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.
Manchester City’s amazing fight back against Tottenham on this day (4 February) in 2004 was the inspiration for a winning play (written by a female Spurs fan) in the Radio Five Live Short Story competition of 2005. The Blues had been losing 3-0 at half time in this FA Cup 4th round replay and down to ten men but an amazing fight back saw City win 4-3. The play was a story of commitment (it was clearly fiction – the City fan had walked out at half time!). Here’s the story of that game, with exclusive quotes from interviews I have performed, and highlights of the FAC replay:
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Tony Coleman was Manchester City’s regular penalty taker before Francis Lee. Lee later gained somewhat of a reputation at Manchester City for his penalties but it wasn’t until he’d been with the club for over three months that he netted his first at Maine Road. On this day (20 January) in 1968 Coleman’s substitution meant that Lee’s first City penalty was scored V Sheffield United (see photo of the goal).
City won that game 3-0 and, of course, ended the season as League champions.
I was 3 months old then and doubt I was at this game (although my parents used to take me as a baby). Were you at this match? If you were why not leave your memory as a comment or email it to me for possible future use on this website?
On this day (12th November) in 1975…
Attendance: 50,182; City 4 United 0 (League Cup 4th round)
A 35 second opener from Tueart and a world-class performance by Hartford give City total control of this tie. However few at Maine Road are able to celebrate as a fifth minute tackle by Buchan on Bell causes the influential City star to be stretchered away. City deserve the victory, but the cost is high.
I’ve written lots on Colin Bell over the years and I was fortunate to interview him a few times too. You can read some of the articles I’ve written here:
You can watch highlights of the game here:
On this day (6th November) in 1971…
Attendance: 63,326; City 3 United 3
In one of the great derbies more than 63,000 fans thrill to an all-action display of attack that epitomises all that is good about Manchester football. United take a two goal lead but the Blues keep fighting back. In the final minute Summerbee makes it 3-3 to end a classic match.
On this day (24 October) in 1956…
Attendance: 30,495; City 0 United 1 (first Charity Shield match between the sides)
The Champions beat the Cup holders under floodlights with a goal from local lad Dennis Violet. United are the better side while City seem a little pedestrian. Charity is much in evidence, however, as the Reds are allowed to replace ‘keeper Wood with their reserve David Gaskell when injury strikes.
On this day (7th October) in 1997 Steve Coppell became Manchester City’s manager. Here’s the story of that period with quotes from exclusive interviews I have performed with Coppell’s assistant Phil Neal.
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Everton, so often a bogey team back then for Manchester City, were defeated 2-0 on this day (2 October) in 2005. This was the first Sunday morning kick off in the Premier League and the match commenced at 11.15 with some fans making a point of the early start by wearing pyjamas. It was also Stephen Ireland’s first full Premiership game. Before the match he admitted to being “very nervous” and post-match he commented that the rest of the team had supported him: “That helped me ease my nerves and settle in as one of them.” You can see highlights and read more about the game below:
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For decades now Francis Lee’s name has been linked with the 1971-72 season and, especially, with him scoring a record number of penalties that season. He netted 13 penalties in a 42 game League season and it’s a record that still stands to this day. This record has often led to the suggestion that Lee ‘won’ more penalties than perhaps he ought to and so for this article I’ve analysed every penalty awarded and taken by Manchester City that season.
This analysis and commentary on Lee’s penalty record is available to subscribers.
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Thanks to everyone who attended tonight’s show. There were some excellent questions from the audience and some brilliant feedback too. Here’s a short video montage that gives an impression of the evening.
Thanks to all our guests. I’ll be posting more on this late next week. Thanks.
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