Tag Archives: Joe Mercer

Back in November twenty years ago I interviewed the former England international goalkeeper Joe Corrigan. He made 592 League, Cup and European appearances with Manchester City between 1967 and 1983.  I caught up with him at Stockport’s training ground in November 2004 and this article was first published that month. Enjoy!

Let’s start with your school days.  I believe you went to a rugby playing school?

I went to Sale Grammar School and there was no football at all.  I played rugby union for the school and for Cheshire, and I guess that helped my ball control, catching ability etc.  Despite this, I always wanted to be a ‘keeper and I played football at any opportunity really.  When I started as an apprentice at AEI in Trafford Park the chance came to play for the works side and I played at centre-half.  I had no choice about that – I wanted to play ‘keeper.  I guess my size made me a defender.  

Then one day I had to go in nets at half time and I suppose I must have looked all right because I was encouraged to go for a trial.  Both City and United were contacted, and a reply came from Maine Road within a fortnight.  After the trial Harry Godwin, City’s Chief Scout, asked me to sign and I joined a youth set up that included Tommy Booth and Ray Hatton – Boxer Ricky Hatton’s dad.

United offered me a trial as well, but once City showed the interest they did I turned them down.  I wanted to be loyal and City had faith in me.  That mattered a great deal.

You mentioned you’d always wanted to be a ‘keeper, who were your early heroes?

There were two – Harry Gregg and Bert Trautmann.  I was fortunate enough to go on loan to Shrewsbury when Gregg was there and he taught me so much.  He really helped.  Trautmann of course was a phenomenal ‘keeper and a wonderful man.  Being a City legend he was the type of ‘keeper I aspired to.  He offered me good advice as well.

I remember one day after West Ham had beaten us 5-1 – it was Jimmy Greaves’ debut (21/3/70) – I felt awful.  It was my first proper season and I felt I’d ruined my chance.  This was the game when my clearance went straight to Ronnie Boyce and he sent it straight back over my head.  When something like that happens, being a goalkeeper is the loneliest job in the world.

Anyway, I was told that Bert was at the game.  He took me to one side and told me not to worry about that result or that goal.  He pointed out that these things can happen to any ‘keeper and that he’d had some awful individual moments.  I felt much better after that and, I guess, because he had said it, it meant more than if the manager or anyone else had said it.  Bert had been one of football’s greatest ‘keepers and so he knew more than most about how I was feeling.  Mind you, it didn’t stop the BBC showing the goal whenever they had the opportunity!

One of my strongest early City memories is of you watching Bert play in Johnny Hart’s testimonial in 1974.  How did that feel?

Bert was such a great player that I thought it’d be good to crouch on the touchline and just watch.  Even at that age – he must have been 51 – he was fit and agile and someone you could learn from.  The only problem was that I had to tell him he was coming off!  I went over to him and a bloke in the stand shouted, “leave him in nets, he’s still better than you!”  

Thinking about your early City days, you made a couple of League Cup appearances in 1967/8 and then 1969/70 saw you make your League debut.  You made 34 League appearances and also played in the ECWC Cup run.  Did winning the ECWC make you feel as if you’d ‘made it’ as a player?

Never!  I never felt that.  Even when I was playing for England I didn’t take anything for granted.  Playing in the ECWC final was awesome.  It was a terribly wet night and the crowd was low, but that didn’t detract from the importance at all.  To play in such a great side and at that level is a tremendous feeling but you have to keep your feet on the ground.  I’m glad I did, because it wasn’t long before it looked as if my City career was over.

You remained first choice for most of the period up to the signing of Keith MacRae in October 1973, did his arrival feel like the end for you?

Definitely!  They paid an incredible amount – I think it was a world record fee for a ‘keeper – so you know that he has to be first choice. You don’t pay that and leave him in the reserves.  Plus he was a great ‘keeper.  No question.

I was on my way out and this was a very difficult time.  The Club was also going through a few managerial changes, so it wasn’t easy. Then in 1975 Keith was injured shortly before the transfer deadline.  I thought I’d get back in, but I bought the Evening News and saw photos and names of a whole host of ‘keepers that the Club were supposed to be interested in.  It seemed to me at the time that anybody but Corrigan would do.  This was a tormenting time.  I couldn’t bear it.  Every night it was the same.

Fortunately for me transfer day came and went and no one was bought.  I don’t know if time ran out or what, but I know I was relieved.  

You got back into the side and retained your place when MacRae was fit.  What was the turning point?

I’d been working hard when I was in the Reserves.  I’d tried to develop and I was determined not to lose whatever opportunity came my way.  Having said that, we had mixed results and I was worried.  Then we played at Wolves and they were all over us.  I remember Dougan and Richards both came up for a cross and I was whacked.  The ball ended up in the net and I felt awful.  Then the ref blew for a foul on me and from that moment on the luck was on my side.  I truly believe that a lot of football is about luck and opportunity and that day everything switched to my favour.  We beat Chelsea and Burnley in the weeks that followed and I only missed 1 League game in the following 5 seasons. 

You became a major hero over those seasons, how do you think the fans treated you throughout your City career?

There were two definite spells.  The early years when received a lot of criticism – I accept that because if you pay your money you are entitled to say what you think, but it was difficult to take at times.  Then there were the later years when I had matured and developed, and the fans gave me incredible support.  I loved going to events like the Junior Blues and meeting real fans.  I think we had it drummed into us when we first arrived at the Club by Joe Mercer that supporters are the most important people – they pay your wages and you must never forget that!  Once the Junior Blues were created it was stressed that these children would in the future pay your wages.  They are not simply here for a party, they are here because you are an important part of their lives.  Every player should always make the effort.

I had it drummed into me by Mercer that you should visit hospitals and kids homes and the like.  It’s all great PR for the Club and the player.  Actually, when I was playing in the States at Seattle a local policeman was shot.  I was appalled and told the team I was going to see him in hospital.  They all thought I was out of my mind.  “Why do it?  What is he to you?”  I went to see him, invited him to a game, and he loved it, but I was stunned to find that I made the news.  The headlines read “Do Gooder Joe Corrigan” – they made out I was a saint, but all I was doing was the PR that was the norm at City.

Thinking of fans, Helen Turner (the lady with the bell) must hold special memories for you?

She always sat behind me in the North Stand and before every game she would give me a sprig of heather for good luck.  At away games she wasn’t always near me, so sometimes it was difficult for her to get the heather to me.  If I hadn’t received it by kick off time I’d be worried.  Partly I’d wonder if she was all right, but I also used to worry about my luck.  If ever we lost and I’d not seen Helen I’d believe that was the reason.  She’s a marvellous, devoted fan, and I know she’s done a tremendous amount of work for good causes.

Your career spanned several managerial reigns, is there one manager who stands out as the best for you?

Because the goalkeeper’s role is so specialised, I gained most from other goalies such as Trautmann and Gregg, but Joe Mercer was the greatest City manager of all time.  He was such a warm, nice man.  He knew how to tell you off as well, of course, but his enthusiasm and love of football was clear.  Malcolm Allison, as coach, was tremendous.  He was doing stuff in 1969 that coaches are only just introducing now and often they claim it’s a new idea!  He tried to make sure the ‘keepers received their own coaching and specialist time, and when Tony Book became manager he tried to ensure this developed further.  Coaches Bill Taylor and Ian McFarlane worked hard with me and I used to come in on the morning of a game to do additional training.  The view was that I would get used to the actual conditions of the day and this definitely worked.

If we were playing away I’d train in the hotel grounds, or in a park.  On the morning of the 1981 FA Cup final I was training in a public park.

Thinking of the 1981 final, one of my key memories is of you immediately going over to Tommy Hutchison when he scored the own goal.  You lifted him up, patted him on the back and whispered something to him.  What encouragement did you give?

My view was that we still had a few minutes left.  We’d still been on top for most of the game.  We could still win.  I also knew that what had happened to him could have happened to any one of us.  So I just told him to “get up, get on with it.  It’s only 1-1 and we are still going to win!”  He was devastated to be fair, but we did almost win it in the dying minutes.  Personally, I believe the game should have been played to a conclusion on that night.  The FA Cup is all about the Saturday and I know we would have won had it gone to a conclusion.  I never liked facing penalties – I think I only saved two – but that night we’d have won.  No question.  The Saturday was our day, after that it all switched.  

Tottenham had no travelling to do; their fans could buy tickets from either Spurs or directly from Wembley’s allocation; and our fans were simply outnumbered in the replay even though we were by far a better supported team.

Despite our eventual defeat, you were made ‘man of the final’ for your performance.  That must have felt like a great achievement.

Obviously, it does mean a lot to me, but I’d rather have won the final.  After the second match I was presented with it by the Spurs manager Keith Burkenshaw.  I remember thanking him and then saying something like “Good luck in Europe next season” and at that very moment it hit home to me what had happened.  I suddenly realised that we’d lost and that we wouldn’t be playing in Europe.  I was devastated.  It was an awful feeling.  I missed out in another way because the game went to a replay.  England were playing Brazil at Wembley on the Wednesday after the final and, although there was nothing official, I understand I was due to play, but the replay (played the following night) meant I couldn’t play.

You played during many great seasons, what were your own highlights?

There were two great sides – the one I joined in the 60s that had already achieved so much and the mid to late 70s.  Both sides were tremendous and the players really knew how to entertain.  Colin Bell was a truly great player and I’m certain he would have gone on to captain England had it not been for that horrific injury.  Losing him was the biggest blow this club has had to face.  He bridged the two great sides and had he been fully fit he would have helped that late 70s side achieve the League title.  People often forget how good that late 70s side was – Dave Watson, Dennis Tueart, Joe Royle, Willie Donachie and the rest.  

The John Bond transformation was great as well.  Steve Mackenzie’s goal in the 81 replay has to be one of the greatest Cup Final goals of all time.  The problem with that replay was that Hutchison and Gow had given so much in the first game that they must have been drained for the second match.  They still did well, but they didn’t have enough time to recover in between games. Kevin Reeves was injured early on and that was a major blow – he is one of City’s most underrated players.  Reeves was a very, very good player.

Let’s talk about England.  You were unfortunate to play when there were so many great English ‘keepers.  Do you ever wish you’d played at another time?

No.  I enjoyed playing when I did.  It was good that there were so many great ‘keepers around because that pushed you more.  Sadly, for me it meant I’d have to try and reach a level above Shilton, Clemence, Parkes, and Rimmer.  If I’d been an outfield player, it may have been easier because with a goalie there is only one place to fill.  When I did play for England it meant more than anything else – in football playing for the national side is the highest honour you can have.  One of my favourite performances was when I played against Brazil – the best team in the world at the time by a long way – and we managed a 1-1 draw.  I was under pressure the whole time and remember a couple of saves I am particularly proud of.

Did you enjoy being under pressure more than trouble free games?

Sometimes ‘trouble-free’ games are the worst because you have to be more alert.  It would be easy to sit back and focus on other things, but then if you’re tested you could fail.  I remember one game I had no saves to make at all, but I acme off the pitch totally drained.  Everyone said ‘what’s up with you, you’ve done nothing?’  I would much have preferred to be under pressure for 90 minutes. 

Eventually you left City.  First for Seattle Sounders and later for Brighton, why did you move on?

I think I should have left a little earlier.  I love City but it got to the stage where I knew I wasn’t really wanted here.  The fans were marvellous; the players were great; but maybe it wasn’t really my time any more.  I was approached by Spurs, shortly after the Cup Final, and then Liverpool after we’d beat them 3-1 (Boxing Day 1981) but both moves were blocked, so that made it clear someone still wanted me, but then when Seattle made their approach in 1983 I was told I could go.  Something had changed.

At Seattle I had a great time and the pressures were completely different.  It was a wonderful time.  Sadly, City were relegated while I was away and I felt awful.  It really hit me.  I know I wouldn’t have changed things – Alex Williams did an excellent job – but I felt the same pain I would have felt had I been here.  I worried about the fans.  Funnily enough when I was in the States I played a game at New York and I wasn’t happy with our performance and tactics and I shouted a bit of abuse at the bench.  My own supporters started booing me and telling me I shouldn’t swear at a football match – in my early days at City I was given abuse for being too quiet!  It was all so different.

You eventually moved into coaching – something you still do today.  Presumably, you enjoy putting something back in to the game. 

That day when Bert Trautmann came to offer advice and reassure me in 1969 meant so much to me that I guess I’ve always felt I should do the same.  Bert and the other ‘keepers taught me more than other coaches could because they had been there.  They had experience what I was experiencing, and I feel that I need to do the same.  I’ve coached all over the UK and, at one point, I was flying to Scotland, driving to Yorkshire and the north-east the next day… every day I was on the road.  Then I had ten very enjoyable years at Liverpool, and now there’s Stockport and Chester as well.  It’s great to put something back.

Finally, you were one of the inaugural entrants in to City’s Hall Of Fame.  You received the 3^rd highest number of votes after Trautmann and then Bell.  How does it feel to still be remembered by fans in this way?

The Hall of Fame is such a wonderful honour.  On the night I had no idea.  I was interviewed by TV and thought I was making up the numbers but then I was the first one up.  I was choked, truly choked, and couldn’t get the right words in to my head.  Can I take this opportunity to pass on my thoughts to Norah Mercer – Joe Mercer was a fantastic man and he made such a big impression on me when I was first starting out.  Also, I’d like to thank all the players who have worked with me, and of course the supporters.  I was deeply touched by the award.