Football writing, thoughts and more by Gary James
The new series on the 1950s continues today with this 1,700 word article on the 1953-54 season. Enjoy!
This is a subscriber article and you can read it by subscribing below.
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month or you can subscriber for the discounted annual rate of £20 per year. Each subscriber gets access to everything posted so far, including PDFs of a couple of my books.
The new series on the 1950s continues today with this 2,000 word article on the 1952-53 season. Enjoy!
This is a subscriber article and you can read it by subscribing below.
Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month or you can subscriber for the discounted annual rate of £20 per year. Each subscriber gets access to everything posted so far, including PDFs of a couple of my books.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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DonateDenis Law had such a wonderful footballing career, with so many periods deserving focus. Inevitably – and rightly – many will focus on his exploits with Manchester United and Scotland. Following his death I’d like to add to the tributes out there by highlighting a couple of periods of his career that may be being overlooked. It’s totally understandable, but today I’d like to highlight his Manchester City career. A career that saw him become a City legend. Not many manage to become idolised at both City and United in equal measure (Meredith & Kidd are the other prominent two I can think of) but Law managed it.
He was signed by City in March 1960 from Huddersfield Town for a record figure of £55,000 – £10,000 more than the previous British transfer record. It was a bold move by Les McDowall but was clear proof that City were still a force to be reckoned with, particularly as they had managed to fight off the likes of Arsenal to sign the 20 year old.
Law was a lethal finisher, and a genuine crowd pleaser. His first goal for the Blues came during his debut match at Leeds United on 19th March 1960, although City were defeated by the odd goal in seven. His second League game brought another goal as West Ham were defeated 3-1 at Maine Road on 30th March. He ended the season with 7 appearances.
The following season he was top scorer with 19 League goals – 1 more than Joe Hayes – and again made the headlines with an amazing goalscoring feat in an abandoned cup tie. On 28th January City were defeating Luton 6-2 with Law scoring all City’s goals, when the match was abandoned. In the replay, Law again scored but this time City were defeated 3-1 in conditions which Law himself believed were worse than the original game.
In addition to his performances for City, Law was making a name for himself with his country. He made 5 international appearances during his first two seasons at Maine Road, and was an obvious choice for his beloved Scotland.
All the media interest which understandably focused on Law helped to make him known throughout the footballing world and, with City still struggling to find consistency during the early sixties, it was perhaps inevitable that he would move on. In the end he was transferred to Italian side Torino for another record. This time he became Britain’s first £100,000 footballer when the Italians paid City £110,000 for his signature in July 1961.
After a little over a year in Italy, Law returned to Manchester. This time to help United. In his first season there he helped the Reds avoid relegation, but regrettably City suffered as a consequence. While at Old Trafford, Law found the success that had not seemed possible at Maine Road.
In July 1973 after becoming a legend with the Reds – please go and read everything you can about his career at Old Trafford – he was given a free transfer. City manager Johnny Hart quickly made arrangements to sign the player, and on his second City debut he again scored (twice) as Birmingham were defeated 3-1. Of the City side he joined in 1973 only Alan Oakes remained from his final City game in 1961, and the Blues were in an entirely different position.
The late sixties and early seventies had seen City achieve phenomenal success and eclipse Law’s United side, and so rather than join a poor, struggling side, law was now with a team of entertainers capable of tremendous success. He had also joined a team renowned for its unpredictability!
Johnny Hart was replaced by disciplinarian Ron Saunders as manager, and the entire mood of the club changed. Saunders seemed to be at odds with many of the club’s more senior professionals and his handling of the stars was often attacked. For a while there were rumours of player power, especially when City started plummeting down the table. Inevitably, Saunders was sacked and his replacement, Tony Book, managed to change the approach. On the final day of the season, it was as a member of Book’s side that Law scored his final – and most memorable – League goal.
It was scored with his last kick in League football, and he often said it was the worst he had ever felt after scoring a goal. It wasn’t his last competitive goal in football or even for City – people often incorrectly claim it was but he played on into the 1974-75 season, scoring for City in a competitive game at the start of that season.
City fans usually remember Denis Law more for that particular goal than for any other moment in his City career. That goal was widely held responsible at the time of ‘sending Manchester United into the Second Division’. In actual fact, the goal was irrelevant as United would have gone down in any case, but it has become a landmark goal and inevitably keeps the name of Law in the minds of Blues fans everywhere. Law’s City career deserves to be remembered for much more.
Less than two months earlier he made his final appearance at Wembley as a member of City’s League Cup final team. That game ended in a 2-1 defeat, but then it did take place during Ron Saunders’ period as manager. Had the atmosphere of the club changed prior to Wembley then it’s possible Law’s illustrious career would have ended with a League Cup winners’ medal.
Denis Law only managed three seasons with City in total, but in each of those seasons he did enough to make the headlines and become a member of City’s hall of fame. During the mid 1970s The King’s Head pub at Crown Point, Denton became a shrine to football and its sign depicted “The King” Denis Law. Although the nickname was awarded to him at Old Trafford, the pub sign depicted him in a City shirt – the team that first brought him to Manchester. It should never be forgotten that Law is a hero to both Blues and Reds.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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DonateSorry 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.
Now that Pep Guardiola has managed his 500th Manchester City game (yes, I know he’s been ill and missed games but he’s still the manager when they occurred) here’s a brief look at the only manager ahead of his record at the club, Les McDowall (note: Les missed some games on scouting missions, so similar to Pep’s missed games?). Enjoy!
Les McDowall
June 1950 – May 1963
Previously: Impressive wing-half for City during 40s.
Took Over From: Jock Thomson, who left in February 1950 as City headed towards relegation, but it is believed Wilf Wild with Fred Tilson filled the void between managers.
Inherited: Bert Trautmann, Roy Clarke, Joe Fagan & Johnny Hart.
Players Brought In Included: City’s talented forward Don Revie & inspirational captain Roy Paul. Also Alex Harley & Peter Dobing.
Best Buy: For his role in the Revie Plan and long term commitment to the City cause – Ken Barnes.
Youngsters He Gave Debuts To: Joe Hayes, Dave Wagstaffe, John Benson, Neil Young, Alan Oakes & Glyn Pardoe.
First Game: Preston North End 2 City 4 (City scorers George Smith 2, Roy Clarke and Dennis Westcott), 19 August 1950, attendance 36,294.
High Points: Winning promotion during his first season; FA Cup finalists in 1955 & FA Cup winners in 1956 (and finishing fourth that season).
Coaches: Thirties stars Fred Tilson & Laurie Barnett.
Tactics: Became noted for tactical innovations such as the Revie Plan (although people assume this to be Revie’s idea the name came from the fact he was the key player; it had previously operated in the Reserves with Johnny Williamson in the role). The Plan revolutionised City’s play and led to the mid-fifties success.
Last Game: West Ham United 6 City 1 (City scorer Alan Oakes), 18 May 1963, attendance 16,602.
Season By Season Record:
League
1950-51 P 42 W 19 D 14 L 9 GF 89 GA 61 Pts 52
1951-52 P 42 W 13 D 13 L 16 GF 58 GA 61 Pts 39
1952-53 P 42 W 14 D 7 L 21 GF 72 GA 87 Pts 35
1953-54 P 42 W 14 D 9 L 19 GF 62 GA 77 Pts 37
1954-55 P 42 W 18 D 10 L 14 GF 76 GA 69 Pts 46
1955-56 P 42 W 18 D 10 L 14 GF 82 GA 69 Pts 46
1956-57 P 42 W 13 D 9 L 20 GF 78 GA 88 Pts 35
1957-58 P 42 W 22 D 5 L 15 GF 104 GA 100 Pts 49
1958-59 P 42 W 11 D 9 L 22 GF 64 GA 95 Pts 31
1959-60 P 42 W 17 D 3 L 22 GF 78 GA 84 Pts 37
1960-61 P 42 W 13 D 11 L 18 GF 79 GA 90 Pts 37
1961-62 P 42 W 17 D 7 L 18 GF 78 GA 81 Pts 41
1962-63 P 42 W 10 D 11 L 21 GF 58 GA 102 Pts 31
2 points for a win
FA Cup
1950-51 P 1 W 0 D 0 L 1 GF 0 GA 2 Reached 3rd round
1951-52 P 2 W 0 D 1 L 1 GF 3 GA 6 Reached 3rd round
1952-53 P 3 W 1 D 1 L 1 GF 9 GA 6 Reached 4th round
1953-54 P 2 W 1 D 0 L 1 GF 5 GA 3 Reached 4th round
1954-55 P 6 W 5 D 0 L 1 GF 10 GA 4 Reached final
1955-56 P 7 W 6 D 1 L 0 GF 11 GA 4 FA Cup winners
1956-57 P 2 W 0 D 1 L 1 GF 5 GA 6 Reached 3rd round
1957-58 P 1 W 0 D 0 L 1 GF 1 GA 5 Reached 3rd round
1958-59 P 2 W 0 D 1 L 1 GF 3 GA 4 Reached 3rd round
1959-60 P 1 W 0 D 0 L 1 GF 1 GA 5 Reached 3rd round
1960-61 P 4 W 1 D 2 L 1 GF 4 GA 4 Reached 4th round
1961-62 P 2 W 1 D 0 L 1 GF 1 GA 2 Reached 4th round
1962-63 P 3 W 2 D 0 L 1 GF 3 GA 2 Reached 5th round
League Cup
1960-61 P 2 W 1 D 0 L 1 GF 3 GA 2 Reached 3rd round
1961-62 P 1 W 0 D 0 L 1 GF 2 GA 4 Reached 2nd round
1962-63 P 6 W 3 D 2 L 1 GF 10 GA 12 Reached 5th round
TOTAL (League & cup fixtures)
P591 W220 D127 L244 GF 1049 GA 1135
Trophies Won: FA Cup (1956)
Other Competitive Fixtures: 1 Charity Shield game
They Said: “Les McDowall was very much an old school manager – shirt & tie, office type. You rarely saw him but when you did it was usually when he was unveiling one of his new tactical plans. We had one where we played with 5 at the back and I had a number 7 shirt on. He would probably have excelled in today’s game because he was absolutely driven with tactical formations.” Defender Bobby Kennedy talking in 2005.
Followed By: George Poyser
After City: Became Oldham Athletic manager shortly after leaving City. Died in August 1991 at the age of 78.
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.
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On 14 October in 1953 the first game under floodlights at Maine Road took place, Manchester City 6 Hearts 3. Here’s an article about that period and City’s first floodlighting system, including a photo from the actual game and another report.
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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.
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Gary James' Football Archive 