Tag Archives: Maine Road

The 1990s: Fire in the North Stand

The series of features covering Manchester City in the 1990s continues today with this reminder of a day when fans had to be evacuated from Maine Road’s North Stand due to a fire. I remember the day well – I was sat at the opposite end – and it did seem a little worrying for a time. I remember seeing some smoke coming out of the stand. This cutting is from today (28 March) in 1997 and highlights the day of the fire (previous weekend).

The article claims the fire was started because a fan had pushed a cigarette into a cavity which set fire to materials behind the wall. I don’t think I ever knew this at the time (the rumour was that a chip fryer or burger stand had overheated in some way) but reading this all these years later is a little chilling. In 1985 the cause of the Bradford fire was believed to be a stray cigarette going through a whole and setting waste material under the stand on fire.

Unlike at Bradford the North Stand fire was soon extinguished and City’s game was delayed but played. Nevertheless, reading that brief report now does make you think of what could have happened.

This was not the first time a stand at Manchester City experienced a fire of course. Elsewhere on this site you can read about the Hyde Road fire.

While you’re here why not read a 4,900 word long article on the 1996-97 season? It’s available to subscribers, so why not subscribe and relive this season and an extraordinary decade? As with all these 1990s subscriber features it contains material from interviews I’ve performed with key figures from that time, including Phil Neal who talks about Steve Coppell’s shock resignation.

Here’s the 4900 word article on that season:

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This series of articles and features will run throughout March 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 March will offer something to enjoy.

Subscribers will get access to everything, while some on this day material will be free for all to view.

If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? If you’d like to know more about subscribing then see:

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The 1990s: The Derby at Maine Road AND Old Trafford

The series of articles covering Manchester City in the 1990s continues today with a reminder of the Manchester Derby played on this day (20 March) in 1993. The match ended in a 1-1 draw (City were leading 1-0 before Cantona equalised). Here’s City scorer Niall Quinn’s view of the game:

The game was the first derby at Maine Road in the Premier League that had been established that season and United would go on to win the title, so this draw was viewed as a significant result for City at the time. The attendance was 37,136 which was an absolute sellout. The new Umbro Stand (Platt Lane) had opened that month.

There were issues about ticket touts and capacity, leading to MUFC showing the match at Old Trafford too. 10,000 were reported to have watch the game there. Here are some cuttings about that.

Here’s a 3,200 word article on that full season from a Manchester City perspective:

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This series of articles and features will run throughout March 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 March will offer something to enjoy.

Subscribers will get access to everything, while some on this day material will be free for all to view.

If you want to know more on this incredible decade for Manchester City Football Club then why not subscribe and read it all? If you’d like to know more about subscribing then see:

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The 1990s: Spurs, The Umbro Stand, Swales Out and That Pitch Invasion!

Today’s 1990s flashback is from this month in 1993. It’s actually the 7 March 1993 when Manchester City faced Tottenham in the FA Cup Quarter-Final at Maine Road. It was a day that saw the media express shock at the behaviour of City’s fans when they invaded the pitch during the tie with Spurs.  They condemned the supporters without understanding the background story.  To put the record straight it’s vital the day’s events are covered correctly.  Here for subscribers is the full story of that game, including quotes from Niall Quinn and Peter Swales (from my interviews with them in the years since that day…

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Luton v MCFC: Story So Far!

It’s Luton v Manchester City in the FA Cup tonight. The two sides have met on 7 previous occasions in the competition with City winning 4, drawing 1 and 2 ending in defeat. There was also the famous expunged game where Denis Law netted six. ‘Expunged’ – what a great word! For anyone wondering, it means wiped from the records. So none of those six count in either Law’s goals record or City’s, but it is a game that often gets remembered.

You can read about that one here:

FAC Draw a Reminder! Law’s Expunged Six

Other fixtures include…

Paul Cooper saving a penaly:

Saving a 56th Penalty: Paul Cooper

Both sides pay their respects following the death of a monarch (interesting to note that that weekend’s FA Cup games went ahead as scheduled. Over 65,000 watched City defeat Luton 2-1 at Maine Road).

Royal Reactions (part one)

Of course, Luton played their part in one of the most infamous end of season games in 1983. I won’t put a link here to that but do a search if you’re interested as there’s plenty on my website about that day!

The full record for Manchester City against Luton prior to tonight’s game is:

CompetitionPlayedWonDrawnLost
League37141211
FA Cup7412
League Cup6321
European0000
Other0000

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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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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