On this day (23 March) in 1968 came a game between two title challenging teams – Leeds Utd and Manchester City. The view was that this game could knock City out of the title race if it went Leeds’ way. So what happened? Here’s film of the game:
You can find out more aboutthe potential impact of this game by reading this subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1967-68 season. If you’d like to read this 7,600 word article (yes, 7,600 words on one season!), 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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I’ve just got back after attending Steve Fleet’s funeral today. Steve was a wonderful man who played for Manchester City, Stockport County and Altrincham and it was great to see so many staff and former players from the clubs he was involved with in attendance. Fred Eyre read Steve’s own words as the eulogy and, typical of Steve, he did not want a fuss. He did not want Fred to talk of all the wonderful things Steve did or said. Steve was always humble and had a special aura that encouraged positivity.
Last week I posted one of the many interviews I did with Steve here for all to read and, if you missed it, here it is again. This was written in a Q&A style with Steve’s thoughts written out for all to see.
I think that when someone dies it is often best to use their words to describe their life/career. Who better to talk about Steve’s life than Steve himself? Here’s the interview as it was written up in 2004:
IN SEARCH OF THE BLUES – Steve Fleet
Steve Fleet has been involved with Manchester City for over 50 years, first as a player, then as a coach and later as manager of the Platt Lane complex. His early City career saw him as goalkeeping understudy to the great Bert Trautmann. Gary James, author of Farewell To Maine Road, caught up with him last week.
You made your debut against Wolves in 1957, can you remember much about that day?
I actually heard I was making my debut from the Manchester Evening News. I woke up to find a newspaper reporter and photographer on my doorstep, and they told me I was actually going to play. City had told me to report for training pre match but hadn’t said anything about being in the team. The reporter asked me what I thought of the news and then they got me to pose next to my record player – I suppose they wanted me to be doing the sort of things any 20 year old would be doing.
The game was a thriller and ended 4-3 to Wolves, how do you think you played?
I thought I’d played well, and I was fairly happy with my performance. I remember it was a bit of a foggy day and also that Wolves were powerful – they won the League that season and were one of the great sides of the period. Afterwards I saw the newspaper reports and they were full of praise, so that was great. In addition Frank Swift – a truly great City & England ‘keeper – wrote a very complimentary piece in his newspaper column and said I had a great future ahead of me, while Bert Trautmann told reporters I was the best young ‘keeper he had ever seen. All of that praise made me feel terrific of course, but I also knew I was only filling in until Bert was ready to return. He was an outstanding ‘keeper and there was no way any other ‘keeper would replace him if he was fit.
Did you feel despondent knowing you had little chance of replacing him on a regular basis?
No, not at all. I knew I was still young and all the praise made me feel that I would eventually be City’s number one. I suppose I felt I had to serve out my apprenticeship first of all. There were other good ‘keepers at City, including Roy Dixon – the father of the famous Arsenal player Lee Dixon – but I was sure my day would come. I was also delighted to be second choice to Bert. He was a terrific player and a great man.
Did he coach you or help in any other way?
Bert helped in every way. He was a great role model and taught me so much about life as well as football. He was like an older brother to me and I was fortunate to be taken under Bert’s wing. He insisted I presented myself well – clean shoes, wear a tie etc. – at all times. I listened and followed his lead both on and off the pitch.
My father needed a car to go south on holiday once and Bert offered to let Dad use it. For a fortnight my Dad had his car and when it came time to give it back, Bert refused any payment of any kind. He was terrific to be with and he remains a great man. There are few men in football or in life like Bert. Even today every former player looks at Bert Trautmann in awe – he is a true great and there are very few around.
As I was 14 years younger than him I thought I was being groomed as his natural successor. It didn’t quite work out like that, but Bert tried to ensure I was given some opportunities. I only managed to play 5 League games and 1 League Cup match during my City career but Bert ensured I’d play in some of those. I only found out recently but Bert deliberately pulled out of a couple of games simply so that I could get the opportunity. City would try and make him play every game, no matter how fit he was – and he often played when not fully fit because everyone demanded it – but for those games he made sure I got my chance.
Did you always play in goals, or did you start as an outfield player?
I didn’t like playing in goal at first and always wanted to be an outfield player but I was too slow. When I was 9 I played a game in goals and I remember a teacher shouting ‘great save’, and that spurred me on. The encouragement helped me enormously and, later when I became a coach, I always tried to ensure I encouraged and gave opportunities to those playing for me.
My first ever City match was in the Wythenshawe League for City’s 5th team. Charlie Gee, the ex-Everton & England star, was watching and I remember him complimenting me on how I’d played. Again that encouragement gave me a major boost.
What was training like at City when you first started to make it into the first team?
We’d train in the mornings, but nothing in the afternoon. We’d finish at lunch and I’d then go over to United’s training ground, The Cliff, to meet my best friend Eddie Colman. All the United youngsters would still be training hard for Bert Whalley – I think that was the big difference at the time. United under Busby and Wolves under Cullis were concentrating on coaching and on youth development, whereas the Clubs managed by more traditional managers were doing what they had always done.
Sadly, Eddie later died in the Munich disaster and I was a pallbearer at his funeral – no one can underestimate how the disaster affected all Mancunians.
As a young boy I was brought up in Ordsall and played for Salford Boys with Eddie – the first photo ever taken of me playing was in 1951 when Salford Boys beat Manchester Boys 1-0 in front of 11,000 – and they used to take us to watch United. Then I got the chance to go to Maine Road to watch City. I loved the colour of City’s shirts – a beautiful colour – and I also knew that City’s ground was better than Old Trafford – it definitely was.
One of your League appearances was against United in 1961, do you remember much about that?
It was highly controversial! City were the better side in the opening minutes and United’s key danger was Alex Dawson but every time he challenged I had the better of him. Every time he jumped for the ball I would jump higher and catch it. There were no problems. Then it all changed. We both went up and his only chance of beating me was to punch the ball with his fist! He did that and amazingly the referee gave United the goal. I could not believe it, and afterwards Dawson admitted what he had done – I still have the newspaper cutting! – but it was too late, and United went on to win the match.
When Bert’s City career neared its end did you feel your time had arrived?
Unfortunately not. In fact it felt as if my time had already gone. I made a big mistake waiting all those years because, despite the promise and the positive coverage at the start of my career, I had stagnated to some extent in the reserves. It was great being number two to Bert, but I now realise I should have moved on earlier. I would never advise a young boy to wait to fill anybody’s shoes now. You do need first team football if you want to develop. I never achieved my full potential.
I was frustrated when Harry Dowd’s opportunities came but, fortunately, Ken Barnes was now the manager at Wrexham and he asked me to go there. I was at last a true first team footballer.
A couple of years later Bert was manager at Stockport County and he asked me to go there. We won promotion and I started to do a bit of coaching – I coached Ken Mulhearn who became City’s keeper.
Is that when you started moving into coaching?
In 1969 I moved to Altrincham as a player and started coaching there, then a year later I moved back to Stockport as Chief Coach. In 1973 I got the chance to come back to City and work with the Youth team. It was then that we tried to create a Busby style youth dynasty at Maine Road. We figured that if we could find good lads, coach them correctly, and give them the right opportunities we’d be able to keep the Club progressing.
With Harry Godwin, Ken Barnes, and all the other members of City’s backroom staff, you helped find and develop several exciting players. Who was your favourite from a footballing point of view?
Peter Barnes had the greatest skill and he was one of the nicest young players as well. He was always appreciative of the support given to him. He had lots of natural skill but was grateful for the advice given.
Clive Wilson was another very skilful player, but I suppose I was most pleased for Kenny Clements. Initially nobody rated him and he had to go on the groundstaff. We kept throwing him into practice matches and eventually Ian McFarlane recognised his ability and his career blossomed.
Gary Owen was the most enthusiastic player I ever had, while Alex Williams was another nice young man who developed well.
This was a golden period for youth football at City, reaching the FA Youth Cup final in successive years (1979 & 1980). How did it compare to your own playing career?
I loved playing of course, but I believe my biggest contribution to football came after my own playing days were over. The development of the Youth set up during this time saw Ken Barnes, myself and the others give the Club much more than the occasional victory. Some of our players were the backbone of the League side in the seventies and eighties. It was the most productive time in the Club’s history for youth.
Around this time you also had a regular column in the match programme on astrology. That seems an unusual topic for a football programme and a former player. How did that come about?
I was once on holiday in Abersoch and the weather was appalling so I sat reading an article in Cosmopolitan about star signs. I started to look into it further and eventually astrology did help me a little in football. Once I knew someone’s star sign it gave me an indication of how to handle the player. Then one day City had been playing John Bond’s Norwich and Kevin Bond had played well. They’d managed a draw, which was very unusual for Norwich at the time. As they came off the pitch Kevin Bond was asking for a telephone. It seemed a real emergency, so I took him into one of the offices and he made his call. Some of the other backroom staff were around and we all listened to his call. It turned out he’d ‘phoned his mother to tell her about the game. I watched and listened and as soon as he came off the ‘phone I asked “Kevin, I hope you don’t mind me asking but are you a Cancerian?”
It turned out he was and the rest of the staff were amazed that I could guess. There’s no point going through it all now, but during the call Kevin displayed typical characteristics of a Cancerian. One thing led to another and before I knew it I’d been talked into writing a piece by Eddie Booth.
I used to give information on typical characteristics and would try and link this in to players with birthdays etc. After a while it started getting crazy – I was receiving all sorts of letters, nothing to do with football, and we decided to stop the articles before they took over from the football!
Once John Bond arrived as manager, the youth emphasis changed and you found yourself moving on. How do you view the period that followed?
It was a great period for me personally because I went coaching in Iceland and gained a great deal of experience but also developed further as a person. Staying at one club, or in one job, can make you stale, but if you move to other clubs and other countries you get different experiences. There were also the major cultural differences – there was a lot to learn. I was in charge of Akranes – Arni Arason’s team before City – and then IB Vestmann in 1982. At Vestmann we managed to get into Europe two years running – going out to a Polish side and an East German side – so I’m very pleased with that period of my career.
I returned to England in 1984 and worked for Ron Saunders at Birmingham – I know Ron has his City critics but I always got on well with him, and was delighted when he gave me the opportunity he did. At Birmingham I coached Tony Coton and, of course, David Seaman was also there then.
You eventually returned to City as Sports Development Officer and later managed the Platt Lane Complex. Was this another period of personal development for you?
Definitely. Every period of life teaches you something and I found that the experience away from City helped me, but I also found I gained a great deal at Platt Lane. As a player I think I always knew that I wasn’t destined to be a great player, but I always tried to do things in a ‘great way’. I wanted to ensure my approach was right and I think my spells coaching at Maine Road and Platt Lane were my major contribution to this Club.
You left City’s employment for the last time in 2000, what did you do for the final years of your working life?
I worked for Manchester City Council Leisure department as an Events and Activities Co-ordinator. Again I gained much from that role because it brought me back to reality and I started to work with non-footballing people. There were some good people there again, and I enjoyed that final period of work.
Finally, thinking about your retirement, do you miss football?
I still watch City of course, and I also love the involvement with the Former Players’ Association. I enjoy helping people and I do love attending functions and so on. Most of all though retirement allows me to look back and consider how my life has progressed so far. Like everybody else I’ve suffered some major tragedies and problems over the years and, at times, these were extremely hard to face, however I now look back and realise that all of this has helped shape my life and personality.
I am a great believer in fate and I do think that everything happens for a reason, so I’m not one to feel bitter. I’ve enjoyed my footballing life, and am delighted with every aspect of it. I particularly loved coaching City’s youngsters, but I have to say that I am happier today than I have ever been.
Following the death of former Manchester City, Stockport County and Altrincham goalkeeper Steve Fleet (who was also the man who had to break the news of Eddie Colman’s death to Eddie’s parents following the Munich air crash) I’ve decided to post one of the many interviews I did with Steve here for all to read. This was written in a Q&A style with Steve’s thoughts written out for all to see.
I think that when someone dies it is often best to use their words to describe their life/career. Who better to talk about Steve’s life than Steve himself? Here’s the interview as it was written up in 2004:
IN SEARCH OF THE BLUES – Steve Fleet
Steve Fleet has been involved with Manchester City for over 50 years, first as a player, then as a coach and later as manager of the Platt Lane complex. His early City career saw him as goalkeeping understudy to the great Bert Trautmann. Gary James, author of Farewell To Maine Road, caught up with him last week.
You made your debut against Wolves in 1957, can you remember much about that day?
I actually heard I was making my debut from the Manchester Evening News. I woke up to find a newspaper reporter and photographer on my doorstep, and they told me I was actually going to play. City had told me to report for training pre match but hadn’t said anything about being in the team. The reporter asked me what I thought of the news and then they got me to pose next to my record player – I suppose they wanted me to be doing the sort of things any 20 year old would be doing.
The game was a thriller and ended 4-3 to Wolves, how do you think you played?
I thought I’d played well, and I was fairly happy with my performance. I remember it was a bit of a foggy day and also that Wolves were powerful – they won the League that season and were one of the great sides of the period. Afterwards I saw the newspaper reports and they were full of praise, so that was great. In addition Frank Swift – a truly great City & England ‘keeper – wrote a very complimentary piece in his newspaper column and said I had a great future ahead of me, while Bert Trautmann told reporters I was the best young ‘keeper he had ever seen. All of that praise made me feel terrific of course, but I also knew I was only filling in until Bert was ready to return. He was an outstanding ‘keeper and there was no way any other ‘keeper would replace him if he was fit.
Did you feel despondent knowing you had little chance of replacing him on a regular basis?
No, not at all. I knew I was still young and all the praise made me feel that I would eventually be City’s number one. I suppose I felt I had to serve out my apprenticeship first of all. There were other good ‘keepers at City, including Roy Dixon – the father of the famous Arsenal player Lee Dixon – but I was sure my day would come. I was also delighted to be second choice to Bert. He was a terrific player and a great man.
Did he coach you or help in any other way?
Bert helped in every way. He was a great role model and taught me so much about life as well as football. He was like an older brother to me and I was fortunate to be taken under Bert’s wing. He insisted I presented myself well – clean shoes, wear a tie etc. – at all times. I listened and followed his lead both on and off the pitch.
My father needed a car to go south on holiday once and Bert offered to let Dad use it. For a fortnight my Dad had his car and when it came time to give it back, Bert refused any payment of any kind. He was terrific to be with and he remains a great man. There are few men in football or in life like Bert. Even today every former player looks at Bert Trautmann in awe – he is a true great and there are very few around.
As I was 14 years younger than him I thought I was being groomed as his natural successor. It didn’t quite work out like that, but Bert tried to ensure I was given some opportunities. I only managed to play 5 League games and 1 League Cup match during my City career but Bert ensured I’d play in some of those. I only found out recently but Bert deliberately pulled out of a couple of games simply so that I could get the opportunity. City would try and make him play every game, no matter how fit he was – and he often played when not fully fit because everyone demanded it – but for those games he made sure I got my chance.
Did you always play in goals, or did you start as an outfield player?
I didn’t like playing in goal at first and always wanted to be an outfield player but I was too slow. When I was 9 I played a game in goals and I remember a teacher shouting ‘great save’, and that spurred me on. The encouragement helped me enormously and, later when I became a coach, I always tried to ensure I encouraged and gave opportunities to those playing for me.
My first ever City match was in the Wythenshawe League for City’s 5th team. Charlie Gee, the ex-Everton & England star, was watching and I remember him complimenting me on how I’d played. Again that encouragement gave me a major boost.
What was training like at City when you first started to make it into the first team?
We’d train in the mornings, but nothing in the afternoon. We’d finish at lunch and I’d then go over to United’s training ground, The Cliff, to meet my best friend Eddie Colman. All the United youngsters would still be training hard for Bert Whalley – I think that was the big difference at the time. United under Busby and Wolves under Cullis were concentrating on coaching and on youth development, whereas the Clubs managed by more traditional managers were doing what they had always done.
Sadly, Eddie later died in the Munich disaster and I was a pallbearer at his funeral – no one can underestimate how the disaster affected all Mancunians.
As a young boy I was brought up in Ordsall and played for Salford Boys with Eddie – the first photo ever taken of me playing was in 1951 when Salford Boys beat Manchester Boys 1-0 in front of 11,000 – and they used to take us to watch United. Then I got the chance to go to Maine Road to watch City. I loved the colour of City’s shirts – a beautiful colour – and I also knew that City’s ground was better than Old Trafford – it definitely was.
One of your League appearances was against United in 1961, do you remember much about that?
It was highly controversial! City were the better side in the opening minutes and United’s key danger was Alex Dawson but every time he challenged I had the better of him. Every time he jumped for the ball I would jump higher and catch it. There were no problems. Then it all changed. We both went up and his only chance of beating me was to punch the ball with his fist! He did that and amazingly the referee gave United the goal. I could not believe it, and afterwards Dawson admitted what he had done – I still have the newspaper cutting! – but it was too late, and United went on to win the match.
When Bert’s City career neared its end did you feel your time had arrived?
Unfortunately not. In fact it felt as if my time had already gone. I made a big mistake waiting all those years because, despite the promise and the positive coverage at the start of my career, I had stagnated to some extent in the reserves. It was great being number two to Bert, but I now realise I should have moved on earlier. I would never advise a young boy to wait to fill anybody’s shoes now. You do need first team football if you want to develop. I never achieved my full potential.
I was frustrated when Harry Dowd’s opportunities came but, fortunately, Ken Barnes was now the manager at Wrexham and he asked me to go there. I was at last a true first team footballer.
A couple of years later Bert was manager at Stockport County and he asked me to go there. We won promotion and I started to do a bit of coaching – I coached Ken Mulhearn who became City’s keeper.
Is that when you started moving into coaching?
In 1969 I moved to Altrincham as a player and started coaching there, then a year later I moved back to Stockport as Chief Coach. In 1973 I got the chance to come back to City and work with the Youth team. It was then that we tried to create a Busby style youth dynasty at Maine Road. We figured that if we could find good lads, coach them correctly, and give them the right opportunities we’d be able to keep the Club progressing.
With Harry Godwin, Ken Barnes, and all the other members of City’s backroom staff, you helped find and develop several exciting players. Who was your favourite from a footballing point of view?
Peter Barnes had the greatest skill and he was one of the nicest young players as well. He was always appreciative of the support given to him. He had lots of natural skill but was grateful for the advice given.
Clive Wilson was another very skilful player, but I suppose I was most pleased for Kenny Clements. Initially nobody rated him and he had to go on the groundstaff. We kept throwing him into practice matches and eventually Ian McFarlane recognised his ability and his career blossomed.
Gary Owen was the most enthusiastic player I ever had, while Alex Williams was another nice young man who developed well.
This was a golden period for youth football at City, reaching the FA Youth Cup final in successive years (1979 & 1980). How did it compare to your own playing career?
I loved playing of course, but I believe my biggest contribution to football came after my own playing days were over. The development of the Youth set up during this time saw Ken Barnes, myself and the others give the Club much more than the occasional victory. Some of our players were the backbone of the League side in the seventies and eighties. It was the most productive time in the Club’s history for youth.
Around this time you also had a regular column in the match programme on astrology. That seems an unusual topic for a football programme and a former player. How did that come about?
I was once on holiday in Abersoch and the weather was appalling so I sat reading an article in Cosmopolitan about star signs. I started to look into it further and eventually astrology did help me a little in football. Once I knew someone’s star sign it gave me an indication of how to handle the player. Then one day City had been playing John Bond’s Norwich and Kevin Bond had played well. They’d managed a draw, which was very unusual for Norwich at the time. As they came off the pitch Kevin Bond was asking for a telephone. It seemed a real emergency, so I took him into one of the offices and he made his call. Some of the other backroom staff were around and we all listened to his call. It turned out he’d ‘phoned his mother to tell her about the game. I watched and listened and as soon as he came off the ‘phone I asked “Kevin, I hope you don’t mind me asking but are you a Cancerian?”
It turned out he was and the rest of the staff were amazed that I could guess. There’s no point going through it all now, but during the call Kevin displayed typical characteristics of a Cancerian. One thing led to another and before I knew it I’d been talked into writing a piece by Eddie Booth.
I used to give information on typical characteristics and would try and link this in to players with birthdays etc. After a while it started getting crazy – I was receiving all sorts of letters, nothing to do with football, and we decided to stop the articles before they took over from the football!
Once John Bond arrived as manager, the youth emphasis changed and you found yourself moving on. How do you view the period that followed?
It was a great period for me personally because I went coaching in Iceland and gained a great deal of experience but also developed further as a person. Staying at one club, or in one job, can make you stale, but if you move to other clubs and other countries you get different experiences. There were also the major cultural differences – there was a lot to learn. I was in charge of Akranes – Arni Arason’s team before City – and then IB Vestmann in 1982. At Vestmann we managed to get into Europe two years running – going out to a Polish side and an East German side – so I’m very pleased with that period of my career.
I returned to England in 1984 and worked for Ron Saunders at Birmingham – I know Ron has his City critics but I always got on well with him, and was delighted when he gave me the opportunity he did. At Birmingham I coached Tony Coton and, of course, David Seaman was also there then.
You eventually returned to City as Sports Development Officer and later managed the Platt Lane Complex. Was this another period of personal development for you?
Definitely. Every period of life teaches you something and I found that the experience away from City helped me, but I also found I gained a great deal at Platt Lane. As a player I think I always knew that I wasn’t destined to be a great player, but I always tried to do things in a ‘great way’. I wanted to ensure my approach was right and I think my spells coaching at Maine Road and Platt Lane were my major contribution to this Club.
You left City’s employment for the last time in 2000, what did you do for the final years of your working life?
I worked for Manchester City Council Leisure department as an Events and Activities Co-ordinator. Again I gained much from that role because it brought me back to reality and I started to work with non-footballing people. There were some good people there again, and I enjoyed that final period of work.
Finally, thinking about your retirement, do you miss football?
I still watch City of course, and I also love the involvement with the Former Players’ Association. I enjoy helping people and I do love attending functions and so on. Most of all though retirement allows me to look back and consider how my life has progressed so far. Like everybody else I’ve suffered some major tragedies and problems over the years and, at times, these were extremely hard to face, however I now look back and realise that all of this has helped shape my life and personality.
I am a great believer in fate and I do think that everything happens for a reason, so I’m not one to feel bitter. I’ve enjoyed my footballing life, and am delighted with every aspect of it. I particularly loved coaching City’s youngsters, but I have to say that I am happier today than I have ever been.
It’s Tony Book’s funeral today and, all being well, I intend being there. Tony was one of the most important figures in the entire history of Manchester City and deserves to be remembered for ever more. Please spare a moment today to think of him. Over the years I met and interviewed Tony on many occasions. I last spoke with him at the MCFC Former Players Dinner earlier this season. As a tribute to him I’m posting here an interview I did with him back in May 2015 (I’ve posted this before but think it’s an appropriate moment to post it again). It wasn’t the first interview I did with him (that was in 1992 about Joe Mercer), but it is a reflective piece with Tony talking about his career.
I always think it’s important when someone passes away to use their words where possible to talk about their career. You can read it below. I’ve posted this exactly as it was written and published in 2015 so, obviously, references are to that era and before.
TALKING CITY WITH GARY JAMES
Tony Book joined City in 1966 and went on to become manager, winning the League Cup in 1976.
Let’s start with your birth certificate and the story that this was altered to give the impression you were a bit younger when signing. Is this true?
Ah, it’s true, but I didn’t actually alter it. My birth certificate had been folded with a heavy crease down it, and I needed it when I was moving from Bath to join Plymouth where Malcolm Allison was the manager. He told them I was 28 but I was 30. Luckily, when I opened out my birth certificate the fold had meant that the final number in the year wasn’t clear, so they just took Malcolm’s word for it! When I came here in 1966 I was 32 – for real – and we never hid my age.
It’s a good job, otherwise you’d have been celebrating your 80th two years late! When you signed for City Malcolm had to persuade Joe Mercer to ignore your age didn’t he?
Yes. Joe was a similar age when he joined Arsenal, as you know Gary, and Malcolm said “look at what you did at Arsenal Joe” – he captained them to a couple of League titles and the FA Cup. Little did we realise that something similar would happen to me at City. I always wanted to be a full time professional footballer and Malcolm gave me the chance. I went playing in Toronto – it was the first time I’d trained in the day because I was a bricklayer by trade and had to train at night back home – before Plymouth and Malcolm came and talked with me after I’d played against a team of Italians over there. He told me how much he liked my play and, well, after that he signed me for Plymouth and then City. I was always grateful to Malcolm, but joining City was perfect. The club under Joe and Malcolm was about to take off and I recognised as soon as I got here that there was a good nucleus of young lads who were ready. Doyle, Pardoe, Oakes, Dowd, Young… the list goes on. I came in just after they’d got promoted and everything felt right. I made my debut at Southampton on 20 August 1966 and, although that match ended goalless, it was clear those lads were enjoying their football. Of course, Summerbee and Bell had been added and then Francis came in October 1967. That’s when we really took off.
Tony Book 1969
How did it feel to be made captain of this team?
When Johnny Crossan left I was made captain because of my experience in football, not because of experience at the highest level because I didn’t have that. But what I did know was football and the way a team operates. I came to professional football late, but back then non-league teams did have quite a few former League players. Some actually gave up League careers because, in the end, they could earn more in non-League and regular employment. I always felt I had something to offer the younger guys because of that experience.
Being totally honest, what did you feel you’d do at City? Did you think you’d be there for as long as you were?
I hoped I’d get a couple of years. That’s all I felt I could get and I would have been very happy with two years at Manchester City, of course. Back then City owned some club houses and I went in one – paying about £2.50 a week! Because of what happened and the way the success came in my second year, Gary, I felt I could go on again. Winning the League in 1968 was like a spark and I wanted to keep the flame going.
Thinking about the title winning season of 1967-68, there were quite a few standout games. What are your memories of those?
There was the Spurs game at Christmas when we sharpened our studs to keep a grip on the surface and we really played a graceful, stylish game. There was the derby at Old Trafford when I made a mistake. I was playing the sweeper role, I let the ball bounce, and George Best went through and stuck it right in the net in the first minute! I couldn’t believe it and the lads lifted me and, Gary, we went on to play a brilliant game. We won 3-1 and that set us on course, but we still had nine games to play. None of us had ever won a major trophy, but Malcolm and Joe were brilliant during that period. Malcolm was great at relaxing us and there was never a doubt in his mind, and then in our minds, that we wouldn’t win it. We believed in ourselves and with Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee and Francis Lee we knew we had that something special that champions need. I always felt that if we went behind one of those three would get us out of trouble. We had a great team throughout of course, and we complimented each other well across the park. We all knew our roles.
After winning the League you suffered an Achilles injury, did you think that was the end?
No, but I was desperate to get back. I tried everything. My leg was in plaster and as soon as they took it off I tried. I played in a reserve game and Sidney Rose, the doctor who was also a director, saw me struggle. I felt it go again. He stuck a needle in me and I had to rest. In the end I went to Christie’s, had a shot of radium, and that seemed to take the sting out of it all. I don’t know whether that was the right treatment or not, but I began training and came back to the first team in January.
Clearly, losing your influential captain for such a large period of the season had its effect on City in the League and in their first European Cup campaign, but once you returned you guided City to FA Cup success. Was this another fairytale season for you?
I guess it was because winning the FA Cup was amazing. It was important for us to keep our success going and the FA Cup was viewed as something special, but I have to tell you Gary, that now, when I look back, I realise that we were not consistent in our challenge for the League. We consistently challenged for trophies, but not in the League. Today, we have such a wonderful team that has been able to challenge for the League season after season, but back then we were more inconsistent. We had good days and bad days, but almost any team in the division could challenge back then. There were no easy games. In 1969 I also shared the FWA player of the year with Dave Mackay, so it was a good season. People had suggested I’d win it the year before because I’d played every game and we’d won the League. I was getting a lot of praise but George Best won it that year. So, the year I won it, it was a surprise. A great feeling and I remember being at the award dinner. For me though, it was an achievement for the entire team. You need a good team around you to win awards like these, and we certainly had a great team.
What are your memories of City in Europe during that time?
There was Malcolm’s boast about scaring Europe which set us up, but then in the ECWC 1969-70 we did. The final is the strongest memory but mostly because of the rain. We had a great following of fans, but few locals and Gornik fans were there, and they were all drenched. I felt so sorry for them. We won the cup, of course, and that season we’d also won the League Cup. I wanted to go on forever by that time. I was enjoying it and those two years became four and I was 36. I couldn’t wait for the next season. I was like an 18 year old who had just been given his chance.
1971 ECWC v Chelsea. Tony Book and mascot Paul Todd. Photo by Alan Jubb
Is there anything from your playing career that you would change if you could?
Ah, yes. I gave the referee an elbow at Ipswich! He’d disallowed a goal. At Ipswich, you had to go down a corridor as you went in at half time and as I turned I deliberately elbowed him. He went down. I was called to an FA disciplinary meeting and the first question they asked was “would you like your past record to be taken into consideration?” Well, I’d only been a pro for a couple of years so I said yes, thinking it’ll be great. They then brought out information going years back from my non-league days and it all worked against me!
When it came time to retire from playing, was that your choice?
No. Johnny Hart had been manager but was ill and Peter Swales asked me to take over on a temporary basis in October 1973. I managed the team for about five weeks until Ron Saunders came in and he had a chat with me suggesting I was needed more as a coach/assistant than a player. I wish now I’d said I wanted to finish playing at the end of the season because I think that would have helped him more. There were issues between him and some of the playing squad and I think I could have helped him, had I been a player. He was insistent though.
Ron Saunders, Peter Swales and Tony Book at Saunders appointment in November 1973
It’s a shame because we got to the League Cup final (1974) and with you in that team, maybe things would have gone differently. Saunders didn’t last as manager and was gone in April that year. How did you feel?
You see things happening but are unable to change it. It was tough. I ended up being given the manager’s job and it was a strange period because we’d had turmoil over that season. I also had to start looking at my pals, the players I had won trophies with, and explain that they needed to move on. I didn’t want to do that and I found it very hard. Awful!
As a manager I was proud that in the five years that followed we won the League Cup, finished runners up by a point to Liverpool, and we were in Europe for three consecutive seasons. I had some good players that came in – Dave Watson, Brian Kidd, Asa Hartford – and did an excellent job for me. I felt we were on our way.
From the moment you took on the job it was progress all the way through and, just before Malcolm returned as ‘coaching overlord’ in January 1979, we had reached the UEFA Cup quarter finals. What was it that made you a success in that role?
The players. It’s always about the players you manage to sign and what they do for you. I was more like Joe Mercer as a manager and had good coaches working with me. Bill Taylor was recommended to me by Don Revie and he was a great coach.
Tony Book, Peter Swales and Kaziu Deyna at Deyna’s signing for Manchester City
City may not have won many trophies during your spell as manager, but we came close, had some great players and, significantly, this was an exciting period to watch. Then Malcolm came back. Did you welcome the return?
Malcolm is such an important figure in my life that I cannot say anything but positives about him as a man. I will always be indebted to him. But I knew that it couldn’t work when he came back. I knew the chairman, I knew Malcolm, and I knew how they both worked. There was no way they would have been able to work together. It was as simple as that. That’s what the main difference was between the 60s and 1979. In the 60s we had Albert Alexander as chairman who worked wonderfully with Joe and Malcolm, but it was different in 1979. It was such a shame, because I thought we were going somewhere.
Silkman, Allison & Book after Peter Barnes scored v Tottenham 3 February 1979
On a day to day basis, what was it like working during that period?
It varied but there were players like Gary Owen and Peter Barnes who I felt had a lot to offer, but they were moved on. It’s difficult to go through it all, but as we know it failed and we were dismissed in October 1980. I stayed briefly and then became Cardiff manager. I missed Manchester but was delighted that under John Bond that season ended with the FA Cup final against Spurs. I got a phone call from John Bond asking me back to City to look after the youth team and I said I’d think about it. In the meantime there was the FA Cup final and as it was the 100th final they invited all surviving captains of cup winning sides. Myself, Roy Paul, and Joe Mercer (Arsenal) were on the pitch with the others and all of a sudden they announced my name and the City fans erupted into song. It really got to me, emotionally, and I knew I had to come back. It was one of the best feelings I ever had. Returning to City was the right thing and I had a wonderful time working with Ken Barnes, Glyn Pardoe and all those talented young lads. We won the Youth Cup in 1986 and it was a real pleasure being there at the start of so many careers.
This year I’ve interviewed quite a few of the players who had progressed through the youth team while you were there. Every one of them has talked with affection about your approach, driving them on. I think it’s amazing really that your influence has been there at City year after year since 1966. How does it make you feel to have had three great distinct careers at the club?
I love this club and am grateful to all those who brought me here and involved me for so long. Whenever I’ve been given a job to do I’ve always tried to give my best. When it all came to an end in the 90s it hit me hard and there were issues that were well documented, but since then Francis Lee and I have resolved our differences. Actually, I think it says something that so many of our former players come to games these days, and all of those players from that Mercer-Allison team are so proud of how this club is challenging once more. We’re enjoying the success and the consistency season after season. Having said that I loved my days as a player and would never swap them… I would have loved us to have these pitches though. They’re perfect. How great would the likes of Colin Bell have been on these surfaces?
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.
Continuing the series of features on the 1960s, here’s a story involving Colin Bell and Harry Dowd it’s always worth telling… On this day (8th February) in 1964 Manchester City and Bury drew 1-1. It hardly sounds a remarkable game but it was for two reasons – this was Colin Bell’s Bury debut (and he scored!) AND City’s goalkeeper Harry Dowd scored the Blues equaliser.
This was City’s first point of 1964. The Blues were losing 1-0 to a debut goal from Bury youngster and future Blue Colin Bell at Maine Road when Dowd suffered a broken finger in the 54th minute. He was unable to continue in nets but stayed on the field and reverted to centre-forward – a role he’d often played as a youngster.
Scottish forward Matt Gray replaced Dowd in nets and the game continued with the regular ‘keeper keen to impress in attack: “I was restless enough to give it all I’d got. I felt just like a colt on its feet for the first time, pushing and shoving my way through and going for the every ball – many of which I hadn’t a hope of getting. But the moment of glory wasn’t far away, and it seemed the fans were loving every minute of the action.”
“I got the chance to slip the ball to Derek Kevan, his shot hit the bar, and as it bounced down I went lunging in to turn home the equaliser. The newspapers said some very kind things the next day.”
With Dowd’s efforts up front and a fine performance in goal from Gray the Blues secured the point. Gray had managed to keep a clean sheet, although Dowd’s amazing exploits prevented him from receiving the kind of credit that other emergency City ‘keepers Doyle, McDonald, Gleghorn, Quinn and Walker would over the decades that followed.
This game was probably Dowd’s highlight of the season as later on, he found himself dropped with Bert Trautmann returning to the side for three games before even he gave way to Alan Ogley for the final five matches of the season.. At one point Dowd asked for a transfer, but he remained at Maine Road, playing a significant part in the successes that followed under manager Joe Mercer.
If you’re a subscriber you can read the following article on Manchester City during the 1963-64 season. If you’d like to read this 1700 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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On this day (31 January) in 1968 Manchester City defeated Reading 7-0 in a FA Cup replay. As the players left the field the Elm Park tannoy announcer claimed: ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, you have just seen one of the greatest teams England has produced in a long time.’
Goalscorers were Mike Summerbee (3), Colin Bell, Tony Coleman, George Heslop and Neil Young. This photo is of the Bell, Lee & Summerbee statue at the Etihad today.
Dozens of letters arrived at Maine Road commenting on City’s performance. Many Reading fans wrote in saying they could have watched the Blues all night. Other letters arrived commenting on how well behaved the City supporters were, while fans themselves commented on the cheerfulness of the Reading police.
These points may seem trivial today, but in 1968 football had already begun to enter its hooligan period. Football supporters had started to be seen as trouble causers and incidents of violence, or of vandalism, soon found their way into national newspapers. Although City supporters were never totally blameless, during the late 1960s Blues fans continued to gain commendations rather than condemnation.
You can read more on this remarkable, trophy winning season below. If you’d like to read this 7,600 word article (yes, 7,600 words on one season!), 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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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.
Continuing the series of features on the 1960s, here’s a wonderful film from the Manchester derby played at Maine Road on this day (21 January) in 1967:
The game ended in a 1-1 draw before almost 63,000 at City’s old stadium. You can read more on the 1966-67 season (a 3200 word article; plus all other articles on the site) if you 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.
Subscribe to get access
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.
Over the years I met and interviewed Tony Book on many occasions. I last spoke with him at the MCFC Former Players Dinner earlier this season. As a tribute to him I’m posting here an interview I did with him back in May 2015. It wasn’t the first interview I did with him (that was in 1992 about Joe Mercer), but it is a reflective piece with Tony talking about his career. I always think it’s important when someone passes away to use their words where possible to talk about their career. You can read it below.
I’ve posted this exactly as it was written and published in 2015 so, obviously, references are to that era and before.
TALKING CITY WITH GARY JAMES
Tony Book joined City in 1966 and went on to become manager, winning the League Cup in 1976.
Let’s start with your birth certificate and the story that this was altered to give the impression you were a bit younger when signing. Is this true?
Ah, it’s true, but I didn’t actually alter it. My birth certificate had been folded with a heavy crease down it, and I needed it when I was moving from Bath to join Plymouth where Malcolm Allison was the manager. He told them I was 28 but I was 30. Luckily, when I opened out my birth certificate the fold had meant that the final number in the year wasn’t clear, so they just took Malcolm’s word for it! When I came here in 1966 I was 32 – for real – and we never hid my age.
It’s a good job, otherwise you’d have been celebrating your 80th two years late! When you signed for City Malcolm had to persuade Joe Mercer to ignore your age didn’t he?
Yes. Joe was a similar age when he joined Arsenal, as you know Gary, and Malcolm said “look at what you did at Arsenal Joe” – he captained them to a couple of League titles and the FA Cup. Little did we realise that something similar would happen to me at City. I always wanted to be a full time professional footballer and Malcolm gave me the chance. I went playing in Toronto – it was the first time I’d trained in the day because I was a bricklayer by trade and had to train at night back home – before Plymouth and Malcolm came and talked with me after I’d played against a team of Italians over there. He told me how much he liked my play and, well, after that he signed me for Plymouth and then City. I was always grateful to Malcolm, but joining City was perfect. The club under Joe and Malcolm was about to take off and I recognised as soon as I got here that there was a good nucleus of young lads who were ready. Doyle, Pardoe, Oakes, Dowd, Young… the list goes on. I came in just after they’d got promoted and everything felt right. I made my debut at Southampton on 20 August 1966 and, although that match ended goalless, it was clear those lads were enjoying their football. Of course, Summerbee and Bell had been added and then Francis came in October 1967. That’s when we really took off.
Tony Book 1969
How did it feel to be made captain of this team?
When Johnny Crossan left I was made captain because of my experience in football, not because of experience at the highest level because I didn’t have that. But what I did know was football and the way a team operates. I came to professional football late, but back then non-league teams did have quite a few former League players. Some actually gave up League careers because, in the end, they could earn more in non-League and regular employment. I always felt I had something to offer the younger guys because of that experience.
Being totally honest, what did you feel you’d do at City? Did you think you’d be there for as long as you were?
I hoped I’d get a couple of years. That’s all I felt I could get and I would have been very happy with two years at Manchester City, of course. Back then City owned some club houses and I went in one – paying about £2.50 a week! Because of what happened and the way the success came in my second year, Gary, I felt I could go on again. Winning the League in 1968 was like a spark and I wanted to keep the flame going.
Thinking about the title winning season of 1967-68, there were quite a few standout games. What are your memories of those?
There was the Spurs game at Christmas when we sharpened our studs to keep a grip on the surface and we really played a graceful, stylish game. There was the derby at Old Trafford when I made a mistake. I was playing the sweeper role, I let the ball bounce, and George Best went through and stuck it right in the net in the first minute! I couldn’t believe it and the lads lifted me and, Gary, we went on to play a brilliant game. We won 3-1 and that set us on course, but we still had nine games to play. None of us had ever won a major trophy, but Malcolm and Joe were brilliant during that period. Malcolm was great at relaxing us and there was never a doubt in his mind, and then in our minds, that we wouldn’t win it. We believed in ourselves and with Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee and Francis Lee we knew we had that something special that champions need. I always felt that if we went behind one of those three would get us out of trouble. We had a great team throughout of course, and we complimented each other well across the park. We all knew our roles.
After winning the League you suffered an Achilles injury, did you think that was the end?
No, but I was desperate to get back. I tried everything. My leg was in plaster and as soon as they took it off I tried. I played in a reserve game and Sidney Rose, the doctor who was also a director, saw me struggle. I felt it go again. He stuck a needle in me and I had to rest. In the end I went to Christie’s, had a shot of radium, and that seemed to take the sting out of it all. I don’t know whether that was the right treatment or not, but I began training and came back to the first team in January.
Clearly, losing your influential captain for such a large period of the season had its effect on City in the League and in their first European Cup campaign, but once you returned you guided City to FA Cup success. Was this another fairytale season for you?
I guess it was because winning the FA Cup was amazing. It was important for us to keep our success going and the FA Cup was viewed as something special, but I have to tell you Gary, that now, when I look back, I realise that we were not consistent in our challenge for the League. We consistently challenged for trophies, but not in the League. Today, we have such a wonderful team that has been able to challenge for the League season after season, but back then we were more inconsistent. We had good days and bad days, but almost any team in the division could challenge back then. There were no easy games. In 1969 I also shared the FWA player of the year with Dave Mackay, so it was a good season. People had suggested I’d win it the year before because I’d played every game and we’d won the League. I was getting a lot of praise but George Best won it that year. So, the year I won it, it was a surprise. A great feeling and I remember being at the award dinner. For me though, it was an achievement for the entire team. You need a good team around you to win awards like these, and we certainly had a great team.
What are your memories of City in Europe during that time?
There was Malcolm’s boast about scaring Europe which set us up, but then in the ECWC 1969-70 we did. The final is the strongest memory but mostly because of the rain. We had a great following of fans, but few locals and Gornik fans were there, and they were all drenched. I felt so sorry for them. We won the cup, of course, and that season we’d also won the League Cup. I wanted to go on forever by that time. I was enjoying it and those two years became four and I was 36. I couldn’t wait for the next season. I was like an 18 year old who had just been given his chance.
1971 ECWC v Chelsea. Tony Book and mascot Paul Todd. Photo by Alan Jubb
Is there anything from your playing career that you would change if you could?
Ah, yes. I gave the referee an elbow at Ipswich! He’d disallowed a goal. At Ipswich, you had to go down a corridor as you went in at half time and as I turned I deliberately elbowed him. He went down. I was called to an FA disciplinary meeting and the first question they asked was “would you like your past record to be taken into consideration?” Well, I’d only been a pro for a couple of years so I said yes, thinking it’ll be great. They then brought out information going years back from my non-league days and it all worked against me!
When it came time to retire from playing, was that your choice?
No. Johnny Hart had been manager but was ill and Peter Swales asked me to take over on a temporary basis in October 1973. I managed the team for about five weeks until Ron Saunders came in and he had a chat with me suggesting I was needed more as a coach/assistant than a player. I wish now I’d said I wanted to finish playing at the end of the season because I think that would have helped him more. There were issues between him and some of the playing squad and I think I could have helped him, had I been a player. He was insistent though.
Ron Saunders, Peter Swales and Tony Book at Saunders appointment in November 1973
It’s a shame because we got to the League Cup final (1974) and with you in that team, maybe things would have gone differently. Saunders didn’t last as manager and was gone in April that year. How did you feel?
You see things happening but are unable to change it. It was tough. I ended up being given the manager’s job and it was a strange period because we’d had turmoil over that season. I also had to start looking at my pals, the players I had won trophies with, and explain that they needed to move on. I didn’t want to do that and I found it very hard. Awful!
As a manager I was proud that in the five years that followed we won the League Cup, finished runners up by a point to Liverpool, and we were in Europe for three consecutive seasons. I had some good players that came in – Dave Watson, Brian Kidd, Asa Hartford – and did an excellent job for me. I felt we were on our way.
From the moment you took on the job it was progress all the way through and, just before Malcolm returned as ‘coaching overlord’ in January 1979, we had reached the UEFA Cup quarter finals. What was it that made you a success in that role?
The players. It’s always about the players you manage to sign and what they do for you. I was more like Joe Mercer as a manager and had good coaches working with me. Bill Taylor was recommended to me by Don Revie and he was a great coach.
Tony Book, Peter Swales and Kaziu Deyna at Deyna’s signing for Manchester City
City may not have won many trophies during your spell as manager, but we came close, had some great players and, significantly, this was an exciting period to watch. Then Malcolm came back. Did you welcome the return?
Malcolm is such an important figure in my life that I cannot say anything but positives about him as a man. I will always be indebted to him. But I knew that it couldn’t work when he came back. I knew the chairman, I knew Malcolm, and I knew how they both worked. There was no way they would have been able to work together. It was as simple as that. That’s what the main difference was between the 60s and 1979. In the 60s we had Albert Alexander as chairman who worked wonderfully with Joe and Malcolm, but it was different in 1979. It was such a shame, because I thought we were going somewhere.
Silkman, Allison & Book after Peter Barnes scored v Tottenham 3 February 1979
On a day to day basis, what was it like working during that period?
It varied but there were players like Gary Owen and Peter Barnes who I felt had a lot to offer, but they were moved on. It’s difficult to go through it all, but as we know it failed and we were dismissed in October 1980. I stayed briefly and then became Cardiff manager. I missed Manchester but was delighted that under John Bond that season ended with the FA Cup final against Spurs. I got a phone call from John Bond asking me back to City to look after the youth team and I said I’d think about it. In the meantime there was the FA Cup final and as it was the 100th final they invited all surviving captains of cup winning sides. Myself, Roy Paul, and Joe Mercer (Arsenal) were on the pitch with the others and all of a sudden they announced my name and the City fans erupted into song. It really got to me, emotionally, and I knew I had to come back. It was one of the best feelings I ever had. Returning to City was the right thing and I had a wonderful time working with Ken Barnes, Glyn Pardoe and all those talented young lads. We won the Youth Cup in 1986 and it was a real pleasure being there at the start of so many careers.
This year I’ve interviewed quite a few of the players who had progressed through the youth team while you were there. Every one of them has talked with affection about your approach, driving them on. I think it’s amazing really that your influence has been there at City year after year since 1966. How does it make you feel to have had three great distinct careers at the club?
I love this club and am grateful to all those who brought me here and involved me for so long. Whenever I’ve been given a job to do I’ve always tried to give my best. When it all came to an end in the 90s it hit me hard and there were issues that were well documented, but since then Francis Lee and I have resolved our differences. Actually, I think it says something that so many of our former players come to games these days, and all of those players from that Mercer-Allison team are so proud of how this club is challenging once more. We’re enjoying the success and the consistency season after season. Having said that I loved my days as a player and would never swap them… I would have loved us to have these pitches though. They’re perfect. How great would the likes of Colin Bell have been on these surfaces?
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.
Continuing the series of features on the 1960s, here’s a subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1968-69 season. Another trophy winning season. If you’d like to read this 6,000 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.
Subscribe to get access
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.
Continuing the series of features on the 1960s, here’s a subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1967-68 season. A trophy winning season. If you’d like to read this 7,600 word article (yes, 7,600 words on one season!), 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.
Subscribe to get access
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.
Gary James' Football Archive 