Category Archives: Stockport County

The 1990s: Goater’s First Goal

The series of features covering Manchester City in the 1990s continues today with a video of Shaun Goater’s first goal for the Blues. It came on this day (4 April) in 1998 when City defeated near neighbours Stockport County 4-1 at Maine Road. As well as Goater’s first goal Richard Jobson also netted his first City goal while Lee Bradbury scored two (yes!). You can watch highlights here:

Enjoy those goals!

While you’re here why not read this 9,500 word article on that season. It’s available to subscribers, so why not subscribe and relive this season and an extraordinary decade? As with all these 1990s subscriber features it contains material from interviews I’ve performed with key figures from that time.

Here’s the 9500 word article on that season:

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This series of articles and features will run throughout March with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others. There will be flashbacks to great games, players and more. Every day in March will offer something to enjoy.

Subscribers will get access to everything, while some on this day material will be free for all to view.

If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? If you’d like to know more about subscribing then see:

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A Strange Situation

The 8th of October marks the anniversary of one of those ‘one game wonders’ who played for Manchester City. On this day in 1988 defender Bill Williams made his one and only appearance for City’s first team when he came on as substitute for Mark Seagraves in the Blues’ 1-0 defeat at Ipswich Town. He did make seven reserve appearances but that game at Ipswich was the only first team appearance.

It was a strange situation because City had signed him from Stockport where he had developed a good reputation in defence and as captain. Asa Hartford was the Stockport boss at the time and was sorry to see Williams leave but told the press that he couldn’t do much because of the glamour associated with City.

Williams returned to Stockport on 1 December and fans of both clubs seemed confused. At Edgeley Park County fans were delighted he’d returned but at Maine Road rumours circulated. City had sold him back to County for a discount price and had managed to get special dispensation off the League – back then a player could not be sold back to his original club within the same season.

There were rumours that Williams had a business (painting and decorating if my memory is correct – anyone remember?) and that by joining City he needed to spend more time training etc. than at County and that, ultimately, that meant he couldn’t earn as much at Maine Road as he had while working for himself and playing at Stockport. I’m not certain if that is true but that’s the rumour that circulated.

Whatever the situation, City lost money on the deal and Williams became a one hit wonder for the Blues.

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New Monthly Football Column – Manchester Confidential

I’ve got some good news to report. From today Manchester Confidential will be publishing my new monthly column on football in Greater Manchester. Each month I’ll be focusing on a different club from the region and will write a piece combining the team’s modern day situation with a historical angle. My first feature is about Manchester United and next month’s piece will be about Manchester City. Follow the link below for this month’s first article:

https://confidentials.com/manchester/manchester-united-looking-backward-to-push-forward?id=63c9274f540ba

I do intend covering the League clubs of Greater Manchester, plus some of our other prominent sides, over the coming months. I hope you enjoy them. Thanks.

County Beat City

On this day (7 December) in 1999 came one of Stockport County’s most celebrated victories of all time when they defeated Manchester City in a (2nd tier) League meeting at Maine Road before 32,686. Here are highlights (or lowlights depending on which team you support):

A ‘Keeper’s Debut

On this day (23 November) in 1957 Manchester City goalkeeper Steve Fleet made his debut in a 4-3 defeat by League leaders Wolves. I’ve met and interviewed Steve often over the years and here’s a 2,500 interview I did with him where he talks about the circumstances around his debut, the game (it was an extraordinary match) and the rest of his career. I’ve also included a match report. Enjoy!

This is available to subscribers (see below).

  

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Manchester City Season – 1997-98

Not the best season to focus on but here for subscribers is the latest post covering the 1997-98 season for Manchester City. Those were the days hey? Enjoy – if you can. Well, at least City have won a few trophies since then.

Manager

Frank Clark had been appointed manager during the previous season, but was replaced by popular former Blue Joe Royle in February 1998.

League Overview

1997-98 was expected to see an end to the troubles and misery of the previous seasons.  It was anticipated Frank Clark would develop a side capable of seeking promotion.  The Blues had struggled to find form under each of the managers appointed since the dismissal of Brian Horton in 1995 and Chairman Francis Lee was facing much criticism.  Everyone recognised that the 1997-8 season had to see improvement. 

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Manchester A Football History part 33

This is the thirty-second chapter of the 2010 edition of the book Manchester A Football History (Gary James, published by James Ward). As with everything else on this site copyright laws apply. The book is published here for the personal use of subscribers to this site. For any other use please email the publishers at info@manchesterfootball.org

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Manchester A Football History part 32

This is the thirty-first chapter of the 2010 edition of the book Manchester A Football History (Gary James, published by James Ward). As with everything else on this site copyright laws apply. The book is published here for the personal use of subscribers to this site. For any other use please email the publishers at info@manchesterfootball.org

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If you would like to read this piece and all the other in-depth articles (including the entire Manchester A Football History book) then please subscribe below. It works out about £1.67 a month if you take out an annual subscription (£20 per year) or £3 a month if you’d like to sign up for a month at a time. Each subscriber gets full access to the 200+ articles posted so far and the hundreds scheduled to be posted in the coming weeks.

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Manchester A Football History part 30

This is the twenty-ninth chapter of the 2010 edition of the book Manchester A Football History (Gary James, published by James Ward). As with everything else on this site copyright laws apply. The book is published here for the personal use of subscribers to this site. For any other use please email the publishers at info@manchesterfootball.org

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Manchester A Football History part 29

This is the twenty-eighth chapter of the 2010 edition of the book Manchester A Football History (Gary James, published by James Ward). As with everything else on this site copyright laws apply. The book is published here for the personal use of subscribers to this site. For any other use please email the publishers at info@manchesterfootball.org

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