The 1932 FA Cup Semi-Final

In 1932 Manchester City and Arsenal faced each other in the FA Cup semi-final. It was the Blues’ third semi appearance in eight years and they would go on to better this stage in each of the following two seasons. This semi was controversial and it had major repercussions for City. You can read the full story (and watch highlights) below:

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City 2 Norwich 1

On this day (15 September) in 1990 Manchester City defeated Norwich 2-1 with goals from Mark Brennan and Niall Quinn. Fleck scored for Norwich. You can watch highlights here:

While you’re here why not find out more about the 1990-91 season when a shock managerial departure could have disrupted the club but ultimately they finished 5th, 3 points ahead of Manchester United. Here’s a 2,700 word article on that season:

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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) to access everything posted since 1 October 2022 or there’s a special annual rate below which gives greater access and works out much cheaper.

Subscribe to get access – Annual

Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (above) or £20 a year (here) to access everything posted since the site was created in December 2020. This special rate works out about £1.67 a week and gives access to everything posted, including PDFs of 3 of my books.

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:

Film of Manchester City 6-1 Brentford

With Manchester City facing Brentford today, here’s a nice bit of footage from 23 January 1932 of the two teams meeting at Maine Road. The 1930s was a good era for both clubs – in fact Brentford challenged City for the 1936-37 League title (as you’ll see if you read my programme feature in today’s match programme). The game shown here is a FA Cup tie at Maine Rd in front of 56,190.

The game is the second on this film and starts after about 1 minute 25 seconds. Watch out for some lads obviously playing up for the camera at the start of the City-Brentford clip. My favourite is the lad who larks around with his coat (below image).

There’s also a cracking City goal right at the end of the clip. Enjoy! You may need to copy the following address into your browser to get the clip to play:

https://www.britishpathe.com/video/hard-luck-for-the-wolves

City’s scorers were Tilson (3), Brook (2) and Halliday.

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ITV National News: Corinthians

Next month it will be a year since our special day when the plans I’d been working on for five years came to fruition with the unveiling of the blue plaque to recognise the pioneering Manchester Corinthians. It all came together nicely. In terms of media coverage one of the highlights was the ITV national news who did an excellent feature. You can still watch it here if you missed it:

https://www.itv.com/watch/news/manchester-honours-the-team-who-defied-an-fa-ban-on-womens-football/ckpxws1

ITV had already featured the plaque unveiling on their Granada Reports show earlier that day:

https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2023-10-06/honour-for-one-of-the-oldest-womens-football-teams

There was also coverage on BBC North West Tonight (sadly that’s no longer visible online) and various radio stations. There was also a Channel Five News feature too.

I’ve explained frequently how I’m writing the history of the Corinthians and the plaque unveiling was all part of the longstanding project I set up years ago to highlight the incredible work of these women (and other women’s clubs in Manchester).

You can find out more on the book which will be published later this year here:

There are lots of images from the unveiling on this site, along with stories about the Corinthians. You can find out more on the appeal and on their history here:

1920s Manchester Derby Day Rivals

Here’s an interesting clip from this day (9 September) in 1977 featuring two Manchester football fans. This was shown on the BBC north west regional news programme on the eve of the Manchester Derby and originally would’ve included a voiceover which, sadly, has not survived.

The BBC’s David Davies talks with Nellie Walker, a supporter of Manchester City since the mid 1920s and Charlie Swinchatt, who had supported Manchester United since that time too.

https://bbcrewind.co.uk/asset/61d8676881037f0022f61528?q=Manchesteru0026amp;size=30

The derby the following day ended in a 3-1 City win with Brian Kidd netting a couple. You can view highlights here:

City 2 Villa 1

On this day (5 September) in 1990 Manchester City defeated Aston Villa 2-1 with goals from Neil Pointon and Mark Ward. There was also a devastating injury for our young hero Paul Lake. You can watch highlights of the game and the drama here:

While you’re here why not find out more about the 1990-91 season when a shock managerial departure could have disrupted the club but ultimately they finished 5th, 3 points ahead of Manchester United. Here’s a 2,700 word article on that season:

Subscribe to get access – Monthly

Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) to access everything posted since 1 October 2022 or there’s a special annual rate below which gives greater access and works out much cheaper.

Subscribe to get access – Annual

Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (above) or £20 a year (here) to access everything posted since the site was created in December 2020. This special rate works out about £1.67 a week and gives access to everything posted, including PDFs of 3 of my books.

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:

Quinn and Hill: Defeat For Forest

On this day (4 September) in 1991 Manchester City defeated Nottm Forest 2-1 at Maine Road. You can watch highlights here:

The goals were scored by Niall Quinn and a late header from Andy Hill. Forest’s goal was by future United player Teddy Sheringham. While you’re here why not read this 2100 word article on MCFC in the 1991-92 season? It’s available to subscribers below:

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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) to access everything posted since 1 October 2022 or there’s a special annual rate below which gives greater access and works out much cheaper.

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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (above) or £20 a year (here) to access everything posted since the site was created in December 2020. This special rate works out about £1.67 a week and gives access to everything posted, including PDFs of 3 of my books.

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Blue Moon on Colin Murray Show

On Sunday 1 September 2024 I was on Colin Murray’s show (BBC Radio 5 Live) discussing the origins of Blue Moon with Colin and Pat Nevin. There was a great introduction at the start of the show (thanks Colin. Appreciated) and the main feature was on after about 33 minutes. There’s a powerful rendition played from the last day at Maine Road.

You can listen to the entire show here (or skip to 33 minutes if you only want the Blue Moon feature):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0022jmv

Both Colin and Pat are good guys who know their stuff. They talked positively of Manchester City’s anthem and I was delighted with the way it all went. Have a listen if you can.

Also, if you want to know about MCFC chants why not watch this talk I did a few years back on crowds and chanting:

If you enjoy all the free material on my website and would like to support my research and keep this website going (but don’t want to subscribe) then why not make a one-time donation (or buy me a coffee). All support for my research is valued and welcome. It allows me to keep some free material available for all. Thanks.

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Former Manchester City Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson Has Died

Former City and England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has died at the age of 76. My thoughts are with is family and friends.

Back in 2007 Sven arrived at Manchester City and brought positivity, entertainment and so much more in an extraordinary season. The season began with a great start which included City defeating Fergie’s United 1-0 in Sven’s first derby. His City career ended with him having a 100% win record in the derby. Here’s a video of Geovanni’s goal:

Thanks Sven for a great season.

David White Double v Liverpool

On this day (21 August) a Wednesday night meeting with Liverpool ended in a 2-1 victory for Manchester City. You can see highlights of the game (and relive the days of night matches on the Kippax/at Maine Rd) including two David White goals here: