John Davies – Gary James' Football Archive

Manchester 1840-1919 (Part Nine)

Every week I’m posting a section from my book ‘The Emergence of Footballing Cultures: Manchester 1840-1919’. It tells the story of the origins of men’s football in Manchester and discusses the birth of both City and United plus the clubs that predated them such as Hulme Athenaeum, Manchester AFC, Birch etc. Today’s section is the eighth chapter of the book (a 11,200 word section). This focuses on the establishment of Manchester United and demise of Newton Heath, plus the first major trophy won by one of the city’s clubs. Fans of both Manchester’s League teams should find something in it for them as it talks of how Manchester gained its footballing identity. Bury fans will also be happy as this talks of their FA Cup successes too.

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Gates Closed as Manchester City Beat Aston Villa

Today (30 August) in 1920 Aston Villa were defeated by Manchester City 3-1 with goals from Tommy Browell (2) and Billy Murphy. A crowd officially recorded as 40,000 at the time (it says 35,000 in this report) watched the match at Hyde Road. The turnstiles had to be closed before kick off as the ground was packed.

For more on this season why not read the following 2,350 word subscriber article. If you subscribe (see below) I hope you enjoy it. If you are not currently a subscriber then why not try it for a month (£3 per month or sign up for a year at a discounted £20 per year)?

Here’s the article:

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As well as subscriber pieces this series on the 1920s includes some free articles. Watch out for a daily post.

Manchester City 3 Bolton Wanderers 1

On this day (2 October) in 1920 Bolton Wanderers were defeated by Manchester City 3-1 with goals from Tommy Browell, Fred Fayers and Wilf Woodcock. A crowd recorded as 40,000 at the time watched the match at Hyde Road.

For more on this season why not read the following 2,350 word subscriber article. If you subscribe (see below) I hope you enjoy it. If you are not currently a subscriber then why not try it for a month (£3 per month or sign up for a year at a discounted £20 per year)?

Here’s the article:

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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 a month (cancel anytime) or sign up for a year at £20 per year. Subscribers have access to the 1000s of articles, features, interviews etc. posted so far and all those posted during your subscription.

As well as subscriber pieces this series on the 1920s includes some free articles. Watch out for a daily post.

Manchester City 3 Arsenal 1

On this day (18 September) in 1920 Arsenal were defeated by Manchester City 3-1 with goals from Horace Barnes, Tommy Browell and Billy Murphy. A crowd recorded as 38,000 at the time watched the match at Hyde Road.

For more on this season why not read the following 2,350 word subscriber article. If you subscribe (see below) I hope you enjoy it. If you are not currently a subscriber then why not try it for a month (£3 per month or sign up for a year at a discounted £20 per year)?

Here’s the article:

Subscribe to get access

Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 a month (cancel anytime) or sign up for a year at £20 per year. Subscribers have access to the 1000s of articles, features, interviews etc. posted so far and all those posted during your subscription.

As well as subscriber pieces this series on the 1920s includes some free articles. Watch out for a daily post.

Manchester City 3 Liverpool 2

On this day (4 September) in 1920 Liverpool were defeated by Manchester City 3-2 with a City hat trick from Tommy Browell. A crowd recorded as 30,000 at the time watched the match at Hyde Road.

For more on this season why not read the following 2,350 word subscriber article. If you subscribe (see below) I hope you enjoy it. If you are not currently a subscriber then why not try it for a month (£3 per month or sign up for a year at a discounted £20 per year)?

Here’s the article:

Subscribe to get access

Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 a month (cancel anytime) or sign up for a year at £20 per year. Subscribers have access to the 1000s of articles, features, interviews etc. posted so far and all those posted during your subscription.

As well as subscriber pieces this series on the 1920s includes some free articles. Watch out for a daily post.

Manchester City 3 Aston Villa 1

On this day (30 August) in 1920 Aston Villa were defeated by Manchester City 3-1 with goals from Tommy Browell (2) and Billy Murphy. A crowd recorded as 40,000 at the time watched the match at Hyde Road.

For more on this season why not read the following 2,350 word subscriber article. If you subscribe (see below) I hope you enjoy it. If you are not currently a subscriber then why not try it for a month (£3 per month or sign up for a year at a discounted £20 per year)?

Here’s the article:

Subscribe to get access

Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 a month (cancel anytime) or sign up for a year at £20 per year. Subscribers have access to the 1000s of articles, features, interviews etc. posted so far and all those posted during your subscription.

As well as subscriber pieces this series on the 1920s includes some free articles. Watch out for a daily post.

The 1920s: A Neighbour In Need

The new series on Manchester City in the 1920s continues today with a 2,350 word subscriber article on the 1920-21 season. If you subscribe (see below) I hope you enjoy it. If you are not currently a subscriber then why not try it for a month (£3 per month or sign up for a year at a discounted £20 per year)?

Here’s the article:

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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 a month (cancel anytime) or sign up for a year at £20 per year. Subscribers have access to the 1000s of articles, features, interviews etc. posted so far and all those posted during your subscription.

As well as subscriber pieces this series on the 1920s includes some free articles. Watch out for a daily post.

An Incredible Crowd and Day in 1921

Gary James considers a time when Burnley and City battled for the League

Today I’m taking a look back to 101 years ago today when, believe it or not, both City and Burnley were major rivals for the League title. People often assume today’s giants have always been the game’s powers but the evidence shows otherwise. Burnley, like City, have a history of success and, again like City, first appeared in the European Cup in the 1960s.

1920-21 seems – it is – an awful long time ago but it’s a crucial season in the development of both Burnley and City. It is one of those seasons that we really should remember for a variety of reasons, not least because it speeded up City’s desire to move stadium because of the huge crowds that wanted to see the Blues play.

Here for subscribers is a 1600 word piece on an extraordinary time in 1920-21:

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