Dublin, at The Point at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. Winners were crowned in a range of player categories, alongside accolades for clubs, communities, and unsung heroes.
Jan Lyons, Margaret Shepherd and Margaret Whitworth, Manchester Corinthians at the North West Football Awards 2024
After another phenomenal season, Manchester City once again took centre stage, with Phil Foden named Premier League Player of the Season and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw earning the Women’s Player of the Season title for the second consecutive year. Manchester City teammate Khiara Keating was recognised as the Women’s Rising Star. For the red side of Manchester, Kobbie Mainoo collected the Men’s Rising Star award, capping off a sensational campaign for the England international.
In a heartfelt tribute, Ian Rush MBE was honoured with The Maurice Watkins CBE Lifetime Contribution Award, while the Billy Seymour Impact Award was presented to Joe Thompson for his continued inspirational impact on the footballing world.
Burnley FC Women’s Kirstie Levell was named Women’s Player of the Season for The FA Women’s National League, while Liam Lindsay, of Preston North End Football Club took home the Championships Player of the Season further showcasing talent in the Northwest region.
The community-focused aspect of football was also celebrated, with Everton in the Community retaining the title of Premier League Community Club of the Season, and Foundation 92 being recognised as the Community Club of the Season for all other leagues.
A special moment of acknowledgement came with the presentation of the Special Recognition Award for Services to Women’s Football to the legendary Manchester Corinthians, a club that has paved the way for generations of women in football.
You can find out more on the Corinthians across this website, but here’s their reaction to the award on the night:
Laura Wolfe, owner of the Armstrong Projects Northwest Football Awards, said:“What an incredible night. The talent on show this year, both on and off the pitch, continues to highlight the Northwest as a powerhouse of football. Congratulations to all the winners, finalists, and everyone who makes these awards so special – we have proved yet again that the power of the footballing community has the ability to bring the region together and we look forward to seeing clubs continue to make a positive difference.”
The awards not only celebrate footballing excellence but also honour the efforts of those working behind the scenes, with accolades such as the Fabrice Muamba Award for Outstanding Service to Football Medicine & Performance, which went to Ian Liversedge, and the Unsung Hero Award, which was presented to Dr Danielle Prescott.
Armstrong Projects’ Chris Hamlett added: “The Northwest Football Awards are a unique opportunity to champion the exceptional work being done across all levels of football in our region. Congratulations to all the winners and everyone involved in making this evening such a success.”
Armstrong Projects Northwest Football Awards 2024 – Full Winners List:
Community Initiative of the Season – Premier League (in association with the PFA) – Burnley FC in the Community – Academy in the Community
Community Initiative of the Season – All other Leagues (in association with the PFA) – Carlisle United Community Sports Trust – Komatsu Climate Heroes (HIGHLY COMMENDED)
– Morecambe FC Community Foundation – Veterans Project
Community Club of the Season – All other Leagues (in association with the PFA) – Foundation 92
Community Club of the Season – Premier League (in association with the PFA) – Everton in the Community
Women in Football Promoting Inclusion Award – Burnley FC in the Community – Interfaith Partnership with Building Bridges Burnley (HIGHLY COMMENDED)
– Cerebral Palsy United Football Club (Non-League Winner)
– Manchester United Foundation – Inclusive Reds (League Winner)
Best Club Marketing/Sponsorship or Engagement Campaign – Morecambe Football Club – #YourHomeFromHome Season Ticket Campaign
Business and Professional Services to Football – Foudys (HIGHLY COMMENDED)– Saffery
Fan Media, Channel or Podcast of the Season – The Redmen TV
Northwest Football Broadcaster of the Season – Giulia Bould – BBC Radio Merseyside and BBC Sport
Northwest Football Journalist of the Season – David Ornstein – The Athletic
Unsung Hero Award – Dr Danielle Prescott
Rising Star – Kobbie Mainoo – Manchester United Football Club
Women’s Rising Star – Khiara Keating – Manchester City Women’s Football Club
Player of the Season – National League – James Norwood – Oldham Athletic AFC
Player of the Season – League Two – Fraser Horsfall – Stockport County Football Club
Player of the Season – League One – Sam Tickle – Wigan Athletic Football Club
Player of the Season – Championship – Liam Lindsay – Preston North End Football Club
Player of the Season – Premier League – Phil Foden – Manchester City Football Club
Women’s Player of the Season – Barclays WSL & Barclays Women’s Championship – Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw – Manchester City Women’s Football Club
Women’s Player of the Season – The FA Women’s National League – Kirstie Levell – Burnley FC Women
Manager of the Season – Dave Challinor – Stockport County Football Club
Women’s Manager of the Season – Matt Beard – Liverpool Football Club Women
Billy Seymour Impact Award – Joe Thompson
Fabrice Muamba Award for Outstanding Service to Football Medicine & Performance (in association with the FMPA) – Ian Liversedge
The Maurice Watkins CBE Lifetime Contribution Award – Ian Rush MBE
Special Recognition Award for Services to Women’s Football – Manchester Corinthians
About the Armstrong Projects Northwest Football Awards:
The Armstrong Projects Northwest Football Awards is an annual event that recognises and celebrates footballing excellence in the Northwest region. From grassroots to elite level, the awards highlight the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals, clubs, and communities within the footballing community.
Happy 60th birthday to former Everton, Manchester City & Oldham player Neil Pointon. Back in 2005 when both he and I were much younger, I interviewed Neil at his home Here for subscribers is that interview as it appeared when published in April 2005:
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Today (27 November) is the anniversary of the women’s team’s first game. It was payed at Boundary Park and saw Oldham Athletic Ladies face Manchester City Ladies. I was there as my girlfriend, now wife, was playing. She scored two goals in the club’s 4-1 victory. Subscribers can read a 2,200 word long read on this historic first game. Enjoy!
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Continuing the series of features on Manchester City in the early 1900s! Today it’s 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.
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The series of articles covering Manchester City in the 1990s continues with a game against near neighbours Oldham Athletic on this day (8 March) in 1997. The Blues had been unbeaten in 8 consecutive League games since the arrival of Frank Clark in December. There had also been 2 victories in the FA Cup during that time (plus a frustratingly controversial 1-0 defeat at home to Middlesbrough) and so Clark was actually restoring some positivity to the club after a dismal start of the season had seen two permanent managers (Alan Ball and Steve Coppell) precede Clark. There were also temporary managerial spells by Asa Hartford and Phil Neal which lasted longer than Coppell’s permanent role! I’ll save all of that for another day! In the meantime more on the game with Oldham…
The match was watched by 30,729 – the third highest crowd of the day and only about 8,000 less than title challengers Arsenal (the best crowd of the day). Not bad for a second tier team that was struggling overall!
Uwe Rosler scored the only goal of the game but was booked afterwards for an over enthusiastic celebration. Oldham boss Neil Warnock wasn’t happy, claiming the goal should not have been allowed. Oh the days before VAR and the ability of both managers to be absolutely certain that what they say is the truth (wait a minute… VAR hasn’t resolved that even when the cameras prove the truth!). Here’s the match report….
For more on the 1990s why not subscribe and see everything I’m posting? You can start with this 1,300 word article on the end of the 1989-90 season. It is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!
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Continuing this series of features covering the 1980s for Manchester City… Today it’s back to this day (30 December) in 1989 and Manchester City v Millwall. That day David White scored twice as the Blues won 2-0 at Maine Road in the top flight. Today that first goal would probably get debated at length when VAR eventually brings a decision but back then we just celebrated and enjoyed the moment.
You can watch the goals from this game below. It’s great to see the second goal involves Paul Lake and White seemed determined it would go in no matter what. Enjoy!
If you want to know more about the entire 1989-90 season then become a subscriber and read the following 8,000 word article on that season. Enjoy!
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Happy Boxing Day! Continuing this series of features covering the 1980s for Manchester City… Today it’s back to this day (26 December) in 1989 and Manchester City. v Norwich. Watch these video highlights for two disallowed goals and an effort from Clive Allen. VAR officials and TV companies would love these two disallowed goals now. They’d be replaying them over and over again before deciding whether the goals should stand or not. See what you think.
Manchester City won the match at Maine Road 1-0.
If you want to know more about that weekend and the entire 1989-90 season then become a subscriber and read the following 8,000 word article on that season. Enjoy!
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Continuing this series of features covering the 1980s for Manchester City… Today it’s back to December 1989 and this reminder of the Junior Blues pantomime ‘Brother Goose’. This City panto was a key annual event from the late 1960s through to the 2000s, having been established in the years before the Junior Blues. Once the Junior Blues was in existence though it seemed logical that the panto would become part and parcel of the junior supporters club.
‘Brother Goose’ of course referenced City’s sponsor of the time Brother.
As you can see from this programme feature on the 1989 panto City’s first team players and coaching staff were often involved and over the years some of the club’s biggest names appeared.
Did you attend a panto or were you one of the people working behind the scenes to make them a huge success? Feel free to post your memories here.
If you want to know more about the entire 1989-90 season then become a subscriber and read the following 8,000 word article on that season. Enjoy!
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Continuing this series of features covering the 1980s for Manchester City… Today it’s back to this day (17 December) in 1989 and Everton v Manchester City. It’s a goalless game but this match is important as it’s new City manager Howard Kendal’s return to Goodison right at the start of his MCFC career. You can watch a brief interview with Kendall before the match action. City wearing their maroon and white stripes away kit with maroon shorts here. Enjoy!
If you want to know more about that weekend and the entire 1989-90 season then become a subscriber and read the following 8,000 word article on that season. Enjoy!
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