Tag Archives: Maine Road

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: In the Event of a Replay…

Today (29 January) in 1977 Manchester City faced Newcastle United in the FA Cup 4th round at St James’ Park and the local newspaper in Newcastle published this information for fans about how to get tickets for a potential replay. Back then replays would be played midweek of the following week, often on Tuesdays in case further replays were required.

As you can see from this cutting a replay was scheduled for the following Tuesday (if needed) at 7.30pm. The cheapest tickets available were 70p for Kippax terracing with seats at various prices.

In the end a replay wasn’t needed as City defeated Newcastle 3-1 with goals from Gary Owen, Joe Royle and an own goal from Craig.

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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!

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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.

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The 1970s: 1972-1973 Allison Leaves

The series of features/articles covering Manchester City in the 1970s continues with a 1,700 word article on the entire 1972-73 season – a season of major change which saw one man who didn’t want to be manager told to take the manager’s job or you’ll be leaving yourself! Oh City! You can read this below. 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!

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The 1970s: Law and Marsh

Here are highlights of the goals from fifty years ago today (12 January 1974) when Denis Law and Rodney Marsh both scored in Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over Leicester City at a muddy Maine Road. I’m sure that second goal would go through one of those panels these days to try and work out who actually scored it though I think both Law and Marsh knew it was Marsh’s. Watch out for Colin Bell too.

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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The 1970s: Newcastle Away At Home?

The series of features/articles covering Manchester City in the 1970s continues with an on this day (4 January) from 1975 when Manchester City played an away game at Maine Road. What? Follow the link for the story:

https://gjfootballarchive.com/2023/01/04/when-is-a-home-game-not-a-home-game-newcastle-united-v-manchester-city-4th-january-1975/

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!

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The 1980s: White Double

Continuing this series of features covering the 1980s for Manchester City… Today it’s back to this day (30 December) in 1989 and Manchester City v Millwall. That day David White scored twice as the Blues won 2-0 at Maine Road in the top flight. Today that first goal would probably get debated at length when VAR eventually brings a decision but back then we just celebrated and enjoyed the moment.

You can watch the goals from this game below. It’s great to see the second goal involves Paul Lake and White seemed determined it would go in no matter what. Enjoy!

If you want to know more about the entire 1989-90 season then become a subscriber and read the following 8,000 word article on that season. Enjoy!

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Today’s feature was one of many on the 1980s. I hope you’ve enjoyed them. If you missed the earlier features then start here:

The 1980s: 1980-1981 Gow, Hutchison & McDonald

The 1980s: Season’s Greetings

Continuing the series focusing on Manchester City in the 1980s here’s a nice Christmassy themed programme cover from today (18 December) in 1982. If you’re wondering City’s sponsor was SAAB and this was the first season of shirt sponsorship at Maine Road.

The day’s opponents were Brighton and the game ended 1-1 (Kevin Bond scoring for the Blues). Bond is the player on the far left of this photo. Notice Joe Corrigan (far right)… I get the impression he’s muttering ‘what is the game coming to? Cars on the pitch… there’ll be referees sat in a room miles away awarding a penalty after a perfectly good save is judged to be a foul, by someone sat watching a telly next!’

If you want to know more about this period then why not subscribe? As well as all the other benefits you could read the following 3,500 word feature on the 1982-83 season. Enjoy (well, if you know the outcome of this season you can enjoy this memory refresh while reflecting on the modern day successes of the Blues!).

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Tomorrow’s feature is on the 1983-84 season. If you missed the earlier features then start here:

The 1980s: 1980-1981 Gow, Hutchison & McDonald

Don’t Leave Early: The Goal Standard

On 18 October 1978 in the UEFA Cup 2nd round first leg Manchester City defeated Standard Liege 4-0. Three of those goals (one a penalty) came in the last 5 minutes, demonstrating that no one should ever leave early (unless there are significant reasons of course). No game is over until the final whistle and this game against Liege is one that should always be remembered. The reason I say this… My dad made us leave early as it was a school night (I’d celebrated my 10th birthday a week or so earlier). We left when it was 1-0 with about 6 minutes to go.

I remember us walking down the Platt Lane tunnel and getting to the exit gates and hearing the roar – an obvious goal! Then as we walked down the pink passage behind the Platt Lane there was another roar. A third roar was heard a little later and then a fourth just as we neared our car and that was that! We only knew the actual score when we got home because, back then, there was no radio in dad’s car. Throughout that journey back to Hyde me, my brother and my dad tried to guess what the final score would be. We knew we’d heard four roars and assumed we’d missed four goals but the first roar would’ve been for the penalty award and the second for the penalty itself.

Missing three goals at the age of ten is not great. Hmm!

Anyway, for those, like me, who missed it here are the match facts and a video of those goals:

Attendance: 27,487

City Goalscorers: Hartford, Kidd 2 (1 pen), Palmer

City: Corrigan; Clements, Donachie, Booth, Watson, Viljoen (Keegan), Palmer, Bell, Kidd, Hartford, Barnes

Asa Hartford scored in the 13th minute but, despite several attempts that was all that separated the clubs up to the 85th minute.  A frantic late rally by the Blues saw three goals in four minutes to create a decisive and emphatic victory.  All those who had left the stadium early (to get to their cars and buses) realised that no game is over until the final whistle. 

The transformation was heralded as a high point in the career of Peter Barnes.  Barnes demonstrated his skills superbly as he made Liege suffer with attack after attack.  Peter Gardner:  “Twisting, turning, tormenting and teasing the harassed Belgians, Barnes paved the way for that final three-goal fling with Kidd grabbing tow and Palmer the last.  It was Barnes at his brilliant best although Hartford and Watson were also heroes on a night when City proved that patience always pays.”

My biography of Peter Barnes talks about this game of course and you can buy copies here:

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COMPETITION WINNER: From Maine Road To The Etihad 100 Years Book

The winner of a copy of the new book on Maine Road and the Etihad has been drawn. It is Steve Doohan. Congratulations Steve. The publisher, Reach, will be posting it out soon.

The question was: Who was the architect of Maine Road when it was first built in 1923?

The answer was Charles Swain. We had dozens of correct answers so we’ll done to Steve.

As for the book…

I’m delighted to say I’m one of the co-authors on the new book which focuses on Maine Road and the Etihad stadia (the two most recent permanent homes of Manchester City).

I’ve contributed the Introduction, the story of Maine Road’s first game and the 100 Maine Memories of Maine Road. I tried to make sure the 100 Maine Memories cover both the great and the unusual so, inevitably, Colin Bell is featured but so is the wonky North Stand scoreboard! If you attended Maine Road it will all make sense and if you didn’t it’ll give you a great feel for what life was like at the old place.

Please enter the competition and good luck with it.

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