Tag Archives: Kippax

Maine Road Now and Then

It’s worth comparing this image from recent years, showing the housing and school now built on Maine Road, with this 1940s image of the Maine Road site. The boundary lines are visible, demonstrating how the site changed usage.

This 1971 aerial image shows the stadium from another angle, looking west.

Maine Road aerial 1971 from Farewell To Maine Road

If you’d like to read more on the history of Maine Road, take a look at Farewell To Maine Road, which can be downloaded from this page:

Farewell To Maine Road – Part One

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First Seats on the Kippax?

On this day (29 May) in 1961 thousands were able to sit on benches installed on the Kippax for the first ever time. But wait a minute, the Kippax wasn’t seated until 1994-95 or was it? So read on to find out what happened in 1961…

Maine Road staged one of the religious events where American evangelist Billy Graham came to preach to thousands in 1961. I cover the story in detail in Farewell To Maine Road but these images show that temporary seating was installed on the Kippax for the event, which took place between 29 May and 17 June 1961.

At this time there were no gates in the Kippax’ perimeter wall leading to the pitch and so special scaffolding steps were erected to allow attendees to climb over the wall and on to the pitch for blessings etc.

Were you at one of these religious events? If so leave your comments about the day below.

For those unfamiliar with Maine Road’s layout at the time, the above photo was taken from about a third of the way up the Kippax between number 6 and 8 on this photo.

Maine Road aerial 1971 from Farewell To Maine Road

If you’d like to read more on the history of Maine Road, take a look at Farewell To Maine Road, which can be downloaded from this page:

Farewell To Maine Road – Part One

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The City FC Flag

Anyone remember seeing the CITY F.C. flag that used to proudly fly above the Popular Side/Kippax. It was there for decades. There had been a CITY F.C. flag at Hyde Road and it may well be that this was the same flag. It was often referred to in the media during its life at Maine Road, such as in this 1925 cartoon:

The first derby at Maine Road
The City flag flying at Maine Road’s first Manchester derby

The flag flew proudly over the Popular Side until the stand was roofed in 1957. Then the flag was moved to the Scoreboard End, eventually disappearing in the 1960s when rumour has it that it was taken down by Liverpool fans. I’m not certain if that’s true and I’ve never found any evidence but if you do know more please let me know.

I do know that in the 1930s a disgruntled City fan lowered it during a difficult game and it caused outrage. It was mentioned in the local press and the culprit had to make a formal apology to the club and his fellow City fans.

This 1971 image shows the roofed Kippax Stand. The flag was originally on a flag pole roughly where the number 7 is in the days before the stand had a roof. When the Kippax was roofed it was moved to the back of the Scoreboard End. The North Stand (10) replaced the Scoreboard End in the early 1970s.

Maine Road aerial 1971 from Farewell To Maine Road

If you’d like to read more on the history of Maine Road, take a look at Farewell To Maine Road, which can be downloaded from this page:

Farewell To Maine Road – Part One

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Maine Road’s 1994 Redevelopment Plan

Here’s a 1994 plan of what might have been in terms of Maine Road’s development. This image is of how the entire stadium was supposed to look. To explain the colour image looks towards the stadium from above the Kippax car park. The North Stand is on the right and the Platt Lane on the left. The black and white image is from the other side of the ground, looking towards the Kippax from the Main Stand.

1990s Maine Rd redevelopment plans as seen in Farewell To Maine Road

You can see from the black and white image that the plan was to replicate the general look of the new Kippax (being planned at this stage – this was January 1994 and the old Kippax was still standing) around the ground. The North Stand was to have a second tier added and hospitality boxes between the levels, like the new Kippax. The Platt Lane was to have a second tier added above the two lines of existing hospitality boxes.

The Main Stand would have part of the seating chopped away and a new second tier added.

To facilitate all of this some houses were to be bought and demolished on the streets immediately behind the North Stand and the Kippax/Platt Lane corner.

The new Kippax was the first phase of the development but Manchester’s bids for the Olympics changed thinking. Couple that with relegation in 1996 and the wholesale redevelopment of Maine Road was postponed after the Kippax opened and then dropped completely.

As mentioned previously, Francis Lee’s plans would have seen the new Kippax followed by a phased development of each of the other three stands. These images might give an indication of how it would have progressed.

The following 1971 aerial image shows the proximity of the housing on Thornton Road (bottom left, near number 6) and behind the North Stand (number 10). They were planned to be demolished in Lee’s 1994 plan.

Maine Road aerial 1971 from Farewell To Maine Road

If you’d like to read more on the history of Maine Road, take a look at Farewell To Maine Road, which can be downloaded from this page:

Farewell To Maine Road – Part One

If you enjoy all the free material on my website and would like to support my research and keep this website going (but don’t want to subscribe) then why not make a one-time donation (or buy me a coffee). All support for my research is valued and welcome. It allows me to keep some free material available for all. Thanks.

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Sunderland’s Last

The 1990-1 season was Sunderland’s first in the top flight since 1985, although it was far from successful.  By the last match, on this day (11 May) in 1991, of the season the Wearsiders needed a win to avoid relegation, while Manchester City were enjoying their best League season since they finished 4th in 1978.

A large away following of around 9,000 filled the Kippax corner terracing and the Platt Lane Stand.  In fact this was the last great crowd housed in the old Platt Lane Stand which was demolished a year later, after being designated for away fans only since the mid-80s.  The result brought the Wearsiders nothing but disappointment as the Blues won 3-2 thanks to goals from future Sunderland star Niall Quinn (2) and David White.

Little did Quinn and City manager Peter Reid realise that within a few seasons they would be helping to resurrect the fortunes of Sunderland and its passionate supporters.  Despite the result in 1991, Reid and Quinn must have been impressed by the positive support given by the Wearsiders.

City ended the season in fifth place behind Arsenal, Liverpool, Crystal Palace, and Leeds, while Quinn was voted City player of the year.

Stats:  League Division One.  11th May 1991.

City 3 Sunderland 2

Scorers – City: Quinn 2 White

Sunderland: Gabbiadini, Bennett.

City:  Margetson, Hill, Pointon, Heath, Hendry, Redmond, White, Brennan, Quinn, Harper, Clarke (Beckford).

Sunderland: Norman, Owers, Hardyman (Brady), Bennett, Ord, Pascoe, Bracewell, Hawke (Hauser), Davenport, Gabbiadini, Kay.

Attendance: 39,194 (the highest Maine Road crowd since 23/9/1989)

While you’re here why not subscribe and read a series of articles covering Manchester City in the 1990s (and other decades too)? Here’s an article on the 1990-91 season when a shock managerial departure could have disrupted the club but ultimately they finished 5th, 3 points ahead of Manchester United: (it’s a 2,700 word article available to subscribers):

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The 1950s: The 1957-58 Season

The new series on Manchester City in the 1950s continues today with this 2,200 word article on the 1957-58 season. Enjoy!

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The New Kippax

On this day (25 November) in 1995 Manchester City’s legendary goalkeeper Bert Trautmann officially opened the new Kippax Stand at Maine Road. You can see the new stand at the top of this photo, with the Manchester City lettering on it. If you’re interested, you can now read more on City’s 1995-96 season below. This was a hugely significant season and this article is almost 5,500 words long.

Yes, I know but we can look back and remember from a position of relative comfortability now!

1994-95 the new Kippax takes shape

It’s available to subscribers, so why not subscribe and relive this extraordinary season? As with many of these subscriber features it contains material from interviews I’ve performed with key figures from that time.

Here’s the 5500 word article on that season:

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The Kippax Today in 1982

Southampton were the visitors to Maine Road on this day (6 November) in 1982. The image heading this feature is of the Kippax Stand about an hour before kick-off that day. Back then fans would queue up outside the turnstiles waiting for them to open at 1pm for a 3pm kick off. Once allowed in Supporters would head for their usual space on the terracing and wait for kick off. 

Away fans would typically be positioned in the section to the right of this photo and, depending on the size of the travelling support, they would either have all that final section of the Kippax including the open corner next to it, or would be penned only into the back section of the stand. It may seem odd today but on days when the away fans would be positioned at the back, the front section and corner were usually opened up for home fans. As was the case for this game.

While the Kippax was one vast area of terracing, the more vocal fans would tend to gather close to the away section, above one of two large tunnels that cut through from the back of the stand to the terracing.

Notice the advertising and signage on the roof. As well as the Manchester City sign there are adverts for the Junior Blues and City Bingo, plus several familiar local businesses, including the popular Parkside Hotel, close to the ground.

City defeated Southampton 2-0 on the day this photo was taken with a tenth minute goal from Kevin Reeves – past England ‘keeper Peter Shilton – and a header from Bobby McDonald in the 66th minute. Shilton had saved a penalty in the 38th minute from Kevin Bond while City captain Paul Power was judged the man of the match in most newspapers. 

The victory put City second to Liverpool in the League and four days later City and Southampton met again at Maine Road. This time it was a League Cup tie which ended in a 1-1 draw, but the replay ended in a Southampton win.

You can read more on the 1982-83 season here:

The 1980s: 1982-1983 Selling Francis

As for the Kippax… The stand had once accommodated over 35,000 and its capacity when this photo was taken was about 26,500. At the time it was demolished in 1994 it was the largest capacity terraced stand in the country, marginally higher than Anfield’s Kop.

Here are highlights of that match for those who want to know more about the game:

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MCFC V Southampton

If you’re at the Manchester City game today and are lucky enough to read the match programme, my One Moment in Time feature includes a photo of the Kippax Stand taken about a hour before kick off of a City-Southampton match in November 1982. Here are highlights of that match for those who want to know more about the game:

You can read more on the 1982-83 season here:

The 1980s: 1982-1983 Selling Francis
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Manchester City v Southampton

It’s City v Southampton today. My match programme feature remembers the Kippax Stand with a photo from a day when the two clubs met. I hope those who get to see it enjoy it. Also, there are plenty of stories connected with both clubs on my website and here’s a selection:

City v Southampton on New York TV
The 1990s: 1996 Georgiou Kinkladze Goal V Southampton

Others mentioning Southampton here:

Welcome to Gary James’ Football Archive