Newsletter #1380

No action for the Blues, but plenty of news on club Thai-ins and promotion, transfer rumours and ex-Blues.

We have opinion on the Club’s beginnings, our ex-captain’s thoughts, politics and football and the usual requests.

NEWS SUMMARY

Global Domination News

Heading East: City have launched a major initiative to increase its profile in China and Thailand this week, as the club attempts to promote itself as a global brand. First came news that Sven and Sun Jihai were visiting Bangkok and Shanghai this week, to be part of some major sponsorship deals. “We will be making four announcements next week, simultaneously in Bangkok, Shanghai and Manchester, regarding new partnership deals,” said a club spokesman. “There is immense interest in English football in the Far East, as well as City, and we would be aiming to crack the Far East, for want of a better word. These deals have come about because of where we are in the Premier League table, they are not things that would have happened in our position last season.” Speaking ahead of the trip this week, the Blues’ boss confirmed: “This visit reflects the global nature of football and it’s good that we are now attracting interest from other countries. Dr Thaksin has asked me to go and with it being international week there will be very few players at training.” There were also reports suggesting that Jim Cassell had travelled to Bangkok to begin the process of opening an Academy for young talent in the Far East. Apart from the sponsorship, some journals saw other motives for the trip. It was thought that City would wrap up the signing of Thailand international full back Suree Sukha, while some saw the whole enterprise as an opportunity for to launch an electioneering campaign for Thaksin Shinawatra, who is currently banned from taking part in the elections on December 23. This speculation was given some credence when Thaksin he wanted to improve the prospects of Thailand’s footballers. “What I would like to change is that I would like Thai footballers to have the opportunity to play internationally. It is difficult at the moment because Thai clubs are not in the top 70 world ranking, so it is difficult to get a work permit. In my position now I am able to create opportunities for Thai footballers and to get more young Thais interested in football, because sport is important in Thailand and getting young Thai people more interested in sport is essential to the future of the country.”

Brand Leader: Thaksin also confirmed that increasing the profile of the club was a major goal. “I will do my best to make Manchester City a global brand, which in the future, will also incorporate Thai products. I would like the Manchester City fan base to grow, and we want to give the fans opportunities to support the club to enable it to grow, making Manchester City a global brand. However, the most important thing is the success of the team at the heart of it, the success of the reputation or the brand of the club is based on the success of the team. Manchester was a city I had heard about for a long time but had never visited until I came to negotiate the purchase of the club. From what I have seen, the people are friendly and kind-hearted, I feel very welcome every time I come here, especially from the City fans. I believe that Manchester will become an important tourist destination for Britain, and now that I live here I will help to support and promote the city, not just the football club, I will help to promote Manchester in any way I can.”

China in Their Hands: The first commercial venture announced this week concerned the club making a ‘strategic partnership’ with Chinese computer gaming company The9 Group. Dr Thaksin said: “This strategic partnership with The9 will be very important for the future of the football club. The9 is a market leader in China’s vast and growing computer gaming market and through their affiliation with EA Sports have the exclusive rights to market the ‘FIFA Online’ football game in China. We believe that our partnership will help Manchester City become a major brand in the virtual world.” The9 Group CEO, Mr. Jun Zhu says: “I am delighted to enter into a partnership with Manchester City. City is a club clearly making great progress and we wish to explore new commercial opportunities with The Blues.” And the first footballing collaboration with China took place this week. City took three players from Shanghai Shenhua on trial. Twenty-one-year-old striker, Gao Lin, Wang Da Lei and 22-year-old midfielder, Mao Jianqing. Will all be attending Carrington shortly. Shenhua head coach, Wu Jinqui, told City’s website: “All three players are young, fresh and talented. They have a great attitude to their football and are being given a wonderful opportunity to impress at Manchester City.” Blues’ boss Sven-Goran Eriksson added: “Shenhua’s coach has told me good things about these young men and I look forward to seeing them at Carrington. They will train with all the senior players and it will be a good test of their abilities.”

hands Across the World: This trial for the Shenhua players is just the start of such co-operation, because City then announced that it was setting up a ‘global alliance’, with a number of clubs from different continents. Along with Shanghai Shenua, City will be forging closer links with Thanda Royal Zulu FC of Durban, South Africa, and FC Moscow. As the club website put it: “City will help its new partners at this grassroots level through coaching exchanges and youth tournaments. Coaching and player analysis techniques, improving player rehabilitation and help with training facilities are also just some of the areas that the Club will share its expertise on. Ties between City and the other clubs will also be strengthened through improved commercial and marketing opportunities and initiatives.” It’s not made clear, but the assumption is that these clubs will be feeder clubs for City. City’s Chief Executive, Alistair Mackintosh stated; “This is an extremely exciting time for Manchester City Football Club both on and off the pitch and we are delighted to announce this partnership with Thanda Royal Zulu FC. Like ourselves, Thanda have developed very strong ties within the community they serve and we are looking to develop a programme of activities which reflect this. Joining forces with Thanda enables us to work on a variety of football and commercial initiatives and raises the international profile of Manchester City.”

Transfer News and Gossip

Pit Bull Wanted: January sales time is fast approaching, in football terms as well as shopping, and Sven was typicalloy cagey when asked about his targets. “Since September it’s been very quiet, now the agents are waking up again, there are more and more calls every day,” he mused. “They probably think we have a lot of money, maybe we have, I don’t know how much we’ll have in January. It’s good because they’ve started to offer really good football players,” Sven added. “If we are going to do something in January, we are not going to buy 8 or 9 new players, maybe 1 or 2. If we are going to buy anyone they must be really, really top quality. We have a good football team, we play good football and to make that better, you must take in top quality.” Later on in the week, S-GE did give a bit more away – he’s interested in a combative midfielder. “We are not geared to win the first ball in the air and we are not particularly good at winning the second ball,” he admitted. “We do not have that kind of aggressive central midfielder. In Johnson and Hamann we have football players, they are not players who will run up and down winning the bits and pieces. So we do not play a game where we move the ball quickly in the air.”

Taking Off the Masc: If Sven’s thinking of a holding midfielder, then the Sunday papers knew who City were going for – namely Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano. Mascherano is deeply involved with Kia Joorabchian, who keeps being mentioned alongside potential City targets – can he sniff the money, perhaps? City would face competition from some outfit called Barcelona, apparently? If not a midfielder, how about a goalie and a striker in a double deal? Look no further than North London – Sven has been linked with moves for Tottenham duo Paul Robinson and Dimitar Berbatov. Berbatov, who has previously been linked with the Stretford Reds, has been put in the £20 million price bracket despite a sluggish season so far. An unnamed City insider told the News of the World: “It’s not just a question for Berbatov of joining a top-four club. Apparently he likes a sense of ‘belonging’ and would feel happy with his mates at Eastlands.” Berbatov’s brother Asen was also quoted as saying this week: “He has outgrown Spurs. He needs to find a bigger club. I think this next season he will go to a bigger club. Next season he will be in a club playing in the Champions’ League.” Robinson, however, has said he expects to stay at White Hart Lane. Robinson told the Ham&High: “We will see what happens and whether he makes any signings, but I am confident I’m the No 1 at this club and that it will stay that way.” And Sven discounted moves for these players. “There are no plans about any of those things,” Eriksson said when asked about the Liverpool and Tottenham aces. “I guess people think we have money available and it is a good guess to put us with these names but if we do sign somebody it will be a big one.”

Having a Crouch: Peter Crouch scored two goals for Liverpool in the highest ever Champions’ League victory last week, an 8-0 thrashing of Besiktas. Crouch’s reward was to be immediately mentioned as a potential City signing, with a fee of £10 million being mentioned. A similar figure was quoted for the services of Russian international Roman Pavlyuchenko. The Sun says Spartak Moscow star Pav has been his side’s top marksman for the past four years and came off the bench against England to score twice and give Russia a 2-1 win, which should see them qualify at the England’s expense. Spartak chief Leonid Fedun revealed City are set to have Pavlyuchenko, 25, watched in their final game of the season this week as they face Zenit St Petersburg. Fedun said: “I know City plan to send a scout. If he carries on playing the way he is at the moment, he won’t be going anywhere.”

City – Or the Sack: Inter Milan striker Adriano admits he fancies a move to City. Rolando Bianchi would move to Inter in a straight swap and Adriano told the News of the World: “I have spoken to the club and I am moving on in January.” He continued: “My first choice is Manchester City and Eriksson, and I know Inter like Bianchi.” Reports suggest Adriano is anxious to move before Inter sack him after his serios falling out with coach Roberto Mancini. For what seems the fifteenth time this week, S-GE denied any interest in this player – although he did give the Brazilian one heck of a snub in the process. “There is no plan to sign Adriano or any other player we have been linked with,” Eriksson told journalists. “People seem to think that we have money for these kind of names, but if we were to go back into the market it would only be to sign a great champion.”

Blue Was the Color: Chelsea boys past and present have also found themselves in Sven’s sights, if you believe what you read. So for instance – Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini is being eyed by City. The Daily Mail says Cudicini decided in the last transfer window that he was tired of playing second fiddle to Petr Cech and wanted to go elsewhere for regular games. At the time, however, Jose Mourinho would not countenance a move and his successor may adopt a similar attitude – but if Avram Grant takes a different view because he has another senior goalkeeper in his ranks in Henrique Hilario, Manchester City would love to snap up Cudicini. Meanwhile, City and West Ham could be ready to offer Portuguese international Tiago a route back to the Premier League – but it remains to be seen if he will be allowed to leave Juventus. Former Chelsea ace Tiago moved to Turin in the summer as newly-promoted Juve beat a host of clubs to clinch his signature from Lyon. However, the combative 26-year-old has failed to seal regular starting slot in Claudio Ranieri’s midfield and he has started just twice in Serie A. Reports in Italy suggest City sent a scout to watch Tiago in action during their 3-0 win over Empoli. It remains to be seen if Juve will be willing to let Tiago go, after they paid £9 million for him in June.

But Jove: City have joined the chase to sign Partizan Belgrade sensation Stevan Jovetic. The 17-year-old is rated as one of the finest prospects in Europe and many top European clubs have already made contact with Partizan about the youngster. City have now thrown their hat into the ring to land the Montenegran after Sven dispatched his right hand man Tord Grip to hold talks with Partizan. Grip met with Partizan’s general manager Gordan Petric last week and the Swede attended a couple of games in Serbia. “We wont be selling Jovetic this January,” Petric insisted. “We are aware that he will go sooner or later, but we wouldn’t let go of his services earlier than the end of 2008. The talks are going on, and City are not the only club in question.”

Ex-Blues’ News

This Charming Man – Part 93: Obnoxious git Joey Barton is to escape punishment over his (shall we say) controversial challenge on Sunderland’s Dickson Etuhu over the weekend. Barton appeared to want to castrate his former City colleague using only his boot, which Etuhu was less than chuffed about. The FA has confirmed that the referee did see the incident, but his view was not clear and he did not take any action. Under FA rules, the association can only take further action if an incident was not seen by the match officials. The Daily Mirror revealed that Etuhu was ready to confront Barton after the 1-1 draw, but was hustled away by teammates and boss Roy Keane. The two players were in the same Manchester City youth team as teenagers and had a bitter rivalry. David Tickle, who was in the same City youth team as Barton and Etuhu, was quoted as saying: “There were a few battles between them. They were fiercely competitive guys.”

Simmo Wins Sack Race: Preston North End have sacked Paul Simpson following the club’s disappointing start to the season. The Championship side are 21st in the table after one win in seven games and the former City winger has paid the price for the poor run of results. “It is with heavy heart that this type of decision has to be made, but the board and I felt that a change was necessary to try and halt the recent slide in results and performance,” chairman Derek Shaw told the club’s official website. “Modern football is a cut-throat industry and is results based and without an away win in the league this season and with three away league wins in the whole of 2007 we felt we had to act now.” Simpson told Sky Sports News: “Supporters sack managers and we had supporters on Saturday who voiced their concerns. The chairman told me that I’ve been sacked because of that 90-minute performance on Saturday. It’s frustrating but it’s been a fantastic learning experience for me and I know that I’m better for it. And I want to get back working as quickly as I possibly can. Hopefully somebody will see what I’ve done here and be prepared to give me another opportunity.”

After-Match Reactions and Comments

Rather Pleasing: On Sunday City went some way to banishing the horror show at Chelsea with a battling draw with in-form Portsmouth. Joe Hart was kept busy early on and he brilliantly tipped Glen Johnson’s shot on to the bar as Pompey poured forward at every opportunity. The Blues should have scored themselves when Darius Vassell somehow missed from Martin Petrov’s cross. But Pompey continued to press and David Nugent was unlucky to see his deflected shot come back off the post late on. City stay in third place in the Premier League. Before the game S-GE had said the following: “You need a mental toughness both home and away in the Premier League if you want to get the results you need. If we can learn from what we are doing at home and try to get some better results away then things could get even better for us. But we have another difficult match next. Portsmouth winning away at Newcastle was an amazing result, but we have the rest of the week to work ahead of our game on Sunday.” You’d assume that the boss was pleased with the mental toughness shown by his players at Fratton Park – and you’d be right. “I think it was a good point today. After being unable to defend at Stamford Bridge it was important this game.” he told Sky Sports 1. “We’ve got one point here. It’s good, against a very good team. I think they could have won, we could have won, so it’s a fair result. We didn’t change much, but we didn’t want to press too high up the field as we wanted to keep compact. I think we did it very well. Fair result, good match and I’m rather happy. I think it’s important we start playing well away from home. At home everything is going rather well, so if we can take some more points away from home it should be good for us.”

Pompey Pride: Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp bemoaned his side’s lack of luck, but remained in philosophical mood. “It was a good 0-0 draw. I think with a bit of luck we would have won the game,” he said on Sky TV. “We hit the post, hit the bar. I felt we just about edged the game. We had a couple of good chances. We defended well today. They had the Vassell chance, but apart from that they didn’t create too many chances. We’ve been in good form. We’ve kept the run going. We’re not going to beat them all.” His Assistant, the former England centre half Tony Adams, preferred to look at the defensive achievements of his team. “The players gave us what we asked them to do,” he told the BBC. “We said keep compact and don’t let Elano float between the midfield and back four. We created bits, not enough to win the game, but confidence is high. We’re picking up points on the road, we’ve turned into a resilient outfit and are creating and scoring goals. We didn’t score one this time but there are a lot of of good signs, a lot of good things happening at Portsmouth.”

Hart Warming: Joe Hart garnered most of the headlines, as well as the Man-of-the Match award on Sky. Sven was asked for his opinion on the 20-year-old shot stopper. “He’s a big, big talent and will be better and better,” he said. “The saves he made were excellent. He’s an under-21 international already and if you’re under-21 goalkeeper in the national team you’re supposed to be one of the future England goalkeepers, although Scott Carson, of Aston Villa, is also very good. It’s not easy to concede six goals in one game and keep going. He made some great saves today and yet he’s still not happy with himself. I know why – it is his kicking.” Despite Hart’s heroics, S-GE is still pondering who his number 1 should be. “Sooner or later I have to decide who is the best goalkeeper,” Eriksson said. “We wanted to give Joe a number of games and we have to give Isaksson that possibility as well, and Kaspar had it, although he is now on loan. All three are good.” Hart modestly focussed on the efforts of the whole team. “We showed as a team that what happened at Chelsea was a one off and a fluke,” he said. “That is three clean-sheets in succession now and we have shown we have the spirit to bounce back. The last three performances have been huge for us. Not maybe in terms of flair and excitement but in showing that we can dig and graft and that the Chelsea game really hurt us. It did and we have shown the rest of the league what we can do. It was a fantastic performance from the team and to come to a place like this and get a point is brilliant for us and for the fans. Portsmouth are one of the form teams in the league and we deserved our draw.”

Joyful Gelson: Making his full league début for City was another 20-year-old, namely Gelson Fernandes, who enjoyed a tidy start to his Premier League career. “I enjoyed it,” said Fernandes afterwards. “I was told that I was starting three hours before the game. It has been an intense joy because I was waiting for that for a long time. I lived it like an award for the move I made. I have not really been surprised because I saw during the week that the manager was working with me on tactics, so I knew that my time was coming. It is just the beginning. I now have to continue working hard and even harder.”

Squad News

Don’t Punish the Pants: Stephen Ireland wasn’t punished by the FA for dropping his shorts in last week’s game with Sunderland – he received a jolly stern letter though. Ireland has been warned as to his future conduct with the FA deciding just to remind the Irish midfielder of his responsibilities and warned him that he faces a substantial fine if he does anything similar again. Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor believed it was the right decision to just give the City midfielder a warning. Rather worryingly, Micah Richards revealed that had he been fit to play, there would have been a double dose of superman-pants- showing. Let Micah explain. “I was supposed to do that celebration with him. We both bought the same pants at the same time. However, I was not playing – and I am quite pleased now because otherwise I would have got the same stick. It was quite disappointing to hear people wanted him to be fined. You have to be so careful nowadays with how you celebrate because it seems that the fun element when celebrating goals is disappearing. It is not as though he was naked or anything and it was not hurting anyone so I do not really see anything wrong with it.” Of Ireland’s wrist slap, S-GE said: “I think it is fair. He shouldn’t be punished too heavily for that. It is nothing, not even to talk about. He has had some problems maybe but above all he is a very good footballer and a good gentleman as well. I talk football with him and he loves to play his football. He played very well last weekend and I am sure he will play well on Sunday. He is not a problem at all, ‘Just go and play good football Stephen’ and that’s it.'”

It’s Miller Prime: Ishmael Miller wants to return to City at the end of the season, his agent has confirmed. Miller is having a stonking season on loan at West Bromwich Albion, but sees his future with City. “He is not going anywhere,” agent Derek Green told skysports.com. “He is doing well, but that is just what we expected and what City thought. The plan was always for him to go on loan and then return and I don’t see how that has changed. Ishmael has proved himself and he wants to keep playing well up until the end of the season with West Brom, after that he will return to City. He wants the chance to work with Sven Goran Eriksson, which young player wouldn’t? And that is how it stands at the moment.” Green was also a bit huffy about the £2 million value the media have put on his client’s services. “In today’s market how could somebody rate Ishmael at £2 million, he has just signed a new deal at City and is arguably the best player in the Championship at the moment,” he said. “Look at somebody like Kenwyne Jones, he goes for £6 million – if you go by that ratio, then who knows what it would take to buy Ishmael. But as I said, Ishmael wants to go back to City – he wants the chance to work with Sven Goran Eriksson, which young player wouldn’t? And that is how it stands at the moment.”

Michael’s Mending: Sven’s updated the press on the progress of Michael Johnson, who’s had an operation on the chronic groin problem that’s been bothering him all season. “He’s had his operation on his groin problem,” the Manager declares, “and if we are lucky we could have back after the international break but I’m not sure exactly. He will be away for three or four weeks. It’s a pity but we had to do something, because he started the season so well but over the last month he has had problems, being not able to train every second day. As a youngster he needs to train without pain so we had to do something, it’s better this way.”

Laird and Logan Leg It: A couple of City juniors have gone on loan this week. Midfielder Marc Laird has gone to Port Vale for a month, while Shaleum Logan’s gone to Scunthorpe for the same period. Laird said “I am really looking forward to it. Port Vale are a big club [You sure? Stoke-based News Ed.] – and I hope to do well here, impress the new manager and help the team climb the table. I like to get the ball down and play, and use my energy to get around the pitch. I like to pass the ball so hopefully I can set up a few goals. It’s a big opportunity for me to do well.” Meanwhile, Logan’s run to Championship side Scunny, who are suffering a full-back injury crisis. He played in Scunthorpe’s 1-0 defeat at Blackpool last Saturday.

OPINION: FIRST VISIT

My first ever visit to COMS, had the fireworks out to welcome me! Very thoughtful of City. Game wasn’t great, but we won. I’ll remember my first visit for a long, long time though. Walking to the stadium, after parking a mile away (told the traffic is bad after the game) allowed me to get a long view of the new stadium, and what an impressive sight is was. Never thought in a million years the Blues would be playing in such a magnificent ground. The whole development is really geared towards football, the reserve ground looked almost as good, and whilst I loved Maine Road, this move has to have been great for the club. Looks as if the team by the way is playing (and winning) to the standard befitting such a venue.

Lines to get in to the ground were short, beer and balti pies good, and my seat afforded a good view, especially of Superman who made an appearance disguised as Stephen Ireland. A little strange to enter into the ground and then walk down to our seats! The playing surface looked perfect, and all were in good voice around us.

Will get to another match I hope in January 2008, but this one will live long in the memory, not for the game, but for the experience. Cannot remember such a vivid evening watching City (well maybe vs. Everton in the FA Cup quarters when we won 3-1 in the 1980’s was close) had a great evening rounded off going to Rusholme (who turned all the lights on and when?, like being in LV!) for a curry and 1 or 2 pints. Owe my brother for the ticket, and putting up with a Yankee Manc., said I was like a “deer in headlights” on arrival at the ground.

OPINION: POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING

Dear fellow City fans, I write this message in the hope you can all join me and a few ex-pats in Sydney to spread the word that Manchester City have an excellent opportunity to win the Premier League this year.

Trust me, the sun hasn’t affected our judgement just yet (although sun mixed with beer has us winning the World Cup).

On the basis of our start to the current season we should all be very optimistic for the current campaign and future seasons ahead.

This year has seen us play some champagne football, not seen in my days since our 81 cup run (I was only 8 then so it seemed champagne) alongside some dogged performances against Premier League football clubs that has resulted in City taking all 3 points; so far excellent you all must agree?

Let’s have a quick peek at our upcoming fixtures: Reading (H), Wigan (A), Spurs (A), Bolton (H), Villa (A), B/Burn (H), Scousers (H); these games will lead us into the New Year.

Who believes we can pick up some serious points from all these fixtures? Come on, hands up I can see you!

Well I certainly do, this will then have us in a very strong league position to further challenge in the second half of the season.

The month is now January and Sven and Frank have also noticed this interesting fact.

Sven, the man who has won numerous trophies and league titles, and Frank, an optimistic and loaded mad Thai bloke, both of whom would love nothing more than bag the League in their first year in charge at Manchester City.

“Let’s strengthen the team, for a final push,” they both gleefully mumble in broken English, and strengthen they do with names I’ve never heard of.

This certainly doesn’t bother me or the sun affected ex-pats, because the last time Sven did this he unearthed some footballing gems that took Manchester City to third in the league after 13 games.

So come on all Blues from all corners of the planet, let’s start believing we can actually win this league, because I honestly do not see any reason we can’t.

Let that buzz be felt on the pitch, in the stands, in far flung towns and pubs across the world.

The Blue Moon is rising, the Blue Moon is rising!

OPINION: POLITICKING

I am currently working in Bangkok for a week. Sven’s visit and the signing of Thai players is causing some concern politically.

The letters pages of The Nation have had several letters in about City being involved in an underhand support for Thaksin’s party, now renamed as the PPP.

Yesterday “Is the Man City Manager on a secret PPP mission?” and earlier in the week the comment that with the election on 23 December that one of the Thai players will make his début on 22 December against Villa, a game that will be screened here in Thailand (watch this space).

Very interesting. I also picked up a City shirt on the market for £3. Can I admit that?

P.S. I visit Bangkok 4 times a year – any City fans meet for games?

OPINION: THAI-INS

Who says City haven’t been supporting Thai institutions for long? Take a look at these highlights from the season 1989/90, and note the advertisement behind the goal Brightwell scores at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYwhLG9ImXA&feature=related

OPINION: HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

In response to the MCIVTA 1378 ‘Humble Beginnings’ item, which Barry Anderton is referring to, I feel that there needs to be clarification, and acknowledgement of a number of people behind the scene, who have worked tirelessly over the years to secure the club’s archive and information about the club.

As a fan of the Blues for a long time now, I have undertaken a few projects, which have given me the chance to get to know and become pretty familiar with a large part of the early story of the club’s history and the people involved, and from time to time have had contact with the club; in fact during the late 70’s I was given a large amount of information by the club, which is now part of the ‘Museum’s Archive’.

The research that Mr Lupson is referring to, and claiming as his own, has been readily available in both the ‘Archives’ and the ‘Public Domain’ for some time; a lot of that early history has appeared in a number of books previously. That first match report Lupson is supposed to have found appeared in Manchester The Greatest City (1997) but had been quoted earlier in Ray Goble’s 1987 MCFC Complete Record.

The Anna Connell story itself appeared in the match programme during 2005-6 and was written in detail in the 2006 version of the Manchester City The Complete Record (there’s 2 full pages on the Connells alone) and Manchester City Football Club 125 Years of Football, both by Gary James.

This was all published and available before Peter Lupson’s book came out in 2006.

If anyone’s in any doubt about City’s knowledge they can check out the Milestones section of the website (you access it by choosing: Club&Stadium/Museum&History/City Milestones).
http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={CFE9542C-55A3-4F75-A396-D3C46CC44FC3}
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manchester-City-FC-Years-Football/dp/1845471032/ref=pd_sim_b_title_4/026-3420621-3859621

It contains only brief information but at least it mentions the Connells and the other key founders.

I really can’t abide people taking credit for others’ hard work and research, and Peter Lupson is claiming credit for work that is not his own. Peter added a great deal from a religious information point of view, I for one didn’t know the difference between a rector and a vicar for example, and he has found out specific details on Anna’s later life, but the areas that he seems to claim most credit for, are the areas that some of us have been researching for years. To be fair he also helped solve the mystery of whether the ‘founder’ was Anna Connell or her sister Georgina (it was Anna, as we have now established) but that’s it, all the talk of welfare, soup kitchens, scuttling/gang warfare he often goes on about came directly from another’s research during the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, and again as already mentioned is readily available to view in the Museum. In fact the match report from the first game is displayed and on a floor tile in the City museum near the entrance, and is clearly visible.

He’s also got facts wrong as well – Rev Connell arrived in 1865 and St. Mark’s football team was formed in 1880 (he claims 1879 for both). For certain this is awkward and I don’t want to get into anything ‘Legal’ but I hate to see people claiming credit and getting facts like this wrong and worse it is published in the ‘Public Domain’ (and others believing them) when many, many City fans, historians, writers etc. have done so much to develop the knowledge of this and have it recorded. The Anna Connell story is one that Peter Lupson enquired about, but I do think someone should point out the facts as we know, have been known for some time, hence this reply.

Peter Lupson has tried to pass it all off as his own, because the Anna Connell story is the most interesting part (because of the Social unrest and Lawlessness taking place at the time). He found a ‘Heroine‘ in Anna and he uses that to promote his book, off the back of our club. In effect though he has used others to make money off their hard work, without giving them the credit.

I hope this has clarified matters.

OPINION: DISTIN’S THOUGHTS

I have not sent in anything for a while and was prompted to by someone a couple of issues ago wondering if Distin was devastated that he left City. The following Q&A with our ex-captain was posted on UK TV text; some of the answers make interesting reading from a City perspective, especially the answers on Micah Richards, Richard Dunne, the investment at City, and the contrast in playing atmosphere at Maine Road, COMS and Fratton Park.

Do you wish you’d stayed at Manchester City, given all the investment that Shinawatra has put in?
When I took the decision to leave Manchester City, the team had no coach, the future wasn’t clear and we didn’t know what was going to happen. A player in that kind of situation can’t wait forever; he has to take a decision. This is what I did!

How do the Portsmouth supporters compare to those you’ve played in front of in Manchester and France?
At Maine Road, we could hear the supporters all game long. The Stadium of Manchester, as a stadium, is 20 times better, but the atmosphere really suffered.

Who’s the best centre back you have played with and the best striker you have played against?
The best would actually have to be Richard Dunne. I have played with quite a few players, but I played with Dunne regularly over five seasons. We understood each other.

You played with Micah Richards at Manchester City. Just how good can he become? Micah Richards can reach the very top of the game. He is so good; I am not surprised at all by his rise. Physically, he is absolutely unbelievable, amazing. He jumps so high, it’s unbelievable. There is no point even trying to out-jump him, he would beat you every time.

Is there a big difference in the style of football played at City and at Portsmouth? Of course. With City, we just couldn’t score. At Portsmouth, we’re an attacking side. We are powerful, with height and weight. Up front we are very quick too. We are attractive to watch I guess, which wasn’t always the case last season with City. We got booed a few times, which I suppose we deserved sometimes.

OPINION: THE GOAT

I just learned that Shaun’s first name is Leonardo. Is this common knowledge or have I been living in a Chinese pipe (to quote Vince Noir who is currently warming the City bench under the pseudonym of Bianchi).

REQUEST: SHANGHAI BLUES VIEWING

Having read Alex Channon’s article last week regarding supporters’ club branches around the world I wrote to him to ask if there was a branch in Shanghai, as that is where I am currently exiled.

Apparently there is not and thus I write to see if there are any Blues in Shanghai (or in China) who read MCIVTA who might be interested in joining a supporters’ club branch here? If we don’t form a branch we can still meet up for a beer and watch a game or two – there are a few bars in Shanghai!

Given Sven’s current visit, impending Chinese sponsorship deal(s) and Sun Jihai’s popularity here, we may soon have the biggest branch in the world!

RESULTS

12 November 2007

Reading               1 - 3  Arsenal               24,024

League table to 14 November 2007 inclusive

                             HOME          AWAY        OVERALL
                    P  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F   A   GD  Pts
 1 Arsenal         12  6  1  0 18  6  3  2  0  9  4  9  3  0  27  10  17  30
 2 Manchester Utd  13  6  1  0 14  1  3  2  1  9  5  9  3  1  23   6  17  30
 3 Manchester City 13  7  0  0 11  2  1  2  3  5 11  8  2  3  16  13   3  26
 4 Chelsea         13  3  3  0 11  3  4  1  2  8  6  7  4  2  19   9  10  25
 5 Liverpool       12  2  4  0 12  4  4  2  0  7  2  6  6  0  19   6  13  24
 6 Portsmouth      13  2  4  0 11  6  4  1  2 12  7  6  5  2  23  13  10  23
 7 Blackburn R.    12  3  2  1  8  5  3  2  1  7  6  6  4  2  15  11   4  22
 8 Aston Villa     12  5  0  2 11  7  1  3  1  7  7  6  3  3  18  14   4  21
 9 Everton         13  3  1  2  9  6  3  1  3 10  9  6  2  5  19  15   4  20
10 West Ham United 12  2  2  2  8  6  3  1  2 10  4  5  3  4  18  10   8  18
11 Newcastle Utd   12  4  1  1 11  8  1  2  3  8 10  5  3  4  19  18   1  18
12 Reading         13  4  0  3  8 10  0  1  5  8 19  4  1  8  16  29 -13  13
13 Fulham          13  2  3  2 12 12  0  3  3  4  8  2  6  5  16  20  -4  12
14 Tottenham H.    13  2  1  3 15 12  0  4  3  8 12  2  5  6  23  24  -1  11
15 Birmingham City 13  2  1  3  7  8  1  1  5  6 12  3  2  8  13  20  -7  11
16 Sunderland      13  2  2  2  6  7  0  2  5  7 15  2  4  7  13  22  -9  10
17 Middlesbrough   13  1  3  2  8  9  1  1  5  4 14  2  4  7  12  23 -11  10
18 Bolton Wndrs    13  1  3  3  7  8  0  2  4  4 10  1  5  7  11  18  -7   8
19 Wigan Athletic  13  2  1  3  5  6  0  1  6  5 17  2  2  9  10  23 -13   8
20 Derby County    13  1  2  3  5 12  0  1  6  0 19  1  3  9   5  31 -26   6

MCIVTA FAQ [v0708.01]

[1] MCIVTA Addresses

Articles (Heidi Pickup)          : editor@mcivta.city-fan.org
News/rumour (Don Barrie)         : news@mcivta.city-fan.org
Subscriptions (Madeleine Hawkins): subscriptions@mcivta.city-fan.org
Technical problems (Paul)        : paul@city-fan.org
FAQ (David Warburton)            : faq@mcivta.city-fan.org

[2] What are MCIVTA’s publishing deadlines?

Deadlines for issues are nominally 6pm, Monday and Thursday evenings bu email. Unfortunately we cannot accept email attachments.

[3] MCIVTA Back Issues and Manchester City Supporters’ home page

http://www.uit.no/mancity/ is the unofficial Manchester City Supporters’ home page. Created in 1994, it is the longest running of the Manchester City related web sites. Back issues of MCIVTA are also hosted on the site.

[4] What is the club’s official web site?

The official club web site can be found at http://www.mcfc.co.uk/

[5] What supporters’ clubs are there?

Manchester City FC recognises three supporters’ clubs: The “Official Supporters Club” (http://www.mcfcosc.com/); the “Centenary Supporters’ Association” (http://www.reddishblues.com/CSAWebsite/CSA.htm) and “The International Supporters’ Club”.

[6] Where can I find out about Points of Blue (formerly the Fans’ Committee)?

The committee operates as an interface between supporters and the club. Points of Blue appears on the club website as a minor entry under “Fans Zone”.

[7] What match day broadcasts are available on the web?

The Radio Manchester (née GMR) pre and post match phone-in is available on the web at http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/sport/manchester_city/index.shtml.

Live match commentaries and archives of games, reports and interviews can be found at http://mcfc.videoloungetv.com/do/preLogin?clubSiteCode=MCFC&CMP=AFC-003.

[8] Where can I find out if City are live on satellite TV?

http://www.satfootball.com/pl.html provides a listing of Premiership games being shown on UK domestic and foreign satellite channels. Useful sites for North American viewers are http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer, http://www.soccertv.com/, and http://www.livesoccertv.com/.

[9] Do we have a Usenet newsgroup?

Yes we do: uk.sport.football.clubs.man-city is our home on usenet. If you are not familiar with usenet, a basic explanation is available here: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,289893,sid9_gci213262,00.html

[10] Do any squad members have their own web pages?

There are a number available and direct links can be found at http://www.uit.no/mancity/players/

[11] Where can I find match statistics?

Statistics for the current season are available from the club site, but for a more in-depth analysis try http://www.mcfcstats.com/.

DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in MCIVTA are entirely those of the subscribersand there is no intention to represent these opinions as being thoseof Manchester City Football Club, nor of any of the companies anduniversities by whom the subscribers are employed. It is not inany way whatsoever connected to the club or any other relatedorganisation and is simply a group of supporters using this mediumas a means of disseminating news and exchanging opinions.

Heidi Pickup, editor@mcivta.city-fan.org

Editor: