30 Years Ago Today: Horton’s Blues v QPR

Thirty years ago today (25 October 1994) Manchester City faced QPR in the League Cup in what was an incredible game that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The Blues had already disposed of Barnet 5-2 on aggregate in the second round and clearly expected to put in a good performance at Loftus Road. Sadly, within a minute they conceded a goal just as they had in the earlier League Cup match at Barnet and Brian Horton’s side suffered for a while. By the 37th minute they managed to get their act together a little and Summerbee equalised with a 20 yard volley. A minute later Rangers took the lead again. 

Fortunately, in the 46th minute Keith Curle netted a penalty to bring City level once again, followed eight minutes later by a magnificent Beagrie volley which made it 3-2 and brought a series of somersaults from the popular ex-Evertonian. Five minutes later, the same player headed through to Lomas who made it 4-2. 

In the 87th minute Rangers pulled a goal back (4-3) to keep City on their toes, but the referee’s whistle signalled the start of a party for the fans while their QPR equivalents began to demonstrate against their chairman.  Apparently, some unhappy QPR fans were keen to listen to the advice of a few experienced Mancunian demonstrators! 

You can watch highlights of the game here:

The victory gave City a home tie against Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United.

6-1 Manchester Derby

On this day (23 October) in 2011 Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City defeated Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United 6-1 in the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford. The City goals came from Mario Balotelli 22, 60; Sergio Aguero 69; Edin Dzeko 90, 90+3; and David Silva 90+1. United’s was scored by Darren Fletcher 81.

MCFC have highlights of the game here:

https://www.mancity.com/citytv/match-highlights/2011/october/united-v-city-extended-highlights-23-oct

The City win equalled the record score in a Manchester derby – also set by City and also in a League derby at Old Trafford (in a season City also got relegated!). You can read about that one here:

John Bond Arrives

On this day (17 October) in 1980 John Bond was officially appointed Manchester City’s manager. The season would end with him guiding the Blues to the FA Cup final.

Back in November 1995 I interviewed John at his home. At the time I was researching my in-depth history of the club called Manchester The Greatest City (later updated as Manchester The City Years).

I met John at his home and spent a good few hours with him chatting about the Blues and his career. I loved doing this interview and was always grateful for the time he gave me. He was quite frank, open and honest – which delighted me because he was a great talker. He was also happy for me to quote everything he said in the interview. I did end up quoting him extensively in the book (and in others I’ve produced).

You can listen to the first 17 minutes of the interview here. He talks about the steps taken by City to appoint him; the interview (and the directors involved in that notorious filmed interview for the City documentary in 1980-81); the signing of Tommy Hutchison, Bobby McDonald and Gerry Gow. As I said earlier, he is quite frank in his comments and that may surprise a few.

This audio recording of the first 17 minutes of the interview is available to subscribers. If you want to listen then please subscribe below. Other sections can be listened to (see below for details).

Of course as this interview was recorded on my old cassette recorder the quality isn’t the best but I’m working on improving that for future pieces.

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The other parts of the interview are available here:

I’ve also posted an obituary I wrote to John here:

Sunday Morning Blues

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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Elano’s Wonder Goal

On this day (29 September) in 2007 goals from Petrov (38 mins), Mpenza (47) and Elano (87) helped Manchester City to a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United.  Elano’s goal came from a truly outstanding free kick and was his first goal for the club. You can see highlights of the game here:

Everton Defeated

Five years ago today (28 September 2019) Manchester City defeated Everton 3-1 before 39,222 at Goodison Park. The City scorers were Jesus, Mahrez and Sterling and you can see highlights of the game below:

https://www.mancity.com/citytv/match-highlights/2019/september/everton-man-city-extended-highlights-video-premier-league

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Horton’s City v Newcastle

As it’s Newcastle v Manchester City tomorrow I thought I’d post a flashback to a game from 30 years ago (yes, it really is that long ago!). Sit back and enjoy this read…

When high-flying Newcastle (they were third) arrived at Maine Road in April 1994 many expected the Geordies to embarrass City, particularly as the Blues were struggling at the other end of the table, but a determined performance brought City the points and the plaudits.

Maine Road’s second largest crowd of the season felt a little apprehensive in the opening period – especially when Newcastle’s £700,000 purchase Scot Sellars netted in the 19th minute.  The worry didn’t last however, and as the match progressed Brian Horton’s Blues began to excel.  After 33 minutes Paul Walsh scored a deserved equaliser, and then 3 minutes into the second half defender David Brightwell scored the winner.  This was the unlikely hero’s first goal for the club and pre-match bookmakers Ladbrookes had offered odds of 66-1 for him to score.   Immediately after netting he was mobbed by Paul Walsh, Peter Beagrie, and David Rocastle.

For the rest of the match City appeared confident and were certainly good value for money, matching Newcastle throughout.  An ecstatic crowd gave the Blues a tremendous ovation at the whistle with the talents of Beagrie, Walsh, and Rosler gaining particular praise.  Afterwards Kevin Keegan gave the Blues further praise – something he repeated two years later in an equally thrilling 3-3 draw between a Geordie side six points clear at the top, and a City side slipping towards relegation. 

The season ended with Newcastle in third place, and City in 16th position – 3 points above the relegation zone.

You can watch highlights here:

Stats:  Premier League 9th April 1994.

City 2 Newcastle United 1

Scorers – City: Walsh, Brightwell (D)

Newcastle: Sellers

City:  Dibble, Hill, Brightwell D., McMahon, Curle, Vonk, Rocastle, Karl (Lomas), Rosler, Walsh, Beagrie

Attendance: 33,774 

You can read much more on that season here:

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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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.

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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.