Tag Archives: Sheffield United

This is Your Life Joe Mercer

Broadcast live on 25 March in 1970 was the This is Your Life TV episode with Manchester City boss Joe Mercer as the subject. Here are the details plus a special recording which supporters of all the clubs Joe was involved with could be interested in.

This Is Your Life was viewed at the time as significant recognition for a lifetime’s achievement. Only major stars and personalities were featured in those days, and the main idea would be that the subject of the programme would be surprised by the sudden appearance of presenter Eamonn Andrews and his ‘Big Red Book’. The subject would then be whisked away to a studio or other location where a variety of figures from the person’s life would be brought out to tell anecdotes and the like. The main part of the show would be broadcast live.

This is Your Life Joe Mercer 1970

Back in 1970 young Manchester City supporter John Stapleton was working on the series and he suggested they feature Joe Mercer as the topic of one show. John, who went on to be a prominent broadcaster with a well-regarded TV career, was interviewed by me a few years back and we discussed the programme and John’s part in the idea of featuring Joe: ‘I did it purely for the benefit of me and my dad.  Eamon Andrews, the presenter, had of course a great interest in sport and I put the idea to him and the rest of the production team.  Together with Norah, Joe’s wife who in recent years I often sat with at games sharing her boiled sweets, we concocted a situation where Joe and Malcolm were in a London hotel before a trip to watch a European game in 1970. Malcolm disappeared – deliberately as part of the show though Joe didn’t know this – and Joe was called to reception urgently.  Eamon leaped out to do the big “This Is Your Life” reveal and Joe had no idea whatsoever. It was a great day for us all and Joe was thoroughly deserving of it as well.’

Joe was staying at a Hilton Hotel in London. As John described, He had been due to fly with Malcolm Allison to the continent to watch ECWC semi-final opponents Schalke but he had received a message to say the game was off. It was all a ruse of course. That night television viewers watched as Eamonn Andrews surprised Joe at the hotel reception desk: ‘Joe Mercer, former England playing star, now manager of Cup winning Manchester City, tonight. This Is Your Life!’

Eamon Andrews This is Your Life Joe Mercer 1970

At the start of the show the City team appeared. This had been an extremely busy time for the Blues. Over a 18 day period City had played two League games, the League Cup final, the second leg of the ECWC quarter-final with Coimbra and found time to work with television to honour their manager. This live show occurred on Wednesday 25 March and City were to face Derby in the League on 27th and Manchester United on 28th, plus they had to play the first leg of the ECWC semi-final with Schalke on 1st. It was incredible that a team would be involved in this at such a busy time but that’s the way it was.

This is Your Life Joe Mercer 1970 MCFC squad

As Joe explains in the show Malcolm Allison was nowhere to be seen. He had been staying with Joe at the hotel and the City manager commented: ‘I’m a great sleeper you see, and subconsciously I heard Malcolm getting up and I thought, oh, he’s going to the bathroom. I thought, well, he hasn’t come back, so he must be having a bath, and then I went back to sleep. I woke about ten and Malcolm had gone, but occasionally this happens – Malcolm disappears!’

Andrews explained that Allison had left early to watch the match which was still on. Joe was flabbergasted: ‘He’s left all his clothes! I’ve had to pack his bag as well!’

During the course of the show, Andrews informed Joe that Alf Ramsey had named the squad he was to take to the 1970 World Cup: ‘I know you haven’t had a chance to hear the news, but I’m going to tell it to you now, that two of your boys have been named by Alf for the World Cup – Francis Lee and Colin Bell. And two more in the twelve reserves – Mike Summerbee and Alan Oakes. Congratulations lads, and to the whole of the Manchester City.’

Joe was overjoyed.

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Joe appeared on several other This Is Your Life shows including in November 1988 when Tom Finney was the subject and in 1980 when Emlyn Hughes was. He also appeared on two for Matt Busby, one in 1958 and one in 1971 (which opened at Maine Road).

The Programme details for the Joe Mercer episode are:

  • Edition No: 274
  • Subject No: 276
  • Broadcast live: Wed 25 Mar 1970
  • Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
  • Venue: Euston Road Studios
  • Series: 10
  • Edition: 18
  • Director: Margery Baker
  • Producer: Robert Tyrrell
  • City supporter and broadcaster John Stapleton worked on the show

The guests were:

  • Norah – wife
  • members of Manchester City FC team 
  • Francis Lee
  • Colin Bell
  • Mike Summerbee
  • Alan Oakes
  • Alan Percival
  • David – son
David & Joan Mercer, This is Your Life Joe Mercer 1970
  • Joan – daughter-in-law
  • Arthur – brother
  • Stan Cullis
Stan Cullis, This is Your Life Joe Mercer 1970
  • Billy Dixie Dean
Billy ‘Dixie’ Dean, This is Your Life Joe Mercer 1970
  • Jim Morris
  • Charles Palmer
  • Matt Busby
  • Frank Soo
  • Walley Barnes
  • Maurice Edelston
  • Bernard Joy
  • Roy White
  • George Hardwick
  • Raich Carter
  • Neil Franklin
  • Stanley Matthews
Stanley Matthews, This is Your Life Joe Mercer 1970

Filmed tributes:

  • Malcolm Allison
  • Susan – granddaughter
  • Albert Dyson – father-in-law

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100 Years Ago Today – The First All-Manchester FAC Semi-Final

100 years ago today (27 March 1926) the first all-Manchester FA Cup semi final occurred. You can see film of that game here and subscribers can read about the match below. Here’s the film from Bramall Lane:

https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/51947/

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Fifty Years Ago Today: Manchester City v Sheffield United and a Tueart Overhead Goal!

League Cup holders Manchester City played Sheffield United in the League on 6 March 1976. It’s a game often overlooked and for the first 50 minutes or so had little to offer. Some thought City were off form because of their exploits at Wembley but suddenly they burst in to life when Tommy Booth latched on to a loose ball. He fed it to Asa Hartford who made it 1-0 after 59 minutes. 

Eight minutes later Booth headed the ball to Dennis Tueart 15 yards out from goal. Amazingly, the City winger repeated his famous scissor kick from the League Cup final to give the Blues a 2-0 lead and total dominance. Joe Royle headed a third after 71 minutes and Hartford netted his second – a devastating low drive – to make it a 4-0 win. Significantly, in the days before assists were formally recorded, Tommy Booth had supplied the final pass for all four City goals.

A dismal game had been transformed into a real demonstration of City’s strengths. The Blues were now seventh, ten points behind leaders QPR, though the Blues had played 3 fewer League games. However, with eleven games left and only two points for a win it seemed unlikely that further trophy success would follow this season.

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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Manchester City’s Mike Doyle celebrates with the League Cup (PAPhotos/Alamy)

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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.

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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.

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. 

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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.