The 1960s: 1967-1968 Leeds v Manchester City

On this day (23 March) in 1968 came a game between two title challenging teams – Leeds Utd and Manchester City. The view was that this game could knock City out of the title race if it went Leeds’ way. So what happened? Here’s film of the game:

You can find out more aboutthe potential impact of this game by reading this subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1967-68 season. If you’d like to read this 7,600 word article (yes, 7,600 words on one season!), 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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The 1950s: Film of Law’s Debut

Here’s film of Denis Law making his debut on this day (19 March) in 1960 at Elland Road against Leeds. He was, of course, making his first appearance for Manchester City following his transfer from Huddersfield Town. Notice the photographers lining up to catch him. This was an uncommon sight at football back then and demonstrates how significant Law’s transfer was at the time.

You can read more about Law elsewhere on this site. There’s also a series of articles already posted on the 1950s and 1960s for Manchester City. Why not start with the following subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1959-60 season? If you’d like to read this 1200 word article, plus all other articles on the site, then please subscribe (see below).

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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) or sign up for a year at the discounted price of £20 per year (works out £1.67 per month). Subscribers access the 1000+ articles posted so far and the others scheduled during the life of your subscription.

The 1950s: The 1958-59 Season

The new series on Manchester City in the 1950s continues today with this 1,500 word article on the 1958-59 season. Enjoy!

This is a subscriber article and you can read it by subscribing below.

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The 1960s: Summerbee Treble

On this day (31 January) in 1968 Manchester City defeated Reading 7-0 in a FA Cup replay. As the players left the field the Elm Park tannoy announcer claimed:  ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, you have just seen one of the greatest teams England has produced in a long time.’

Goalscorers were Mike Summerbee (3), Colin Bell, Tony Coleman, George Heslop and Neil Young. This photo is of the Bell, Lee & Summerbee statue at the Etihad today.

Dozens of letters arrived at Maine Road commenting on City’s performance.  Many Reading fans wrote in saying they could have watched the Blues all night.  Other letters arrived commenting on how well behaved the City supporters were, while fans themselves commented on the cheerfulness of the Reading police.  

These points may seem trivial today, but in 1968 football had already begun to enter its hooligan period.  Football supporters had started to be seen as trouble causers and incidents of violence, or of vandalism, soon found their way into national newspapers.  Although City supporters were never totally blameless, during the late 1960s Blues fans continued to gain commendations rather than condemnation.

You can read more on this remarkable, trophy winning season below. If you’d like to read this 7,600 word article (yes, 7,600 words on one season!), 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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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) or sign up for a year at the discounted price of £20 per year (works out £1.67 per month). Subscribers access the 1000+ articles posted so far and the others scheduled during the life of your subscription.

The 1960s: 1967-1968 Congratulations

Continuing the series of features on the 1960s, here’s a subscriber article on Manchester City during the 1967-68 season. A trophy winning season. If you’d like to read this 7,600 word article (yes, 7,600 words on one season!), 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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Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) or sign up for a year at the discounted price of £20 per year (works out £1.67 per month). Subscribers access the 1000+ articles posted so far and the others scheduled during the life of your subscription.

Leeds Utd 1 Manchester City 3

At Elland Road Manchester City defeated Leeds 3-1 on this day (28 December) in 2022. Erling Haaland scored twice to establish a new record – the fastest man to twenty goals in the Premier League. Rodri score the other City goal and you can watch highlights here:

https://www.mancity.com/citytv/mens/leeds-united-manchester-city-extended-highlights-63807863

White-Rocastle Swap

On this day (22 December) in 1993 David White left Manchester City after years of dedication to the Blue cause. He was transferred to Leeds United in a swap deal for David Rocastle. It was a sad loss for the Blues but it was also a new beginning for Rocastle.

You can read more on the 1993-94 season here:

There are lots of articles on this site that mention David White. Take a look at:

https://gjfootballarchive.com/tag/david-white/

The 1970s: An Angry Colin Bell!

Colin Bell getting angry in a game? No, never! Err, yes actually. The unassuming, introverted Colin Bell had had enough on this day (30 January) in 1971 and you can see exactly why and his reaction in this video clip.

It’s actually a City defeat at home to Leeds but it is worth watching for Bell’s reaction – a nice reminder that all players have moments when they get angry with the ref. In the clip you’ll notice that it’s Francis Lee who acts as the calming influence with Bell – you’d expect it to be the other way around!

Also, look out for the old Invacar disabled cars parked pitchside in the corner between Kippax and Platt Lane. Just before Leeds score their second you can see that one of the guys in an Invacar has his windscreen wiper on – looking at the conditions it must have been difficult to see at times from inside those vehicles. Prior to this clip ITV presenter Brian Moore had told viewers that this was third placed City v leaders Leeds and that there was no game of more significance in the League that week.

This is part of my series of features/articles covering Manchester City in the 1970s. Watch the highlights of this game here:

Were you at the game and do you remember it? Feel free to give your story in the comments.

This series of articles and features on Manchester City in the 1970s will run throughout January with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others. There will be flashbacks to great games, players and more. Every day in January will offer something to enjoy.

Subscribers will get access to everything. If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? You could even subscribe for a month and see what you think. The following 5,200 word article is on the 1970-71 season and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!

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The 1970s: A Rare Donachie Goal

Willie Donachie scored two first team goals for Manchester City and his first was captured on film on this day (27 January) in 1973. It was the only goal of City’s Maine Road victory over Birmingham. You can watch it here:

To date I’ve not managed to track down film of his second goal, which was scored in the 2-2 draw with Leeds on 1 March 1975. If you know of any film of that goal please let me know.

This series of articles and features on Manchester City in the 1970s has been running throughout January with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others. Every day in January will offer something to enjoy.

Subscribers will get access to everything. If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? You could even subscribe for a month and see what you think. The following 1,700 word article is on the 1972-73 season and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!

Subscribe to get access – Monthly

Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) to access everything posted since 1 October 2022 or there’s a special annual rate below which gives greater access and works out much cheaper.

Subscribe to get access – Annual

Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (above) or £20 a year (here) to access everything posted since the site was created in December 2020. This special rate works out about £1.67 a week and gives access to everything posted, including PDFs of 3 of my books.

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The 1970s: A Typical Away Day At Leeds

If you’ve ever wondered what a typical match day was like in the 1970s then you should have a watch of this. This is Leeds v City in 1978 and is part of my series of features/articles covering Manchester City in the 1970s. Watch for the large away following (City fans behind the goal to the right but also positioned in various spots around Elland Road); Leeds’ players fighting themselves; a penalty appeal that would be given today; Colin Bell carrying an excited Peter Barnes; LUFC manager Jimmy Armfield smoking his pipe; a pitch invasion followed by the referee announcing the possibility of abandoning the game if it doesn’t stop – which of course is cheered by Leeds fans as an abandonment could work in their favour (it took a long time for football to realise this was never a good thing to say if you wanted trouble to stop!)… what an era! You’ll also notice that when Tueart is about to score a flash from a camera goes off in the away section. I wonder if that fan photo ever turned out?

So here goes with this on this day (7 January) from 1978.

This series of articles and features on Manchester City in the 1970s will run throughout January with indepth articles some days and smaller ‘on this day’ style posts on others. There will be flashbacks to great games, players and more. Every day in January will offer something to enjoy.

Subscribers will get access to everything. If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? You could even subscribe for a month and see what you think. The following 5,600 word article is on the successes of 1970 and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!

Subscribe to get access – Monthly

Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (cancel anytime) to access everything posted since 1 October 2022 or there’s a special annual rate below which gives greater access and works out much cheaper.

Subscribe to get access – Annual

Read more of this content when you subscribe today. It costs £3 per month (above) or £20 a year (here) to access everything posted since the site was created in December 2020. This special rate works out about £1.67 a week and gives access to everything posted, including PDFs of 3 of my books.

If you’d like to know more about subscribing then see: