A hugely controversial away game at QPR on this day (27 March) in 1976 brought unsavoury headlines. Manchester City lost 1-0 to an 81st minute goal to the League leaders but that wasn’t the real issue this day, it was the extremely negative way the London club played. This all led to a controversial incident following an Asa Hartford tackle. The Belfast Newsletter reported: ‘The already tattered disciplinary reputation of the League leaders took another knock in the game with Manchester City at Loftus Road… In the 75th minute City’s Asa Hartford went in to tackle with foot held high, and Wolverhampton referee Terry Bosi immediately whistled for a foul. He was talking to Hartford when Thomas, not concerned in the original incident, ran a dozen yards to attack the City player from behind and pull his hair. Hartford retaliated with a blow, and within seconds other players were involved.’
Hartford was sent off much to the dismay of City fans, staff and most neutral journalists. The Sunday Express reported: ‘Don Masson kicked Hartford and Dave Thomas aimed a punch… the Rangers pair were lucky to escape without even a booking.’
After the game the rival managers, Tony Book and Dave Sexton, publicly argued in front of journalists about the physical nature of QPR and Hartford’s sending off.
The suspension of Hartford and an injury to Dave Watson led to selection issues for the away game at Stoke the following Friday. In the end a magnificent performance from youngster Paul Power was rightly praised in a goalless draw seen as a positive result in the circumstances.
Five days later a third successive away game saw City lose 2-1 to Bobby Robson’s Ipswich Town. Ipswich opened the scoring four minutes before half time, with Ged Keegan equalising in the 47th minute. Eleven minutes later Ipswich scored their winner and their pressure from then on disrupted every opportunity City had to search for an equaliser.
One point from three games led to Tony Book taking a decision that would excite the Maine Road faithful: Colin Bell was to return for the following game.
You can read more on the 1975-76 season with this 5,320 word article – a season which saw Tony Book guide the club to major success. 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 5,320 word article is on the 1975-76 season and is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!
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Gary James' Football Archive 