Tag Archives: Sheffield United

A Rearranged Reserve Game

Fifty years ago today (23 February 1976) Manchester City manager Tony Book had hoped to give Colin Bell a run out in a rearranged Reserve game but sadly Book’s hopes were dashed when the player pulled up in a training session. The City boss commented: ‘He is still feeling the effects of a calf strain and there was no point in gambling him for this afternoon’s match.’

The news was released several hours before the Central League meeting with Sheffield United when a bumper afternoon crowd was expected to see their hero. In the end his absence kept the attendance down to 2,017 – not bad for a Monday afternoon – for this 2-2 draw but it was still more than double the previous reserve game.

Once the reserve game was out of the way, City focused on Wembley. Colin Bell did travel as part of a 17-man squad to a health farm as part of the League Cup final preparations, but it was clear he was unlikely to play. Book told the Manchester Evening News: ‘We will take the situation from day to day, but frankly I can’t see him making it by Saturday. I am disappointed not only for myself and the team, but for Colin himself.’

Despite the news about Bell, City’s second League Cup final in three seasons was eagerly anticipated. The opponents would be Newcastle on 28 February.

While you’re here why not subscribe and read a 5,320 word article on the entire 1975-76 season – a season which saw Tony Book guide the club to major success. You can read this below.

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The 1970s: Could Colin Return For Wembley?

Fifty years ago today there was lots of discussion around Manchester of the prospect of Colin Bell returning to action for the League Cup final, planned for Saturday 28 February 1976. Much of the talk throughout February had been on who manager Tony Book would pick for the final with Newcastle. Injuries and suspensions had impacted City significantly throughout the season and reaching the final had been seen as the major achievement it was. Alongside this the Blues had maintained a challenge for the title, though there had been mixed results so far during January and February. A disappointing 2-1 defeat at Birmingham on 14 February had left City seventh, eight points behind leaders Liverpool. 

During the week that followed the Birmingham game Book decided to move a Reserve match in the Central League to Monday 23 February, five days before the League Cup final. He explained: ‘I had been hoping that my ideas on the [Cup Final] line-up would have taken firmer shape by now, but the recurring problem of getting our key midfield player Colin Bell fully fit for his first [first team] match action since early November and a doubt about the best defensive formation at my disposal, has left the situation uncertain until the last minute.’

The move of the Reserve game with Sheffield United meant that, in Book’s eyes, there were now two games to have a proper assessment of who would be in his Wembley team – a League match with Everton on 21 February and the reserve game two days later. The hope that Bell could return was greeted extremely positively by fans desperate to see their hero. He had started a Reserve game on 17 January but, in the days that followed, he had suffered a reaction. 

As City approached their League game with Everton Book admitted: ‘I will decide the team on Wednesday or Thursday of next week and part of those plans will be structured around the situation with Colin. I made it clear recently that I considered it important for our inside forward to get a couple of games under his belt to rate consideration, but whatever this weekend’s events I shall not dismiss his chances of returning until a final talk with Colin and the medical staff in midweek.’

As City fans looked forward to their League game with Everton some were already talking about attending the Reserve game with Sheffield United simply in the hope of seeing their hero.  Fifty years on, it’s difficult to stress how significant the prospect of Colin Bell returning to action was viewed. It seemed unlikely he’d play at Wembley, but everyone hoped he would pass Book’s final tests and make it. Sadly, things didn’t work out, but this week back in 1976 there was still hope.

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If you’d like to know more about this period in Manchester City’s history why not read the following 5,320 word article on the entire 1975-76 season – a season which saw Tony Book guide the club to major success. 

This article is available to subscribers below. Enjoy!

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The 1950s: Stanley Matthews’ 250th Blackpool League Game (A MCFC Victory)

Seventy years ago today (4 February 1956) Stanley Matthews made his 250th league appearance for Blackpool on a snow covered Bloomfield Road ground. In treacherous conditions Manchester City defeated the home team 1-0 with a goal from Roy Faulkner. Interestingly Faulkner only ever made 7 first team appearances for City but scored 4 goals. This match report highlights Faulkner’s contribution. Notice also the mention of Joe Mercer’s early managerial career (Sheffield United match report).

You can read more on Manchester City in the 1950s with this 3,900 word article on the 1955-56 season when City won the FA Cup final (nowadays known as the Trautmann Final) and Bert Trautmann was FWA Footballer of the Year (presented in the days before the final). Enjoy!

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The 1910s: 1913-1914 Regaining Control

The new series of features on Manchester City in the 1910s continues today with an article on the 1913-14 season. If you’re a subscriber you can read all about this season below. If you’re not a subscriber then why not sign up for a month and see what you think?

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Frank Swift XI For Mercer’s Sheffield United

Here’s an interesting piece of floodlit football history from 70 years ago. On 24 October 1955 Joe Mercer’s Sheffield United played a team of former internationals selected by Frank Swift, the ex-Manchester City ‘keeper. Mercer was selected by Swift to play for the old internationals against the team he was manager of.

The game ended in a 4-1 victory to Sheffield United, though the Swift XI goal owed much to Mercer and was scored by ex-Manchester City star Peter Doherty.

Here’s a report of the game:

The 1920s: Wembley

The new series on Manchester City in the 1920s continues today with a 4,900 word subscriber article on the 1925-26 season. If you subscribe (see below) I hope you enjoy it. If you are not currently a subscriber then why not try it for a month (£3 per month or sign up for a year at a discounted £20 per year)?

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The 1920s: The English Hampden

The new series on Manchester City in the 1920s continues today with a 3,000 word subscriber article on the 1923-24 season. If you subscribe (see below) I hope you enjoy it. If you are not currently a subscriber then why not try it for a month (£3 per month or sign up for a year at a discounted £20 per year)?

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As well as subscriber pieces this series on the 1920s includes some free articles. Watch out for a daily post.

The 1930s: 1938-1939 A Worrying Time

My series on Manchester City in the 1930s continues today with a subscriber article on the 1938-39 season. If you subscribe (see below) I hope you enjoy it. If you don’t subscribe then why not try it for a month (£3 per month or sign up for a year at a discounted £20 per year)?

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The 1940s: Manchester City 2 Sheff Utd 1

A week after winning 3-2 at Football League North league leaders Sheffield United, Manchester’s Blues do it again on this day (27 April) in 1946. This time they beat the Blades 2-1 before 19,241 at Maine Road (although this report from the MEN suggested there were only about 15,000 there when the game started). The City scorers were Maurice Dunkley and George Smith. The image shows a Manchester Evening News report published that evening.

Although this game was played in peacetime the regional war leagues were still being played, with the Football League returning the following season.

There was FA Cup action though and you can read about that in the following feature on the 1945-46 season.

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The 1940s: Sheff Utd 2 Manchester City 3

On this day (20 April) in 1946 Manchester City defeated the Football League North league leaders Sheffield United 3-2 at Bramall Lane. The City scorers were Lew Woodroffe, Jimmy Constantine and George Smith. The image shows the results from that day.

A crowd recorded as 40,000 watched this match. Although this game was played in peacetime the regional war leagues were still being played, with the Football League returning the following season.

There was FA Cup action though and you can read about that in the following feature on the 1945-46 season.

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

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