Tag Archives: Glyn Pardoe

Les McDowall

Now that Pep Guardiola has managed his 500th Manchester City game (yes, I know he’s been ill and missed games but he’s still the manager when they occurred) here’s a brief look at the only manager ahead of his record at the club, Les McDowall (note: Les missed some games on scouting missions, so similar to Pep’s missed games?). Enjoy!

Les McDowall

June 1950 – May 1963

Previously:  Impressive wing-half for City during 40s.

Took Over From: Jock Thomson, who left in February 1950 as City headed towards relegation, but it is believed Wilf Wild with Fred Tilson filled the void between managers.

Inherited: Bert Trautmann, Roy Clarke, Joe Fagan & Johnny Hart.

Players Brought In Included: City’s talented forward Don Revie & inspirational captain Roy Paul.  Also Alex Harley & Peter Dobing.

Best Buy: For his role in the Revie Plan and long term commitment to the City cause – Ken Barnes.

Youngsters He Gave Debuts To: Joe Hayes, Dave Wagstaffe, John Benson, Neil Young, Alan Oakes & Glyn Pardoe.

First Game: Preston North End 2 City 4 (City scorers George Smith 2, Roy Clarke and Dennis Westcott), 19 August 1950, attendance 36,294.

High Points: Winning promotion during his first season; FA Cup finalists in 1955 & FA Cup winners in 1956 (and finishing fourth that season).

Coaches: Thirties stars Fred Tilson & Laurie Barnett.

Tactics: Became noted for tactical innovations such as the Revie Plan (although people assume this to be Revie’s idea the name came from the fact he was the key player; it had previously operated in the Reserves with Johnny Williamson in the role).  The Plan revolutionised City’s play and led to the mid-fifties success.   

Last Game: West Ham United 6 City 1 (City scorer Alan Oakes), 18 May 1963, attendance 16,602.

Season By Season Record:

League

1950-51 P 42            W 19   D 14    L 9      GF 89 GA 61 Pts 52             

1951-52 P 42            W 13   D 13    L 16    GF 58 GA 61 Pts 39             

1952-53 P 42            W 14   D 7      L 21   GF 72 GA 87 Pts 35             

1953-54 P 42            W 14   D 9      L 19    GF 62 GA 77 Pts 37             

1954-55 P 42            W 18   D 10    L 14    GF 76 GA 69 Pts 46             

1955-56 P 42            W 18   D 10    L 14    GF 82 GA 69 Pts 46             

1956-57 P 42            W 13   D 9      L 20    GF 78 GA 88 Pts 35             

1957-58 P 42            W 22   D 5      L 15    GF 104 GA 100 Pts 49       

1958-59 P 42            W 11   D 9      L 22    GF 64 GA 95 Pts 31            

1959-60 P 42            W 17   D 3      L 22    GF 78 GA 84 Pts 37            

1960-61 P 42            W 13   D 11    L 18    GF 79 GA 90 Pts 37            

1961-62 P 42            W 17   D 7      L 18    GF 78 GA 81 Pts 41            

1962-63 P 42            W 10   D 11    L 21    GF 58 GA 102 Pts 31

 2 points for a win

FA Cup

1950-51 P 1  W 0     D 0      L 1      GF 0   GA 2   Reached 3rd round

1951-52 P 2  W 0     D 1      L 1      GF 3   GA 6   Reached 3rd round

1952-53 P 3  W 1     D 1      L 1      GF 9   GA 6   Reached 4th round

1953-54 P 2  W 1     D 0      L 1      GF 5   GA 3   Reached 4th round

1954-55 P 6  W 5     D 0      L 1      GF 10 GA 4   Reached final

1955-56 P 7  W 6     D 1      L 0      GF 11 GA 4   FA Cup winners

1956-57 P 2  W 0     D 1      L 1      GF 5   GA 6   Reached 3rd round

1957-58 P 1  W 0     D 0      L 1      GF 1   GA 5   Reached 3rd round

1958-59 P 2  W 0     D 1      L 1      GF 3   GA 4   Reached 3rd round

1959-60 P 1  W 0     D 0      L 1      GF 1   GA 5   Reached 3rd round

1960-61 P 4  W 1     D 2      L 1      GF 4   GA 4   Reached 4th round

1961-62 P 2  W 1     D 0      L 1      GF 1   GA 2   Reached 4th round

1962-63 P 3  W 2     D 0      L 1      GF 3   GA 2   Reached 5th round

League Cup

1960-61 P 2  W 1     D 0      L 1      GF 3   GA 2   Reached 3rd round

1961-62 P 1  W 0     D 0      L 1      GF 2   GA 4   Reached 2nd round

1962-63 P 6  W 3     D 2      L 1      GF 10 GA 12 Reached 5th round

TOTAL (League & cup fixtures)

P591   W220  D127  L244   GF 1049        GA 1135

Trophies Won: FA Cup (1956) 

Other Competitive Fixtures: 1 Charity Shield game

They Said:  “Les McDowall was very much an old school manager – shirt & tie, office type.  You rarely saw him but when you did it was usually when he was unveiling one of his new tactical plans.  We had one where we played with 5 at the back and I had a number 7 shirt on.  He would probably have excelled in today’s game because he was absolutely driven with tactical formations.”  Defender Bobby Kennedy talking in 2005.

Followed By: George Poyser

After City: Became Oldham Athletic manager shortly after leaving City.  Died in August 1991 at the age of 78.

The Birth of a Manchester City Chant

Manchester City meeting Ipswich this weekend is a nice reminder that a fixture between the two almost 50 years ago made an enormous contribution to the birth of a City chant. That chant is still sung today and is known as either the Viking Call or ‘The Best Team In The Land…’

Chanting at football games is rarely documented correctly with many myths, rumours and stories developing over the years. Te following feature is designed to give a potted overview of the development of singing at City and tells the story and part Ipswich played in it:

Now, for subscribers is an 1800 word article on the history and development of chants at Manchester City:

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Manchester City’s All-Time Best FA Cup Winning Eleven

Yesterday I posted the goalkeeper of my all-time best Manchester City FA Cup final winning team and so today it’s the time for another couple of names.

I was asked to select an all-time City eleven and had two rules – they had to actually play in a winning final (so, unused substitutes were not allowed) and they could not be a member of the current playing squad. I also tried to focus on the fact that this eleven would also be facing an all time Manchester United eleven. Therefore victories over United in key games were always in the back of my mind.

The next two players selected are:

Tony Book (1966-1974)

As FWA Player of the Year in 1969 Book captained City to FA Cup success and led the Blues through a glorious era when derby games tended to end in a City victory. Still revered, this humble legend was also a trophy winning manager and coached City to FA Youth Cup success over United in 1986.

Glyn Pardoe (1962-1976)

A versatile right footer who typically played on the left, City’s youngest ever debutant was exceptionally good in the air. A vital and dependable member of the 1968 League championship and the 1969 FA Cup winning teams, Pardoe’s instincts, passing ability and tackling expertise made him a cultured defender.

Janice Monk (former City Store), Glyn Pardoe and Steve Mackenzie at the launch of Manchester The City Years in 2012

Both Book and Pardoe played in the 1969 FA Cup final. You can read all about that here:

City 1 Leicester 0, the FA Cup Final

More on the all-time Manchester City FA Cup winning eleven tomorrow. It was a tough selection and over the next few days I’ll post the rest of the starting eleven.

Glyn Pardoe

Glyn Pardoe was born on this day (1 June) in 1946. He rightfully made it into my all time MCFC FA Cup winning 11, published in last week’s FA Cup final match programme.

Janice Monk (former City Store), Glyn Pardoe and Steve Mackenzie at the launch of Manchester The City Years

Manchester City Chants

I’ve posted a lot on this in the past but it’s always worth revisiting, especially as recent years have seen dozens of new chants established at Manchester City. Successful eras often bring new chants – and that’s definitely happened recently – but failing periods can also generate new supporter songs.

Chanting at football games is rarely documented correctly with many myths, rumours and stories developing over the years. This feature is designed to give a potted overview of the development of singing at City.

I explained about some of the chants in this talk I did a couple of years ago. If you’ve got time watch it:

Now, for subscribers is an 1800 word article on the history and development of chants at Manchester City:

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The 1990s: 1992-1993 A Whole New Ball Game

The series of articles covering Manchester City in the 1990s continues today with the 1992-93 season when the Premier League was born. Here’s a 3,200 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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The 1970s: 1976-1977 Maintaining A Title Challenge

The series of features/articles covering Manchester City in the 1970s continues with a 2,100 word article on the entire 1976-77 season – a season which saw City come close to League success. You can read this below. This series of articles and features on Manchester City in the 1970s has been running throughout January with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others. Every day in January has offered something to enjoy.

Subscribers can access everything. If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? You could even subscribe for a month and see what you think. The following 1,200 word article is on the 1976-77 season and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!

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The 1970s: 1973-1974 Wembley Return

The series of features/articles covering Manchester City in the 1970s continues with a 1,700 word article on the entire 1973-74 season – a season which included a Wembley final, multiple managerial changes and a controversial Manchester Derby at Old Trafford! You can read this below. This series of articles and features on Manchester City in the 1970s has been running throughout January with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others. Every day in January will offer something to enjoy.

Subscribers will get access to everything. If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? You could even subscribe for a month and see what you think. The following 1,700 word article is on the 1973-74 season and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!

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The 1970s: 1971-72 Mistreating Mercer

The series of features/articles covering Manchester City in the 1970s continues with a 4,700 word article on the entire 1971-72 season – a hugely significant season though one that’s often neglected. You can read this below. This series of articles and features on Manchester City in the 1970s will run throughout January 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 January will offer something to enjoy.

Subscribers will get access to everything. If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? You could even subscribe for a month and see what you think. The following 4,700 word article is on the 1971-72 season and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!

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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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The 1970s: Can You Name City’s Free 12? The Answer is…

Yesterday I posted this small amount of praise published on this day (10 January) in 1970 in the Liverpool Echo. The brief post comments on how 12 City players who had appeared to date in the 1969-70 had cost the Blues nothing. So, I asked ‘can name those 12?’ Looking at the date this was published and appearances the answer is:

Joe Corrigan, Glyn Pardoe, Mike Doyle, Tommy Booth, Alan Oakes, Neil Young, Ian Bowyer, Stan Bowles, Dave Connor, Tony Towers, Jimmy Mundy & Derek Jeffries.

Did you get this right?

This series of articles and features on the 1970s will run throughout January 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 January 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? The following 5,600 word article on the successes of 1970 is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!

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