Tag Archives: Fionan Fagan

Amazing Comebacks?

I’ve been asked if Manchester City have ever thrown away a four goal lead… I’ve not started searching but there is a game in 1957 that saw City throw away a 3-0 lead in the first 30 minutes. The game ended in a 5-4 defeat and here’s the story of that match as told in my book Manchester The City Years (with contemporary match reports for subscribers below too):

In the FA Cup third round tie at struggling Newcastle (January 1957), a crowd of 57,890 were entertained with a performance from both sides that had many pondering why the League was such an issue.  The game ended 1-1 at a rain soaked St. James Park, although Bill McAdams missed a relatively simple chance towards the end thanks to the poor conditions.

The following Wednesday 46,988 watched a match that was acclaimed the “game of the year.”  Playing again in heavy conditions, the Blues were leading 3-0 within thirty minutes thanks to a Bob Stokeo own goal, an excellent header from the reliable Bobby Johnstone, and a minute later a Paddy Fagan effort from a fine through pass by McAdams.  Newcastle appeared dead and buried, but the game was far from over.

Three minutes into the second half Newcastle fought back with a penalty from Tommy Casey.  Sixteen minutes from time Alex Tait brought Newcastle’s tally to two, then with the pressure on City’s goal increasing the Geordies seemed destined to find the equaliser.  Sure enough, with only five minutes remaining, Newcastle levelled via a Bill Curry header.  According to Newcastle based reporters even the City fans applauded!

City had now lost the initiative.  The match went into extra time and the Newcastle supporters began singing the “Blaydon Races.”  The game appeared to be Newcastle’s, but with typical City unpredictability the Blues took the lead again.  Bobby Johnstone netting his second of the game and third of the tie.

Despite the goal, Newcastle managed to regain control and Len White scored twice to end City’s hopes of a decent cup run.  For Newcastle this has been recorded as “arguably the club’s most thrilling encounter.”  The Big Book Of Football Champions even claimed that this “stirring battle of the giants” ensured the FA Cup remained “the greatest sporting competition in the world.”\

You can watch highlights here:

https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/61312/

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City v Wolves: A Manchester City Goal After 14 Seconds!

It’s Wolves x Manchester City this weekend. There are plenty of features on games between the two clubs on my site such as this one… On 22 March) in 1958 City pulled off a surprise draw at eventual champions Wolves. The odds had been against City getting a point with the football world of the time assuming Champions-elect Wolves would easily defeat City. Amazingly, City took the lead after a mere 14 seconds. Here’s a description of the goal (it was an own goal! Is this the earliest own goal ever?):

Here’s the rest of the match report:

To find out more on this period in football then why not read my series on Manchester City in the 1950s. Here’s a 2,200 word article on the 1957-58 season. Enjoy!

This is a subscriber article and you can read it by subscribing below.

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The 1950s: MCFC v WBA

On this day (8 April) in 1955 the FA Cup finalists Manchester City defeated West Bromwich Albion 4-0 with goals from Fionan Fagan, Joe Hayes, Bobby Johnstone (photographed) and Billy Spurdle.

This series on Manchester City in the 1950s includes free items and items only available to subscribers. If you’d like to find out more on the 1954-55 season then subscribe and read the following 3,400 word article on it. It’s a season when City reached the FA Cup final and Don Revie was FWA Footballer of the Year.

This is a subscriber article and you can read it by subscribing below.

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The 1950s: A Manchester City Goal After 14 Seconds!

Today (22 March) in 1958 Manchester City pulled off a surprise draw at eventual champions Wolves. The odds had been against City getting a point with the football world of the time assuming Champions-elect Wolves would easily defeat City. Amazingly, City took the lead after a mere 14 seconds. Here’s a description of the goal (it was an own goal! Is this the earliest own goal ever?):

Here’s the rest of the match report:

To find out more on this period in football then why not read my series on Manchester City in the 1950s. Here’s a 2,200 word article on the 1957-58 season. Enjoy!

This is a subscriber article and you can read it by subscribing below.

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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month or you can subscriber for the discounted annual rate of £20 per year. Each subscriber gets access to everything posted so far, including PDFs of a couple of my books.

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The 1950s: Hayes Hat Trick

On this day (16 March) in 1955 Manchester City defeated Bolton Wanderers 4-2 with goals from Joe Hayes (3) and Fionan Fagan (photographed).

This series on Manchester City in the 1950s includes free items and items only available to subscribers. If you’d like to find out more on the 1954-55 season then subscribe and read the following 3,400 word article on it. It’s a season when City reached the FA Cup final and Don Revie was FWA Footballer of the Year.

This is a subscriber article and you can read it by subscribing below.

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The 1950s: The 1954-55 Season

The new series on Manchester City in the 1950s continues today with this 3,400 word article on the 1954-55 season when City reached the FA Cup final and Don Revie was FWA Footballer of the Year. Enjoy!

This is a subscriber article and you can read it by subscribing below.

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Bobby Johnstone Double

On this day (25 February) in 1956 Bobby Johnstone scored twice as Manchester City defeated Preston 3-0. Joe Hayes scored the other goal.

I’m contemplating writing a series of features on the 1950s as this decade is beginning to slip from living memory. We’ve lost almost all the players who played during that decade for City and maybe it’s time to post some of the interviews I did with the likes of Fagan, Barnes, Clarke, Little? What do you think? I’m always keen to hear from readers/subscribers to the site.

1955 Manchester City Photo

I like this colour team photo of Manchester City which was taken as part of the build-up to the 1955 FA Cup final between the Blues and Newcastle United. City lost that final – and at the time of writing it remains the last major domestic trophy won by the Geordies.

At least two of the men here later had involvement in women’s football with the Manchester Corinthians. Bert Trautmann acted as an ambassador for the pioneering women’s team later in the 1950s while Dave Ewing coached the team when it used City’s Platt Lane facilities in the late 1970s/early 1980s. You can find out more about the Corinthians here:

Manchester Corinthians Plaque Unveiling

Game of the Season 1956-1957: Manchester City V Newcastle United

On this day (9 January) in 1957 Manchester City and Newcastle United met in a game that was described as the game of the season and also Newcastle’s ‘most thrilling encounter.’ What was the game and why did they say this? Well here for subscribers is the story of that day and film of it too. Enjoy:

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I wasn’t born then so couldn’t be at the game but 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?