Continuing the series of features on the 1960s, here’s a subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1966-67 season. Yet another important season in City’s development. If you’d like to read this 3200 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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Sorry to hear the news that Manchester City’s Scottish defender Bobby Kennedy has died. To remember his footballing life, here’s an interview I did with him in 2005 (as it was published at the time):
Defender Bobby Kennedy proved to be a popular player after joining the Blues in 1961. He went on to make 251 (plus 3 as sub) appearances for City over a seven year period and was a key member of City’s mid sixties side. In April 2005 Gary James caught up with him at the stadium.
Let’s start with your childhood in Motherwell. How important was football to you as a boy?
We all played football and I was a Motherwell fan. I used to go all over Scotland watching them and as I got older my school used to go to Motherwell to train, so all of that was very important and made a big impression of course. But football in Scotland wasn’t as professional as in England, so I never thought about it as a career. I wanted to progress, but I didn’t think it would pay my wage. I ended up working as an engineer, co-incidentally with Ian St. John, and then I joined Kilmarnock and he signed for Motherwell. I’d also played for a village team and Joe Baker played for the same team.
At Kilmarnock you played in the Scottish Cup Final, that must have been a great experience?
Yes it was, and we also played in the Scottish League Cup Final, but each time we faced Rangers, so there was only ever going to be one winner unfortunately! I had a great time at Kilmarnock and I never really thought about leaving, and I suppose I never really thought about English football. It was never at the forefront of our minds, and then we went on a tour to the States and we played Burnley and we beat them. Now Burnley were one of the top English clubs back then and so this was a real test for us, but that day everything went well and I remember that playing Burnley was regarded by us as a major event. I’d never played against a strong English side, and so that made me think a little.
Not long after that City made their approach, was that the first time you’d heard of any interest in you from England?
Oh Aye. I never heard of any interest, but then I never thought in that way. When City got in touch with Kilmarnock, money was tight and I think they needed to sell someone, so it was good for them. Plus the maximum wage had just been abolished in English football and so when the offer came I was astounded with the wage they were offering. I was on £22 and City offered £38 I think. These figures will seem like peanuts today but believe me this was a major increase. Having said that I still thought long and hard about the move.
How did you find Manchester when you arrived in 1961?
I was fortunate that Jackie Plenderleith was at City because he looked after me and helped me settle, but it felt like an entirely different way of life. At first Jackie would take me and my wife to the pubs and clubs – I guess he wanted to show the different areas and help us get accustomed to the place – but I remember we felt a bit homesick and me and my wife started to talking and, even though she had worked in Glasgow, it felt alien to some extent and we stuck out a little. We knew that once we’d found a house and made it our home we wouldn’t be going out so much, so that became our priority and we eventually settled. David Shawcross and a few others also helped us settle.
On the pitch I couldn’t have had a better start. We beat Leicester 3-1 in my first game and I even scored against the great Gordon Banks. The fans loved that and I think they supported me from the beginning, although it was a little tough at first. Denis Law, who was a great hero to the fans, had been sold, and Ken Barnes, another hero, had also moved on, and their replacements were me and Peter Dobing. For a lot of fans – and I can totally understand this – we were not an improvement. Usually when you bring players in you try to improve the side, but when we joined I don’t think anyone believed the side had improved. Nevertheless the fans took to me and I think they recognised that I always gave 100% – City fans rightly demand that and they will often overlook a player’s weaknesses so long as he shows the same commitment to the Club as they do.
You were an everpresent in your first season, then in November 1962 you were awarded the captaincy. How did that feel?
I was very happy with that because I suppose my 100% commitment had helped, but I have to say it didn’t change a great deal. I shook hands with the opposition captain, tossed the coin, selected the end, but apart from that I continued to do what I’d always done. Every member of the side should act like a captain, so when you do get the captaincy it shouldn’t change too much. Obviously, I tried to lead by example and tried to help younger players or anyone struggling, but I’d expect every player to do that anyway.
The 1962-3 season ended in relegation, then City seemed to lack direction for the next couple of seasons, how did this period feel to you?
It was worrying of course, and I guess the game we all talk about is that match with Swindon when there were only 8,000 at Maine Road. That was a miserable day. My strongest recollection is that our groundsman Stan Gibson would put grass seed out at the start of spring to try and get the pitch going for the next season. Growing a pitch then was much more difficult. Anyway, Stand had sown seeds prior to the Swindon game, and during the match the atmosphere was very poor. Pigeons came on to the turf and sat eating the seed in the middle of the pitch. We had to play around them!
After the game there was a bit of a demonstration and one or two bricks were thrown – that was a major disturbance at the time because general disorder was not known – and little Albert Alexander went out to face the fans. It was a brave thing to do but Albert was an absolute Blue and felt the pain of the day himself. I think, after listening to Albert, the fans all just packed up and went home, but in the dressing room some of the players were saying they’d had enough. They wanted to leave… saw no future etc. I didn’t feel like that because, even in City’s darkest hour, I still couldn’t see anywhere better to go. It had been the worst day of my footballing life, but I loved Maine Road, loved the support, and I saw Manchester City as the best club in the world. Why move?
Talking of Albert Alexander, I must ask you about the story from 1968 of ‘Bobby Kennedy’s shooting’?
This is a pretty famous one. The story goes that while we were in the States on tour Bobby Kennedy, John F Kennedy’s brother, was shot. Joe Mercer heard the news from his hotel bed and immediately ‘phoned Albert’s room and said: “Have you heard, Bobby Kennedy’s been shot?” and Albert replied: “What’s he doing out at this time?” Some people have tried to make out that Albert was perhaps the type of director who didn’t have his finger on the pulse, but in truth Albert was such an obsessed City man that nothing but Manchester City really mattered. So as far as he was concerned on that night there was only one Bobby Kennedy worth thinking of. I know this has since appeared in a book – I won’t say which one – as the author’s own story but the truth is that its Joe and Albert’s story and that Albert was such a passionate Blue that even a member of the famous Kennedy family was not as important as a City man.
It wasn’t long before Joe Mercer came. How did you view the managerial changes and appointments during this period?
I started under Les McDowall who was very much an old school manager – shirt & tie, office type. You rarely saw him but when you did it was usual when he was unveiling one of his new tactical plans. Everyone knows about the Revie Plan, that was before my time, but McDowall was still creating plans during his final seasons. We had one where we played with 5 at the back and I had a number 7 shirt on. It’s difficult to explain but he basically mixed everything up. Anyway, we played a friendly against Burnley in Dublin (12/10/62) and tried it out. It worked like a dream and McDowall thought it was the Bees Knees. We came back to England, played it against Birmingham and we were awful. It was soon scrapped.
Actually McDowall would probably have excelled in today’s game because he was absolutely driven with tactical formations. After he left pipe smoking George Poyser took over. That wasn’t a dynamic period at all and I guess that’s when the rot really set in, although we still had some very good players – Alex Harley, Matt Gray and the rest. Poyser was sacked and for the last part of the 1964-65 season Freddie Tilson took over. In the close season I returned to Scotland for a few weeks as we always did and by the time I came back Joe and Malcolm were here.
How different was life under Mercer & Allison?
At first it was a bit strange. I’d ended the 1964-5 season playing at centre-half and I think they were led to believe that was my position. When the new season started I wasn’t included and they played Dave Bacuzzi at right back instead. They weren’t really happy with that and then Johnny Hart suggested putting me into the number 2 shirt. I stayed there for the rest of the season other than one game.
In terms of training, Malcolm allowed us to train with the ball. That was new – our training under the others had consisted of a few laps of the pitch and a run up Princess Parkway. Malcolm actually allowed us to practice ball skills. Ironically, after promotion he then got us running again – much harder than before of course!
Did you see much of Joe?
Joe was great of course, but we also knew that he’d been ill and so it was clear that he wasn’t going to be on the training pitch with us. Joe did an awful lot of work at the Club, but it was only really at the end of the week that he’d be talking with you at training. In fact what usually happened was that Joe would come down, take me for a walk around the pitch with his arm around me, and tell me that I wasn’t playing. That I’d not been selected. By the time we returned to the tunnel area, I’d be thanking him for not picking me!
By the time of the 1967-8 Championship you were more a squad member than first team regular, how did that feel?
The spirit and atmosphere at the Club was so great that I still had no interest in leaving. This was still the greatest club and I always reasoned that I’d be mad to leave it. Funnily enough the peak moment as far as the Club was concerned during my spell here has to be the Newcastle title decider in May 1968. If you look at the records, I’m the unused substitute for that day. I was desperate to get on, but I knew there was no way they’d disrupt the team. After we’d won the title I appeared on all the photos, lifting the trophy and the rest, but in truth I knew it wasn’t my success, although I had appeared in half a dozen of the games. I was still delighted though.
A couple of years earlier when Mercer first arrived another Scot Ralph Brand was his first signing, his career didn’t really succeed at City, do you have a view on why?
At that time Ralph had been a big star in Scotland and was an international player but, I guess, so much was expected of him that it may have put too much pressure. It’s difficult to say but he and Mike Summerbee arrived more or less at the same time and Mike succeeded from the start. It was a dream for me to play behind him because he made my life so easy. All I had to do was get the ball and give it to Mike. With Ralph there was a lot of competition for his place – Neil Young and Dave Connor really leaped above him once Malcolm started working with them. I was fortunate when I arrived that there wasn’t too much competition but, as time progressed, Tony Book was signed and opportunities became limited for me.
In March 1969 you moved to Grimsby as player-manager, had you decided it was time to move into management?
To some extent yes. I knew I was nearing the end of my playing career and decided to look at other options. Joe told me there might be a coaching role coming up and that did interest me, but then Grimsby made an approach – Matt Busby had suggested me to them – and the chance came to continue playing as well as move into management. I took the chance, but I now realise that I might have been better moving into a coaching role first to gain experience. At Grimsby there were 14 directors who each had to vote on every issue. You couldn’t get anything done and I was unable to move forward. The fans took to me and the last few months of the season everything clicked on the pitch and we had a terrific record, but the directors and I could never work together in the end and that was that. I was asked to do some coaching work at Bradford City, and then I became manager when Bryan Edwards left.
It was a good club to be at and the directors worked hard, so that all helped. We got to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, losing to Southampton, so it was all good. We beat John Bond’s Norwich in a tie, and he went mad, saying that we shouldn’t be in the League etc. We got promoted, I was given a two year contract then three months later I was sacked!
Jim Iley then gave me a coaching job at Blackburn, but he was sacked shortly afterwards, and I knew it was only a matter of time before a new manager would bring his own staff in. When I was asked to leave I thought it was time to call it a day. I gave up on a football career and, through a friend in Manchester, I was asked to get involved with the clothing business and, at the age of 67 it’s something I still do. A great new career.
Finally, it’s fair to say football still plays a major part in your life. Your son’s coaching young goalkeepers at Bradford, and your daughter has represented Scotland at Women’s football. How does this feel?
It’s great to know that they are still finding enjoyment out of the game. I watch my grandchildren play, and of course I did go and support my daughter when she was playing for Scotland and Bradford. I think ladies football is great and I’ve seen some very talented players. It’s a great sport to play.
As well as that I try to come to watch City whenever I can. There’s still something about this club that is special.
On this day (12 January) in 1966 Manchester City defeated Rotherham 3-1 with goals from Mike Doyle (2) and Johnny Crossan (the photo is of course of Mike Doyle in the following decade at Maine Road). 1965-66 was an important season in MCFC history and you can read more on it in the following 4100 word article. This (plus all other articles on the site) is available to subscribers (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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Continuing the series of features on the 1960s, here’s a subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1965-66 season. This was an important season in City’s development. If you’d like to read this 4100 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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Continuing the series of features on the 1960s, here’s a subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1961-62 season. If you’d like to read this 1600 word article, plus all other articles on the site, then please subscribe (see below). As with most of the other features in this series it includes words from interviews I have performed with those who were there.
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On this day (24 December) in 1948 the great maverick Mancunian footballer Stan Bowles was born. Here’s a profile of him…
Bowles joined City as an amateur on 27 July 1965, becoming an apprentice on 1 October 1965 and then professional on 29 December 1966.
Then in 1967 things really began to happen and Bowles’ first game was as a substitute in a League Cup tie at home to Leicester City. He scored two goals in the second half and the following Saturday he made his League debut another memorable one. He scored two again!
Lots of stories have circulated over the years about his time at City. Like Mario Balotelli many years later some are truthful; others are exaggerations and some are completely make up.
The stories go that Bowles once missed a flight to Amsterdam where City were to play against Ajax, and that Bowles’ interest in the horses led to Joe Mercer saying: ‘If Stan could pass a betting shop like he can pass a ball, he’d be a world beater.’ Suspensions and other issues led to Stan refusing to sign a new contract and he asked to leave. That in itself led to him being suspended for 14 days on the advice of the Football League.
Inevitably Bowles moved on, first to Bury (July 1970) and then to Crewe (September 1970).
A spell at Carlisle followed and then in September 1972 a bid of £110,000 took him to Loftus Road where he won five England caps as a QPR player.
Seven years later Nottingham Forest’s Brian Clough bought him for £210,000 but sold him again less than a year later after further issues. Further spells were reported at Orient, Brentford, Hounslow and Epping.
In 2015 it was announced he was suffering with Alzheimer’s Disease, like his former boss Joe Mercer. Bowles died on 24 February 2024.
At City Bowles made a total of 20 first team appearances, scoring 4 goals, but he remains recognised as a hugely talented player.
There are articles on this site mentioning Bowles. Here’s a selection:
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Roy Cheetham was born in Manchester on this day Manchester born (21 December) in 1939. He joined Manchester City from school in 1956 and went on to become a loyal clubman over a 12 year Maine Road career. In total he made 138 (plus five as sub) League and cup appearances, but he also made a staggering 218 Reserves games for the Blues. Sadly, Roy passed away on 8 December 2019. I met up with him at City’s stadium shortly before Christmas 2004 for an interview. Here for subscribers is that interview. He talks about his City career, moving to Detroit to play in the American soccer league of the time and more:
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On this day (10 November) in 1956 the great Don Revie left Manchester City for Sunderland. Revie had been in and out of favour with manager Les McDowall for over a year, but fans recognised his qualities. Here for subscribers is a profile of Don. Enjoy.
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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 3rd 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.
Joe Corrigan after an amazing save at Arsenal 6 February 1971
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Last night’s Champions League victory over Sparta Prague was not the first time the Czech side travelled to Manchester to face the Blues. Back on 11 December 1967 Sparta were at Maine Road ready to face City but the game was called off that evening as fans queued to enter the ground. The pitch had been frozen earlier but as the ground thawed it became waterlogged.
That night Sparta invited City to a friendly in Prague but that game never occurred either.
Of course the 1967-68 season ended with City as League champions.
Gary James' Football Archive 