Fifty Years Ago Today: Gary Owen’s Debut

The League Cup winners faced Wolves at Maine Road on this day (20 March) in 1976. The game looked like a certain defeat – or at best a draw – for most of the match with Wolves dominating the early stages and even a Dennis Tueart scissor kick was unable to find the net (saved by goalkeeper Phil Parkes). Wolves took the lead via a low shot from future Blue Steve Daley in the 29th minute.

The second half saw City play with more fluidity and came close to scoring when 17-year-old debutant Gary Owen fired in a low shot following a free kick. Parkes managed a good save at the foot of the post. Eight minutes into the half City did equalise through another young player, Ged Keegan. 

After 81 minutes Wolves took the lead again with a Kindon header. Three minutes later a handling offence in the area gave City a penalty which Tueart blasted past Parkes to equalise.

Only a minute later, and with the game entering its final five minutes, Mike Doyle stormed in to head City in front, making it 3-2. The victory for Tony Book’s side was a little harsh on Wolves, particularly after some excellent saves from Parkes, but it demonstrated the never-say-die attitude that seemed to be a key feature of City at this time.

Post match much of the talk was on City’s final flourish, but journalist Peter Gardner was also keen to write about Gary Owen, claiming: ‘Owen provided one of the most startling League debuts I have ever seen… he is essentially an exciting player with abundant flair and ability. He shows too, a crispness in the tackle that comes from a stocky build reminiscent of an early Ball or Bremner. Doubtless his display exceeded the expectations of many as City rallied after the break to come up on the post and snatch victory from the grasp of a Wolves side ready to celebrate.’

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 v Wolves, 2021

On 2 March 2021 Manchester City defeated Wolves 4-1, extending the Club’s unbeaten run to an outstanding 21 games in all competitions (it was widely reported at this time that no other Premier League team had managed more than four wins in a row so far in 2020-21!). In addition City had extended their unbeaten run to a club record equalling 28th game. Post-match Pep Guardiola rightly told Radio FiveLive: ‘In wintertime in England it’s hell and in that time we did something incredible. It’s more than remarkable.’

The 1950s: Film of a FA Cup Tie in 1952

Here’s film of a FA Cup tie between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers from this day (12 January) in 1952: https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/52898/ The game ended in a 2-2 draw at Maine Road before 54,497. The City scorers were Jimmy Meadows and Don Revie (penalty).

The series on the 1950s includes some free articles and some subscriber only features. If you’d like to know more on this period then why not subscriber and enjoy the following article on the 1951-52 season.

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The 1910s: 1909-1910 Division Two Champions

The new series of features on Manchester City in the 1910s starts today with an article on the 1909-10 season when the Blues returned to the First Division as champions after a one season absence. If you’re a subscriber you can read this below.

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Watch These Highlights From 50 Years Ago Today!

You’ve got to watch this film of Manchester City v Wolves from today (29 November) in 1975. City win the game but there’s a deliberate handball that prevents a goal but doesn’t end up with a dismissal; a missed penalty; the referee taking out Mike Doyle and much more. Enjoy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkgSqz0Jeew

You can also read more on the game below if you subscribe to my site.

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City v Wolves: A Manchester City Goal After 14 Seconds!

It’s Wolves x Manchester City this weekend. There are plenty of features on games between the two clubs on my site such as this one… On 22 March) in 1958 City pulled off a surprise draw at eventual champions Wolves. The odds had been against City getting a point with the football world of the time assuming Champions-elect Wolves would easily defeat City. Amazingly, City took the lead after a mere 14 seconds. Here’s a description of the goal (it was an own goal! Is this the earliest own goal ever?):

Here’s the rest of the match report:

To find out more on this period in football then why not read my series on Manchester City in the 1950s. Here’s a 2,200 word article on the 1957-58 season. Enjoy!

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The 1930s: 1936-1937 Champions

My series on Manchester City in the 1930s continues today with a 2,500 word subscriber article on the 1936-37 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 1930s: 1933-1934 Record Crowds And Wembley Glory

My series on Manchester City in the 1930s continues today with a 4,300 word subscriber article on the 1933-34 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: The 1946-47 Season

The new series on Manchester City in the 1940s continues with this feature on the 1946-47 season. This was the first league season after the war and ended with City winning the Second Division title. There were some truly significant – and well attended – games that season and future Liverpool manager Joe Fagan (photograph) made his debut this season too. This subscriber article includes comments from an interview I did with George Smith back in 2003.

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The 1950s: Wolves Defeated

On this day (28 March 1953) Frank McCourt, Billy Spurdle and Ken Whitfield each scored as Manchester City defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1 at Maine Road. The attendance was 27,127. You can read more on this period for Manchester’s Blues with the following 2,000 word article on the 1952-53 season. Enjoy!

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