Tag Archives: Gerry Baker

The 1950s: John McTavish

On 3 March this year (2025) the former Manchester City centre-half John McTavish died at the age of 93. Here’s a brief profile of him to give some background on the player.

Height: 5’10.5″   Weight: 11st.7lbs.

Born in Glasgow on 2 February 1932

John joined Manchester City on 12 June 1952 at the age of twenty after spells with Bathgate Thistle and Dalry Thistle in Scotland. Known as a solid and reliable player John was given his first team debut at Middlesbrough on 21 November 1953. For that game he played as City’s right half, allowing Don Revie to move into the forward line. John retained his place pretty well throughout the rest of the season.

The following season saw the introduction of the “Revie Plan”, with John part of the initial team, away at Preston. Unfortunately, City were defeated 5-0 and John was dropped for the next game in favour of Ken Barnes. Barnes was viewed by players of the period as the main reason the plan had succeeded in the reserves, and so his selection helped transform the club’s fortunes that season. It was a shame for John, who then found opportunities became limited.  

John became regarded as a reserve player, before he was transferred to St Mirren in November 1960 as part of a deal that saw Gerry Baker arriving at Maine Road. He stayed at St Mirren for five years (91 League games, 2 goals) before spending six months with Stranraer.

Away from football John found a new career as a manufacturer’s agent in children’s fashion.

City appearances: FL:93 apps & FAC: 3 apps. Total 96 apps.

City Reserve appearances: 196 apps. 5 goals.

Other City appearances: 26+1 apps. 1 goal.

You can read more on John’s debut season of 1953-54 below. This 1,700 word article on the 1953-54 season is a subscriber article and you can read it by subscribing below.

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The 1960s: Dave Wagstaffe

Mancunian Dave Wagstaffe was a Manchester City and Wolves star who made his City debut in September 1960. Fifteen years ago I interviewed Dave and spent a really enjoyable afternoon chatting with him about every period of his career. This was a for an article on his time at City and the 3000 word article that eventually came out of that can be read below.

Sadly, Dave died in 2013 after a heart attack. He was only 70.

The following interview is available to subscribers to the site and is published here as it was written back in 2010 with Dave’s words written as he said them.

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Continuing the series of features on the 1960s, here’s a subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1960-61 season. If you’d like to read this 1200 word article, plus all other articles on the site, then please subscribe (see below).

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The 1960s: Law’s Expunged Six! 

On this day (28 January) in 1961 Denis Law’s six goals against Luton in the FAC were wiped from the records when the game was abandoned due to waterlogged pitch.  Manchester City were winning 6-2, and lost the replay 3-1 (Law scored City’s consolation). If you want to know more about the 1960-61 season then you can read the following 1200 word article. It’s a subscriber piece and if you want to read it (plus all other articles on the site) then please subscribe (see below).

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The 1960s: 1961-1962 Pardoe’s Debut

Continuing the series of features on the 1960s, here’s a subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1961-62 season. If you’d like to read this 1600 word article, plus all other articles on the site, then please subscribe (see below). As with most of the other features in this series it includes words from interviews I have performed with those who were there.

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The 1960s: 1960-1961 More Arrivals 

Continuing the series of features on the 1960s, here’s a subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1960-61 season. If you’d like to read this 1200 word article, plus all other articles on the site, then please subscribe (see below).

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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) or sign up for a year at the discounted price of £20 per year (works out £1.67 per month). Subscribers access the 1000+ articles posted so far and the others scheduled during the life of your subscription.

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