Tag Archives: William Chew

True Blues – Walter Chew

Continuing the weekly series of ‘True Blue’ figures associated with the early years of Manchester City, here’s an article on Walter Chew, a man associated with the first known season of St Mark’s (though there are serious doubts on whether the 16 year old played in the earliest known game). Chew went on to be a key figure in the club’s formative years but there are some myths out there about him and that time. Please note: My MCFC v AVFC programme article earlier this season included a typo which said he was 15 at the time of St Mark’s earliest known game. That should’ve read 16 (his obituary above is from August 1948 which says he was 84 at the time of his death, meaning he’d have been 16 in November 1880). You can find out more about Chew and the latest research below:

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There will be another ‘True Blue’ featured next Monday. Use the tag ‘True Blues’ to find other profiles in this series.

The full series of True Blue profiles will feature:

Lawrence Furniss, John Allison, Joshua Parlby, Walter Chew, William Sumner, Tom Maley, St Mark’s community leaders, Billy Meredith, John Chapman, William Beastow and James Moores.

History Talk Video: The Origins of MCFC

Here’s my presentation on the origins of Manchester City FC, focusing on St Mark’s & the club’s development prior to its re-birth as Ardwick AFC for you to enjoy. It lasts about 1 hour and was recorded on 1 February 2023. There are lots of myths out there, but I focused on the facts and my latest research. 

Discover the role William Chew (that’s right William!) played in the birth of the club and the story of Belle Vue Rangers, an often overlooked part of Manchester City history.

The presentation is all about the origins prior to 1887. This talk is now available to subscribers (see below for details of how to subscribe).

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The next free history talk will take place on 1 March at 6pm. Subscribers can now book tickets to that via this link:

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Book your place on the talk and read more of this website when you subscribe today.

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Book your place on the talk and read more of this website when you subscribe today.

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History Talk Video: The Origins of MCFC

Here’s my presentation on the origins of Manchester City FC, focusing on St Mark’s & the club’s development prior to its re-birth as Ardwick AFC for you to enjoy. It lasts about 1 hour and was recorded on 1 February 2023. There are lots of myths out there, but I focused on the facts and my latest research. 

The presentation is all about the origins prior to 1887. This talk was free to download until 9 February. Since that date it is only available to subscribers (see below for details of how to subscribe).

Subscribe to get access – Annual

Annual subscribers get access to everything posted since December 2020 (interviews, history talks, articles, PDFs of books etc.) and everything to be posted during your subscription. It costs £20 a year (about 5p a day).

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Subscribe to get access – Monthly

Monthly subscribers get access to everything posted since 1 October 2022 and everything to be posted during your subscription. It costs £3 a month (cancel any time).

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Free Online Presentation on the Origins of MCFC – Today at 6pm

A reminder to all those who have signed up that today (Wednesday 1 February) at 6pm (UK time) I’ll be doing my presentation on the origins of Manchester City FC, focusing on St Mark’s & the club’s development prior to its re-birth as Ardwick AFC. This is a free event where I will explain how the club was born and developed. There are lots of myths out there, but I will be focusing on the facts and the latest research. 

A link will be sent to all those who have registered for the event beforehand. I added a final few places and so you may be able to join for this Zoom talk if you register asap via this link:

Register on Eventbrite

I will be presenting the facts and history of the birth of the club and its development in the West Gorton and Gorton areas of Manchester prior to 1887. Dispelling myths and revealing the latest research and evidence of what actually happened.

The link will be sent out shortly before the event is live to all those registered. Only those registered will be admitted into the video chat site. You must register here if you want to get involved.

The talk will last about 1 hour and will be online on zoom, so you should be able to access it anywhere.

The Birth of the Blues

On this day (13 November) in 1880 the first reported game played by St. Mark’s Church side took place in Gorton and ended in a 2-1 defeat by the Baptist Church from Macclesfield.  Both sides fielded 12 players. Please note this is the first reported game and at no time is it described as the first game. There may have been earlier matches. There are lots of myths about the birth of St Mark’s (many of which will be spread today no doubt!), the club that went through various changes that led to the creation of Manchester City in 1894. I would urge everyone to read the facts, rather than the fiction, and take a look at this:

The Origins of Manchester City: Facts Not Fiction

Black shirts, White Cross

Identity is important to any aspiring football team and the fledgling Gorton Association Football Club chose to wear a distinctive kit consisting of black shirts with a white cross pattée emblazoned across the left breast. The smart new kit set the tone for what the players hoped would be a successful period in the club’s development and from the moment it was first worn in 1884 the club progressed and grew, becoming Ardwick in 1887, before re-launching as Manchester City in 1894. 

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